Page 73 - Poetry-Books

“We sincerely hope this is but the first
Creation of your brain;
And whenever a second tale is evolved,
We beg you will call again.

“If a personal call would be too much,
In the rush of your busy life,
Pray trust your sheets to the U.S. mail,
Or send them up by your wife.

“For a man of your very evident worth
We keep an open account,
And shall always be glad to make an advance
Of cash to any amount.

“We never give up a poem or tale
That once gets into our grip;
But because a good many are sent to us,
We use this printed slip.”

(Here he read from a slip:) “‘Your MS. received,
And accepted with ardent thanks;
We send you a signed and certified check,
And beg you’ll fill up the blanks.’

“It is not for poor devils of editors
To refuse good authors, I ween;
And of course, if we suffer from lack of space,
We enlarge the magazine.”

I awoke; and, alas! it was but a dream,
And my story not even begun;
And I know it must go the usual rounds,
If ever I get it done.

P. S.-
I respectfully beg to submit this verse
While yet the ink is damp;
In case of refusal I’ll call for it
Not having an extra stamp.

— H.S. Huntington (Century Magazine, 1893)

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