The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-20
1.-THE LUCK OF ROARING CAMP.
How Nearly Bret Harte's Story Was One
Refused by a Publisher.

[New'York Sun.l
sand so YOU are the originator Of the
Overland Monthly Magazine, and really
stood sponsor for Bret Harte'n said to
Mr. Roman, of San Francisco.
ayes, sir. Like some of your promi-
nent eastern publishers, felt that must
own and run magazine. So | started the
Overland.
ats early life was a struggle, more par
ticularlv for its want of an editorial head.
| made several trials, and finally Mr..
Harte's name was suggested to me. He
came at a very moment when we were
considering a0sAnge of die for the cover.
The. cut representing a grizzly standing
alone without surroundings seemed SO
bare of suggestion that had determined
on some alteration. My partner and
chief clerk made several sketches, but
they failed to please me. So intent were
we on this subject that Mr., Harte was
neglected after recognition. Then, as a
matter of easy introduction 10 the busi-
L i
attention to our want, never imagining
he could help us out. What was my sur
prise when, on taking pencil, he simply
drew two lines, placing our grizzly on the
Pacific railroad. The die needed no other
finish. 1t seemed an inspiration, and I
thought il he were so oapt i'll this particular,
Of what might he be capable,i in Illuminating
the inside pages Of my magazine.
"From that moment he had my full con,
fdence. After little talk concluded
an agreement with him to furnish an ar
ticle month, and TO generally superintend
the magazine. The preliminaries Of that
month over, and his opening article fur
nished, he and started on a fishing ex-
cursion to Sonora. We were having an
excellent time, blending magazine with
sport, and had determined on longer stay,
when letter from my partner, after read
ing the proof of The Luck of Roaring
Camp denouncing it as wholly indecent
and unfit for publication in moral mag
azine' caused us to hastily pack up 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 de-
Law 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
| phiosophic treatment was at fault. On
| reaching the Office | met several of tho
establishment ready with their condemna.
tions, even to upiited hands, and all proph.
esying that such as an article would be a
death blow to my magazine. Mr.. Harte
in the mean time had hurried to his home
| for the other MSS.
~ took the proof home when l went IL.
lunch and thought that perhaps after read
ing it in that sanctity might get a better
idea how to caution and direct Mr.. Harte
as to magazine morals. Pursuing my
habit Of resting for an hour on the lounge,
gave the proof to nv wife to read aloud,
as was common practice, and lay with
closed ewes, expecting fearful encounter
with her, yet hoping for some favor from
her critical judgment. | was struck par
| ticularly with its descriptive force and
conciseness in narrative, and thinking
what waste of imagination over SO
trivial an incident, when | heard sob,
and looking up, my wife was in tears.
That was enough I rushed to the Of
flee, and without explanation ordered the
article inserted, and SO "The Luck Of
Roaring Camp" appeared
"Our San Francisco papers were some
what careful in their notices, and wait
ed most eagerly for the eastern papers.
They came, and were universal in their
praises; and then told my wife that she
was truly the sponsor of Bret Harte."