Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-03-18
THE FIRE OF GENIUS
BY LEE VERNON HAMMOND.

Copyright 1917. Western Newspaper Union-)
The winding stretch Of roadway in
Melville known as the Circle contained
four homes, the diversity Of which
made that residential presentation er-
ratio and homogeneous. Fully One-haif
Of the six hundred feet frontage was
taken up by the home Of Robert Ed
son, wealthy retired business man,
who lived entirely TO himself, had come
from the city TO settle down in bache-
Tor solitude, but luxury who made fire.
quent long pleasure tours and was
therefore very little at home.
Next to ii was the modest home Of
VIII Blake. who was a grizzied assist
ant n the local bank, and with whom
Younger brother, Nelson Blake, lived.
Adjoining that was the mere shell OF
Il small cottage occupied as lessee
uy young widow, Mrs. Eunice
Woods and her two-year-Old boy, a
bright, precocious youngster popularity
nicBnamed Buster.
It is with Nelson Blake that we have
To DO. and never was there a more low
able fellow. He was twenty-five,
sturdy and erect, but only Of late
years. From ten to twenty he had
been weakIing, and that period had
compelled a sedentary life devoid Of
play and companionship. Then slowly
he had outgrown his physical ailments,
but ambition and effort had expert
eAced a setback. He accepted a posi-
ton as night Waterman al a manufac-
turing plant and now had held il for
three years.
"Why don't you try something bet
terry his sister-in-law had often asked
him.
TELL sou, Martha" he would reply,
"as you know have an idea there is
some kind Of a place for me in litera-
ture."
But suddenly 3 new element Of In
SEPARATION came into his life. The du
ties Of Nelson al the plant comprised
his taking a comfortable seat near the
burglar alarm. and making only two
rounds OF the place during the hours
Of dark.
Little Buster had been always q IA
voFtte with him. How FAR his pretty
mother was one, TOO. Nelson never al
lowed himself 10 think. Nelson's In
terest I'm mother and ciild. however,
led is his practically adopting little
Buster, 1T must be quite a hindrance
and care for you 10 have the dear little
fellow GA your hands at the places
where you so ont sewing, he remarked
to Mrs Woods, enc day.
"lt is q double burden in a way,
yes, she admitted.
I've a suggestion to make" ven
Wred Nelson @Nou know I have the
whole day To myself All / do is a lit
tie writing, our garden is shady and
ruomy aud pleasant. Buster makes 8
capital chum. He likes me and like
hsm and we alp ays get On famously
together, Let ME relieve you of hi
responsibility while you are compelled
e Pee away from home"
The arrangement was made and Il
had 81 due reward In store for the ae-
comao3ayas Nelson. Little BuSycv
would troop after him and Join him ia
tbe rustic bower and play III his side.
One day Nelson was reading over
aloud one of the little sbIts he had
composed when he CHANGED 10 observe
Buster.
''FI-yah.~ he babhled. when Nelso2
was reading Of s FIRE episode in his
ssory. "0o-oo Make sparks T. and ~
acted forth terror and ShudJerlnE
And on another occasion. when Nel-
son read OF q weeping lady ana her
sorrows, little Buster drew down his
expressive face. Poor lady IS be
mograed. @Make tears come s'more-"
So time drifted on pleasantly for
author aDd audience, until in one week
she latter had three stories re. urued
from IS usuy publishers somehow
the occurrence greatly dampeDed aSpi-
ration ANA hone. Nelson made a trag-
ic resolve lie gathered al his manu-
scripts together and carried them into
tie garden 60 SraS>}e>s spa near The
fence o. his rich nclghhor ar the right
lie placed chem on the ground.
LAST story Buster he told his liz
tie companion. "lm going "a read T.
Then we w5.l set TIRE 10 Ihe heap aaj /
san going 81 forget all about writing
and ~ ,a the city aud yry 10 earu S
living
He read BIS latest effort. s sweet.