Semi Weekly Interior Journal

A Touching Narrative Told by a New York Magazine Editor.

A sad little story was told yesterday by a co-editor on one of the largest and best-known magazines in the country. "Almost ten years ago," he said, "a short story of considerable merit had been submitted to the magazine by a young woman quite unknown to us or to fame, and had been accepted and paid for. It was filed away with other accepted articles, to be used when its turn came. A short time ago there came a letter from the young girl, asking modestly if that story might not be printed soon, but giving no reason for the request. Two months went on and then came a second letter, written in the same hand, but in weaker and fainter characters, as if the hand that held the pen were scarcely able to guide it. This letter again asked that the story might be printed soon, if possible. 'My physician tells me,' it said, 'that I can live but a few months at the farthest. I had hoped to live to do a great deal of good work of this kind, but you have my first and last piece. I have cared so much for it that I think I could be happier in dying if I might see it in print before I go.' The magazine for the coming month was bound, so nothing could be done with that. The sheets for the second month were printed and ready for binding, and the matter for the third magazine was well under way. We held a short consultation, the result of which was that the story was set up and the sheets containing it substituted for certain sheets in the magazine for the second month. It was no small matter to make the change so late in the day, but we did it and the letter of thanks received from the young girl, who died shortly afterward, more than paid us." N. Y. Letter.