Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1905 — HE COULD WAIT. [ARTICLE]

HE COULD WAIT.

The Way Lafcadio Hearn Pushed Himself Jnto a Situation. Lafcadio .Hearn at one time in bis career was employed ou a daily paper in Cincinnati. Ho obtained the position by presenting bis application in person to the editor. “We don’t need anybody at present,” said the editor. Hearn sat down on a chair, pulled a book out of his pocket, wiped bis glasses and smiled. “I said we don’t need anybody,” repeated the editor loudly. “I heard you,” replied Hearn affably. “I will just sit here until you happen to ueed somebody.” That editor was not long in “needing” Hearn. For lack of anything better the new man was sent out for a descriptive story to be written in the steeple of the Catholic cathedral. When tbe story was handed in it proved to be a composition rivaling the word painting feats of a Ruskin or a Gautier. He pictured the city as it looked from the steeple and imparted to his description something besides beauty. There was reality in it. Persons who bad viewed the city from the steeple averred that the story was marvelous for photographic accuracy. Now, Hearn was so nearsighted that ten feet from his nose all objects were misty and Indistinct, and it is doubtful if he could distinguish the nearest house from the point to which he had Climbed. —News Letter.