The Republican journal., 1871-03-09
How Bret Harte's Famous Story Struck
the First Readers.

How Bret Harte's Famous Story Struck
the First Readers.
Mr.. j. L. Watson, of the Baltimore
Bulletin, relates the history of Bret Harte's
first 'ten strikes" as follows:
To the many curious instances of OBJ
stacles besetting the first appearance of
works which have afterward become fam
Gus, the story called The Luck of Roar
ing Camp''-now recognized as the best
American sketch Of its character, and the
first of series of contributions to the
permanent literature Of the language--is
to be added. The Overland Monthly had
reached, we believe, its third number. 1t
was published by the California firm of
Roman & Co., and printed by Il firm
which may designated as Bacon & Co.
Frank Bret Harte was editor. The pre-
eeeding numbers had been received on
this side of the continent with singular
cordiality The critics raised cry OF
welcome, and proclaimed the new star
which had arisen in the West In Cali
tornia each number was received and eX-
amined with that sort of solicitude born
of local pride and something of proyin-
cial sensitiveness that prevades the family
upon the appearance OF an infant. The
manuscript for No. 8 of the magazine was
sent to the printers, and "The Luck of
Roaring Camp" and its leading story,
was set up. A young woman was EN-
ployed in the firm as prool-reader, and to
her the first proofs were handed. She
read the first column, and laid it down.
''Ths is not fit for lady to read ~ sine
bristled sit must be sent back to the pub
III, t,,l u
out of town, sick His excellent man of
business-a sagacious Scot, with the same
notion of literature that cricket has OF
comic sections-looked at the naughty tale
and shivered. What should ho do Mr.
Romans property wavered on the brink
of destruction, at the hands of an impure
the literary critic of the leading newspa-
per, and an ardent friend of the maya
zine The literary critic stood appalled,
The shocking tale would never do. The
business manager recounted the story to
Mr.. Harte. That gentleman said the tale
| must 90 in. The literary critic-and eke
| - gospel minister-repaired to Mr.. lIarte
and strove with him--yea he wrestled
But the tale must 90 H. The heart of the
business manager quaked but Mr. RO-
the magazine came out.
! It fell flat and cold The literary critic
was maenanimous. lie only mentioned
the title Of the objectionable article The
| discerning News Letters passed bv ON the
other side. The religious weeElies fell
/ shrllv foul of it and misused il sore
( Three weeks must elapse before the At
! lantic press could be heard from. The
united critics east ND their ewes and shook
| their heads. California was about to re-
ceive an awful mau}ino But they. at
| least, had been merciful. They had spared
to strike but tbcv had tacitlv condemned.
/ In a small place like San Francisco. Dos
sessing single literary bantling, the
event was an interesting one First GUN
from the National: I'VE do not know
why this may not be ranked the finest
| tale that has appeared in the MAGAZINES
of the wear. II is n
contribution to permanent literature"
! Second shot from the New York Tribune
and the Springfield Republican. And then
the roar of a cannonadc. From New Or
leans and Mobile TO Boston and NIilwau-
kee, s.The Luck of Roarinp Camp" was
reprinted and bepraised As no other such
/ sketch in our time has been. And vet
/ Mr.. Harte's popular reputation has been
made by Il quaint COPY Of verses which