with lack of restraint and often with violence. It exists for the purpose of lifting the quality of our work and the volume of our sales. Misery's proverbially gregarious nature and the desire to alleviate our own suffering brought about the initial cohesion, but the mutual help we are receiving is perpetuating the club. "One can not say accurately, of course, to what extent our bi-monthly gatherings are responsible for the degree of our success, modest though that degree may be. Some of us, if stranded on that over-advertised desert island, would continue to write certainly if the postman passed now and then and probably if he did n't. Still, upper lips are stiffened and backbones strengthened by contact with other unfortunates who must choose between being very miserable not writing or moderately miserable writing. Centering upon the latter and somewhat lesser evil is easier when inspiration is reinforced by the human tendency toward emulation. Whenever one of our members makes a good sale, the rest of us work with determination fiercer than ever. craves "Unquestionably, the club's criticisms are helpful. We get exactly what every writer an audience, which, even when unfavorable, must sit through the performance. Albeit not in specie or in fame, the reward is very definite and comforting. And we do get specific suggestions for revision that increase our chances of selling, and many of the general criticisms help us at the next time of effort. We are able often through market advice of our fellow members and estimates placed on our stories to make up a list of magazines to which a manuscript may be sent with a chance of sticking. "Therefore, all in all, with certain reservations and a number of discounts, I can truthfully say that The Student-Writer Club has done its work well—or well enough for none of us to consider junking it." In the next issue of THE WRITER, and in succeeding issues, will be discussed the details of organization, the origins and experiences of successful clubs, special types of clubs, experiments in co-operative marketing, library co-operation, club headquarters, a suggested local clearing house of information for those anxious to form or join clubs, the making of contacts with editors, the professional advisor, a possible national union of clubs, and a number of similar points. For the present it is perhaps enough to suggest the need for local co-operation among writers, to warn writers that no other agency can in any large way perform the same service, and to indicate some of the general aspects of the manuscript club movement as it is typically exemplified in existing clubs. In order to further the investigation of the present status of the co-operative movement among writers by the collection of additional information, a complete directory of Manuscript Clubs, Writers' Club, and Literary Clubs is now being compiled. It is my intention to address to all of them a questionnaire in the near future. May I, therefore, broadcast the request that the name and address of one responsible member or officer of each existing, or newly formed, club be sent me at once? (To be continued) THEY The Short Story Cases in Craftsmanship, No. 12 A POINT OF HONOR A Story by WILKESON O'CONNELL, analyzed FOR the twelfth of his series of analyzed short-stories, HEY looked at each other wretchedly across the laden breakfast-table. "But but there must be something we can do!" repeated Delland. "Gad, then I wish you'd mention what it is!" returned Sir Harry. "Well we might promise to string up a dozen or so of their officers, if they proceed to extremes against him." "Then," pointed out the general wearily, "they'd string up a score or so of ours to pay us out. And as they hold more prison- 12 26 ers just at present than we do, it naturally 13 27 follows that they'd win at that game in the 14 28 "I figured that if there was to be any word from him today it would come through here, at Paulus Hook, and thought to meet it, should it come," said the general. ""Twas truly generous in Major Kinsley to put his breakfast at our service, while he rode empty to the outposts to see Delland nodded, and continued to play with the chicken wing upon his plate. In a moment he looked up. if aught had been heard of André during 29 | 77 ever 42 90 43 91 "But, gad, General, we must do something!" cried Delland, with an impatient, youthful gesture of one white hand. "We can't let poor John be shot like a dog!" "When you're as old as I am," said Sir Harry gloomily, "you'll have found out for yourself that in most desperate cases one can do but nothing, and will then sit tight accordingly. Of course I shall try every available and honorable expedient to redeem the boy if the worst comes to the worst even to conceding much to Wash ington." "I'd not stop at honorable means only," said Delland recklessly, "if I saw any hope. in means of another sort." "Is there no other itching palm to be greased?" he half asked, half suggested. "Lord, but I wish we'd never thought to oil the one that has brought us to this pass!" said the general bitterly. "We're paying a sight higher than we bargained to for the dubious services of that wretched man, Arnold. And, worse still, he seems to have been unique in their army. When the word came of the boy's capture. Beverley Robinson and I went over a long list of Continental officers whose loyalty might be suspect; and there 48 96 is n't another one in a position where he 49 97 could help André. Even granting that a 50 98 second could be bribed after this in- 51 99 fernal fiasco." 52 100 "Would - would a sudden attack with 53 101 of Washington." all our forces - ?" Sir Harry shook his head. "How could we make a sudden attack on West Point?" he inquired. "They could shoot him six times over, and have ample time left in which to prepare for defense, before we'd gone half-way up the river. Besides, the place is impregnable." 44 92 47 95 54 102 The general picked an egg out of its nankin and prepared to chip the shell. "Yes," he considered idly, "if dishonorable means were ever justified, they would be so now. But, I fancy, they'd prove as impractical in this case as those we have just discussed. No, our only course, and our only hope, is to trust to the clemency "And that is like to prove less than the 55 103 shadow of a broken reed!" exclaimed Del56 104 land bitterly. "Washington being noted, 57 105 not for his clemency confound the man 58 106 but for the more than Roman rigidity 59 107 of his justice." 66 60 108 "And from that also we may hope some61 109 thing," said Sir Harry thoughtfully. "When "But a small party in disguise," said 62 110 André left our lines, he bore a safe-conduct Delland, "might be able to penetrate un- 63 111 signed by an American officer. With that challenged to the place where he is held 64 112 on him, a rigid justice could not hold him, and effect a rescue before the enemy were 65 113 save as a prisoner of war, even though he awake to what was moving. 'Tis the last 114 was taken out of uniform and within their thing they'd be expecting, and in the re- 67 115 lines. For my own part, I am praying that sultant confusion 68 116 Washington may prove as just as he is re"Lad, lad!" said the general, smiling 69 117 puted, or that he may discover some hitherwryly. "You've been at those romances 70 118 to unnoted sentiments of mercy, when he again! 'Tis a suggestion worthy of Don 71 119 omes to judge a man of André's pleasing Quixote and does more credit to your heart 72 120 nature." than your head. The Continentals, from now on, will be as suspicious as the old husband of a pretty woman. D'you think I want to lose both my aids in the same way?" spoon with which he dipped the yolk from 125 173 be welcome in any society of loyal gentlethe shell. 126 174 men? Ask him- but no - there's no need "Now, who the will that be?" he 127 175 for me to break bread with him by inviting stuttered. "Bah! I'm in such a state that I 128 176 him to breakfast Is there a morningcan think of naught save the boy, and 129 177 room to this place, Hawkins? Well, show fancy every sound has some bearing on his 130 178 him in there, and presently I'll violate every predicament!" 131 179 sensibility of my nature by receiving him. "Gad, what a man he was!" Delland 132 180 Gad, but it's revolting!" broke forth miserably. "Laughing, loyal, 133 181 The soldier still hesitated by the door. fearless, generous, mettlesome! A soldier's 134 182 "A-begging of your pardon, sir," he said, model, ready to take any risk to help a 135 183 "but I seed a flag of truce a-landing from friend in need or turn a trick against the 136 184 the river, as I was an-opening the door to foe!" 188 General Arnold, sir." "A flag?" cried both officers together. Then Delland added 137 185 "And talented, too," added Sir Harry, 138 186 "beyond the gifts of most. Far more so 139 187 than Burgoyne. D'you recall him last 140 "Tis the word from John!" as Sir Harry Twelfth Night, standing in front of the 141 189 breathed, "Thank God!" thus using the fire, and reciting that comic ballad he had 142 190 Name for the first time that morning demade on Tanner Wayne? Well, Wayne's 143 191 voutly. people, if not the Tanner himself, have 144 192 "Bring the bearer to me at once," dicaught the poet now; and by — if they 145 193 rected the general; "he must be at the harm one hair of his head, I'll rip all North 146 194 stoop now. 'Tis only a step to the river. America from gullet to croup He 147 195 But wait one moment there, Hawkins, bestopped short in the vainness of the boast, 148 196 fore you go to bring him." He paused for and went on lamentably. "Lord, Lord, why 149 197 a quick reflection. "It might be best for did I ever let him start on this wild-goose 150 198 me not appear personally in this matter. chase? I might have known-I should 151 199 Certainly, I must not seem too eager. Hark have foreseen that the risk involved was 152 200 out of all proportion to the object gained." 153 201 "Yes," agreed Delland, with almost dis- 154 202 courteous readiness, "for now we're out 155 203 West Point and several thousand guineas 156 204 charge, tell him the same. And show him in of the king's gold, and what have we got 157 205 here to me, in either caseto show for it?” 158 206 stand?" here, my man, if this flag asks for Major Kinsley by name, tell him Colonel Flint has taken command of this post recently. And if he asks merely for the officer in -you underThe answer came from an orderly at the 159 207 The soldier saluted and vanished, and dining-room door. 160 208 the general rose nervously from the board. 209 Captain Delland looked at him inquir210 ingly. "General Benedict Arnold, a-hearing you were here on this side of the river, begs to wait upon your Excellency." 161 162 Sir Harry pushed his chair back vio- 164 212 it is our duty to treat courteously?" lently. 165 213 "Gad, I'd forgot him!" said Sir Harry. "Go you in and treat him courteously till I finish with this flag-Lord, if I could only guess what it portends!" "By- I won't receive him!" he 166 214 swore, and as quickly changed his mind. 167 215 "Curses on it, but I suppose I must! It's 168 216 our duty to treat him with all outward 169 217 Delland also disappeared into the dusk courtesy, even though he be a turncoat and 170 218 of the hall, and a moment later his voice a traitor. But it is infernally tactless in 171 219 was heard in greeting and converse from him to wait at all. Does he fancy he can 172 220 the morning-room on the other side of the partition. He was answered by high, light, 221| 269 received," said Captain Ogden noncombut full and masculine tones that were 222 270 mittally. "I may say that he is very closely pleasant to the ear; yet Sir Harry's mouth 223 271 guarded. Two American officers of unwas puckered in sour disgust as he hark- 224 272 impeachable integrity are constantly in ened to them. 225 273 the same room with him." "Captain Aaron Ogden, of the Continen- 226 274 "That must be very irksome," frowned tal Army, come in under the protection of 227 275 Sir Harry. "Are such precautions necesa flag of truce," reported the orderly at the 228 276 Sary?" door; and Sir Harry turned to greet the 229 277 "We have taken too few in the past," 230 278 said Captain Ogden, "to neglect a single American officer. He was a squarely built man in the 231 279 one at present." height of middle-age, broad of shoulder, 232 280 There was another awkward pause in brow and jowl, with stern gray eyes under 233 281 which could be heard Delland's voice and square gray brows, and a mouth as firm 234 282 the other's conversing politely in the and impassive as if it had been carved from 235 283 morning-room. Sir Harry stood turning the granite. The general did not offer his hand, 236 284 dispatches over and over, longingly, bebut this was the only ordinary and cus- 237 285 tween his nervous fingers, while the Ameritomary social form omitted from his greet- 238 286 can officer stared absently through the open ing. He invited the envoy to break his fast, 239 287 window at the motley colored autumn drink a toddy, and take a windsor, the 240 288 world without, which was a-swirl with flylast of which only was accepted. Seated, 241 289 ing, falling leaves from the maples. with Sir Harry leaning on the bullet- 242 290 "Major André," the American began scarred mantelpiece opposite, Captain Og- 243 291 slowly, "has endeared himself to every one den opened a scrupulously brushed, if 244 292 of our officers with whom he has come in somewhat shabby, dragoon's coat, and took 245 293 contact. They are all his advocates. The some papers from the inside pocket. 246 294 gallantry of his conduct under the most "I'm from West Point," he said, "and 247 295 trying circumstances, the sweetness of his carry dispatches that should be forwarded 248 296 disposition, the firmness with which he as speedily as possible to his Excellency, 249 297 faced the fatal sentence- " General Sir Henry Clinton. They relate to 250 "The fatal sentence!" The words were that gallant, but most unfortunate, young 251 299 fairly jolted from Sir Harry's lips. man, Major André. This is a letter from his 252 300 "Yes," Ogden looked up in impassive own hand. This, a communication from 253 301 surprize. "You were not in hope of any General Washington. Will you see, Colonel 254 other, were you?" Flint, that they are sent to New York at 255 303 "I was in hope," said Sir Harry sharply, the first available opportunity?" 256 304 "that General Washington might might "Certainly," said Sir Harry, his fingers 257 305-be persuaded to show a trifle of soldierly trembling slightly as he grasped the papers. 258 306 generosity, or humane mercy toward "I, myself, will see to it that they come to 259 307 toward one who can endear himself the general's own hand - Major André, he 260 308 even to a rude and ruthless enemy!" - ah - ?" 261 309 "As you doubtless know," said Captain He stopped abruptly, and Captain Ogden 262 310 Ogden evenly, "our present strait is desfilled the pause with an inquiring bow. 263 311 perate. British gold eats like an acid into "He is ah-treated, I would say, 264 312 the positions which British valor has been with the consideration due a prisoner of his 265 313 unable to conquer. To stop this distinterank in the British Army?" 266 314 gration from within, an example a sharp "His letter to Sir Henry Clinton will 267 315 example — is needed. And Major André is show, I believe, what treatment he has 268 316 the nearest that comes to hand." is 298 302 |