The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-08-08
''rHE LUCK OF ROARING CAMP"
Bret Harte's Story Once Refused by q
Publisher.
-, ~ V0rl- Co.,


"And so you were the originator fthe
Overland Monthly Magazine, and really
| stood sponsor for Bret Harte." l said
to Mr.. Roman. of San Francisco.
Yes, Sir. Like some of your prom.
lnent eastern publishers, 1 felt that !
must own and run a magazine So ]
| started the Overland. Its early life was
a struggle, more particularly owing to
its want Of an editorial head. l made
several trials, and finally Mr. Harte's
name was suggested to me. He came
by appointment, and at the very moment
l was considering a change of die for
the cover; The cut representing a griz-
Fly standing alone without surroundings
seemed so bare Of suggestion that had
determined on some alteration. MY part.
ner and chief clerk made several sketch.
es, but they failed to please me. So in
tent were we on this subject that Mr..
Harte was neglected after recognition.
Then, rs matter of easy introduction to
the business he and / were to discuss.
called attention to our want, never
imagining that he could help us out.
What was my surprise when, on taking
pencil he simply drew two lines plac.
ing our grizzly on the Pacific Railroad
The die needed no other finish. 1t SEEM
ed an inspiration, and thought if he
were so apt in this particular, what
might he be capable of in illuminating
the inside pages Of my magazine.
From that moment he had my full
| confidence. After a little talk l conclu-
ded an agreement with him to furnish
an article month, and to generally sup
erintend the magazine. The prelimin-
aries OF that month over, and his opening
articles furnished, he and l started on
| fishing excursion to Sonora. We were
having an excellent time, blending mag
azine with sport, and had determined on
longer stay when a letter from my
partner, after reading the proof of The
Luck of Roaring Camp denouncing 1t
as wholly indecent and unfit for publ
cation in moral magazine caused us
to hastily pack our traps and return.
Mr.. Harte was out of sorts the whole
way, and nursed my disappointment at
his first venture. However, he said he
had other matter that might please the
fastidiOus c., and there need be no
! delay in the months issue. He did not
try to explain away C-'s objections,
but said that the argument was taken
from real life, too real perhaps, and that
maybe his philosophic treatment was at
fault. On reaching my office, met sew
eral of the establishment ready with
their COMBINATIONS, even to up lifted
hands, and all prophesying that such an
article would be a death blow to my
magazine. Mr.. Harte, in the mean time,
had hurried to his home for other MSS.
took the proof home when l went to
lunch, and thought that perhaps after
reading it in that sanctity might get a
better idea how to caution and direct
MIR. Harte as to magazine morals. Pur-
SUING my habit of resting for an hour on
the lounge, gave the proof to my wife
to read aloud, as was common practice,
and lay with closed eyes, expecting a
fearful encounter with her, yet hoping
for some favor from her critical Judge
ment. was struck particularly with
its descriptive force and conciseness in
narrative, and thinking what waste of
imagination over so trivial an acc ident
when I heard a sob, and looking up,
my wife was in tears. That was enough.
rushed to the Office, and, without ex-
PLANTATION, ordered the article inserted,
and so THE Luck OF Roaring Camp"
appeared. Our San Francisco papers
were somewhat careful in their notices,
and waited most eagerly for the east
ern papers. They came, and were uni
/ versal in their praises; and then told
my wife that she was truly the sponsor
of Bret Harte.'