Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 239, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1911 — * ht THE FORCE OF HABIT [ARTICLE]

* ht THE FORCE OF HABIT

By C. ROBBINS ANDREWS

There was revolution in Mexico. General Alvarez was suspected by the president and closely watched. One day a visitor called at the general’s headquarters. “General,” said the visitor, taking a manuscript package from his pocket, "knowing your reputation as a man of literary taste, a critic of the highest order"— “Cut that out,” interrupted Alvarez. “I was once chief reader for a publishing house.” “I see. I have here a book of poems”— / “Poems of any kind are not available. We have a whole robm full of— Excuse me: the force of habit Is great. I was thinking I was back in the editorial sanctum.” “But these poems of mine,” contfhued the visitor, “I consider to be In that lighter vein which is the only kind of poetry now popular.” “tlave you tried the Mexican Popular Magazine?” “General,” replied the visitor Impressively vis ter a pause, “if you have been an editor I have been a contributor. Pm on to that honeyed fashion of getting rid of ‘an author.’ ” The general settled back in his chair as one bracing himself to hear an author’s reason why his experience is more valuable than other experiences. Those in the room went about their various duties. The visitor met the general’s eye and winked at him. The latter caught on. “These poems,” continued the man with the manuscript, “were composed during a period of deep feeling. The spring was coming on and naturfc was awakening.’’ ' “Yon can wake me when you get through,” yawned the general. “One word more. Tearful April, with its clouds and thin gilded linings, had passed into June, and the rbscs were unfolding their delicate petals.” The general closed his eyes. “I seized iny pen and yielding to the balmy”— The general snored. The visitor looked about him and. seeing that the others in the room were becoming Infected with the drowsiness that had fallen upon their chief, laid his manuscript on the table and silently withdrew. As soon as the door bad closed behind the author the general awoke. “Has he gone?” he asked with a shudder. “Yes, general.” Taking up the manuscript Alvarez remarked: “He has put his address on it, but I don’t see any stamps for its return. However, here’s a mem stating that he will call tomorrow." That night Alvarez took the manuscript home with him. He was not interested in the literary form, or in the meter of the verse. Even the divine afflatus, if it was there, failed to move him. -He puzzled for hours trying to find a key to a secret message. At last, by skipping all but every tenth word, be succeeded. He was invited to Join the revolutionists, carrying with him the force under his command. For so doing he was to be appointed minister of war. Having read all of the message he coaid find to read, and being satisfied that there was no more of it! he wrote his acceptance of the proposition and laid down his plan of operations by making a dot over the words required to make up his message. This done at daybreak, in the morning be went to bed. When the author came the next day for his manuscript the general said to him: “I am very much obliged to yon for your kind permission to read your beantifnl poems. I have not been ■truck so forcibly with the poetic fervor of any manuscript in many years. In these verses is the very sonl of poetry. But in”— “Never mind that.’’ said the author. “I have beard It a million times before. I know what you’re coming to.” “Oh, I forgot” replied the general. “I am not now in the position of a publisher: you wish simply my honest Individual literary opinion. Well, your poems are tommyrot. There is neither versification nor feeling nor thought in them. But I’ll make a suggestion, They are so bad that If you can make them a little worse and start a few of them In some publication intended to be popular, with a curious story about the author. I’m not sure but yon could get a big sum for them.” “Thank you, general, for your very practical advice.” The general threw the manuscript at the author, telling him to get out, and if he ever came again on anch a matter he would have him arrested and his poetic ambition cut off by the garrote. The young man caught the package and, departing, made his way to the commander of the Insurgent army. Laying the pages on a table, the message of General Alvarez was quickly deciphered. A tow days later at dawn the rebels moved on the government works and were joined by the troops of General Alvarez. The revolution was accomplished, and Alvarez vVas made minister of war, according to the agreement Later the deposed president asked the new one how be had managed to communicate with Alvarez. He was fliformed of the plan. The young man Who accomplished it was made a cabinet minister.