r of his famous house. "You
are young, Mr. Hopkins. I advise you not to try to force your article of
poetry on the market. The B----, our friend, there, that is, knows a
thing that will sell as soon as he sees it. You are in independent
circumstances, perhaps? If so, you can print--at your own
expense--whatever you choose. May I take the liberty to ask
your--profession?"

Gifted explained that he was "clerk" in a "store," where they sold dry
goods and West India goods, and goods promiscuous.

"Oh, well, then," the publisher said, "you will understand me. Do you
know a good article of brown sagas when you see it?"

Gifted Hopkins rather thought he did. He knew at sight whether it was a
fair, salable article or not.

"Just so. Now our friend, there, knows verses that are salable and
unsalable as well as you do brown sugar.--Keep quiet now, and I will go
and get your manuscript for you.

"There, Mr. Hopkins, take your poems,--they will give you a reputation in
your village, I don't doubt, which, is pleasant, but it will cost you a
good deal of money to print them in a volume. You are very young: you
can afford to wait. Your genius is not ripe yet, I am confident, Mr.
Hopkins. These verses are very well for a beginning, but a man of
promise like you, Mr. Hopkins, must n't throw away his chance by
premature publication! I should like to make you a present of a few of
the books we publish. By and by, perhaps, we can work you into our
series of poets; but the best pears ripen slowly, and so with
genius.--Where shall I send the volumes?"

Gifted answered, to parlor No. 6, Planet Hotel, where he soon presented
himself to Master Gridley, who could guess pretty well what was coming.
But he let him tell his story.

"Shall I try the other publishers?" said the disconsolate youth.

"I would n't, my young friend, I would n't. You have seen the best one
of them--all. He is right about it, quite right: you are young, and had
better wait. Look here, Gifted, here is something to please you. We are
going to visit the gay world together. See what has been left here this
forenoon."

He showed him two elegant notes of invitation requesting the pleasure of
Professor Byles Gridley's and of Mr. Gifted Hopkins's company on Thursday
evening, as the guests of Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, of 24 Carat Place.

CHAPTER XXVI.

MRS. CLYMER KETCHUM'S PARTY.

Myrtle Hazard had flowered out as beyond question the handsomest gi