This is the worst yet! This jobbernowl seems to think "The Wine of
Wizardry" a story. It should "arrive" and be "dramatic"--the
denouement being, I suppose, a particularly exciting example of the
"happy ending."
My dear fellow, I'm positively ashamed to throw your pearls before any
more of these swine, and I humbly ask your pardon for having done it
at all. I guess the "Wine" will have to await the publication of your
next book.
But I'd like to keep this fellow's note if you will kindly let me have
it. Sometime, when the poem is published, I shall paste it into a
little scrap book, with all the notes of rejection, and then if I know
a man or two capable of appreciating the humor of the thing I can make
merry over it with them.
Sincerely yours,
AMBROSE BIERCE.
[The Army and Navy Club, Washington, D. C.,
My permanent address,
February 18, 1905.]