It is now the
fashion to make everything pleasant for the reader." What am I to do?
I write dashingly again; I put a great deal of brilliant stuff in the
article; and when I bring it he takes his red pencil and strikes out
all that is commonplace and leaves me only the brilliant stuff
remaining.
COLONEL.
Are such things possible?
SCHMOCK.
How can I exist under such treatment? How can I write him only
brilliant stuff at less than a penny a line. I can't exist under it!
And that is why I'm going to try to get out of the business. If only I
could earn twenty-five to thirty dollars, I would never in my life
write again for a newspaper; I would then set up for myself in
business--a little business that could support me.
ADELAIDE.
Wait a moment! [_Looks into her purse_.]
COLONEL (_hastily coming forward_).
Leave that to me, dear Adelaide. The young man wants to cease being a
journalist. That appeals to me. Here, here is money such as you desire
if you will promise me from this day on not to touch a pen again for a
newspaper. Here, take it.
SCHMOCK.
A Prussian bank note--twenty-five thalers in currency? On my honor, I
promise you, on my honor and salvation, I go this very day to a cousin
of mine who has a paying business. Would you like an I.O.U., Colonel,
or shall I make out a long-term promissory note?
COLONEL.
Get out with your promissory note!
SCHMOCK.
Then I will write out a regular I.O.U. I prefer it to be only an
I.
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