The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-02-21
MAGAZINE EDITING.
CURIOUS STORIES TOLD AT, A LOTUS cLUR
BANQUET.
From a New York Letter.


and pretty well-known journalist being
called on for speech, after the uproarious
habit of that intellectual circus. rose and
told story sit might be called" said
he, with sly look at the head of the table,
where sat, in presidential majesty, a rather
corpulent, slightly bald, middle-aged man,
sit might be called How Igot into a
magazine y Then he changed to the
other foot, blushed slightly, leaned on his
fork, and said:
81 had an article once which thought
would make six pages in magazne-if it
got chance. I concluded TO give the At
ldnuc Monthly the benefit of it, because
that was superb creation of the human
intellect and ought to be encouraged.
[smiles and raps onthe tablet Isent it to
that periodical, saying that it was my
maiden effort, and asking the editor to send
me the 500 by draft or money order. In
three weeks it came back, to my utter
amazement, with the printed notice that it
was excellent, but not exactly adapted, etc.
| saw that the editor of the Atlantic was a
fool. ICheers around the table and cries of
satirical APPROVAL I sent it TO another
well-known magazine, offered it for $50.
1t came back in two months, just when l
was looking for it to appear. That maga-
zine, too, was evidently failure! [ then
sent it (pr1ce $15) to frst-class weekly,
that printed just such things as my sketch,
Mary Wanley's Guide but not half as
we'll written. [Cheers and encouraging re-
marks. Again twas sent back. Laugh
ter. I could not understand it. / could
not believe our periodical literature was
decaying SO fast. Iofered it to another
journalist for nothing, telling him that l
was beginner, that this was the first effort
of the sort I had ever offered to any ybody,
and I watched his face as he examined it
suspiciously, and finally returned it to me,
saying that the style was faulty ; the idea
was good, though it might have been used
heretofore but with study and careful
practice I would make, perhaps, in time.
etc. [Laughter.l
81 was mad, gentlemen said the
speaker, amid the roars of the company,
and, leaning on the chair with his other
hand, he went on: "Something heroic
must be done! Two years had passed. 1t
was now 1871. / resolved to storm the
citadel. borrowed my brothers sealskin
overcoat, SO as to look as imposing as pos
sible and struck for an illustrated magazine
/ had not tried--one of the finest works of
art in the world. The doorkeeper stood
briskly aside as I went in and asked for
the editor, whose name did not then
know. I was speedily ushered into the
presence of o young man, who asked me to
be..seated and inquired my business. To
see the editor He would examine my
manuscript. Very we'll / said, still
standing. / must have an answer in if
for Boston. re parry ua,
and tac.turn, and reached for the manu-
script which he had taken. Il will see
Mr.. - said he, naming the editor him
self. The latter appeared. I'VE will send
this to you by mail said he, if it is net
used.' Il can leave it with you only fifteen
minutes, I replied. He looked surprised
and glanced at the title. You can surely
leave it one night, he expostulated. NO.
rejoined resolutely, / have other uses for
it, In that suppose he scented the oppo-
sition house, for he took off his overcoat
Che was just going honey and said, | will
look 1t over now.' TCheers around the
table.
"He was fine-looking man as he sat
there in the dying twilight-[cries of Oh y
sAhn PA rather corpulent, slightly-bald,
middle-aged man Cat tEis the company
turned toward the presiding officer, who was
as red as lobster, and then they roared
with glee), and he looked up in about ten
minutes and said !: Il will take this
Mr.. Oliver, please make out check fol
$5O.' 'What?' I asked, '$5o9 My price
is $685. sAh said he passing the manu-
| script to me, 1T is more than we ever pay
anybody except famous writer's. / delivered
a stately bow, took the roll of paper and
turned out of the door. We'll said he
calling to me, well take it at $125; ane
Mr.. Oliver made out my check. [Cheer'
and roars of laughter. The man at tht
head of the table had turned sort of in
digo blue.l
i aThe worst oft is, or the best of it,
said the narrator, that / have not seen o
heard of that sketch during all these sever
pears!"
i The Lotus Club hall rang with cheers AMI
laughter, for his manner of telling th
story was indescribably droll, and then al
parties turned toward the presiding officer
q who was recognized as the hero of th
narrative.
He rose slowly to his feet the blue wen
ont Of his face, and even the scarlet turne
to the rosy flush which is habitual to it,an
, he smiled cheerfully by the time the cheel
/ and outlaws which greeted him had die
| away.
, aThe fact is, y he began deprecatingl,
} and then there was another great roar
5 laughter. g Yes, well remember the ci
) cumstances. accepted the sketch to kas
! it's writer from inflictlng it on some weak
j | magazine. Loud laughter ] Our house
1 rich / can afford to stand in the breac
q Fit were not for the work we do in buyii
s i articles capable of injury, the mortali
d among magazines would be incalcnlabl
q Laughter and cheers. Yes, gentleme
K when a person with Tightly Temperance
d comes in [langhterl, we exert every ner
II to get possession Of his manuscript
prevent the desolation that might oth'
wise ensue. [Cheers and jingliug Of glasses
s Snch an article might fall into the han
= =. Of men who would inadvertently print
= lCheers and cries Of Hear hear'l
= lock it up in strong safe
!, The company, led by the Journalist, v
= biushed again at his awkward positis
~ then drank to the sagacious magazi
while the editor went on seriously 70