Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-08-08
"rHE LUCK OF ROARING CAMP"
How Nearly Bret Harte'S Story was
Once Refused by Publisher.
New York san.

New York san
And So YOU were the originator of
the 0Nvlrpi MoRikly Md1a<iac, and
really stood sponsor for Bret Harte" |
said to Mr., Roman, of san Francisco,
"IeS, sir. Like some Of your promi.
nent eastern publishers, | felt that
must own and run y magazine. So |
started the Overland, Its early life was
a struggle, more particularly owing to
its want Of an editoria, head, | made
several trials, and finally Mr., Harris
name was suggested 10 me. He came
by appointment, and At the very mo
ment | was considering change otfdie
for the cover. The cut represented u
grizzly standing alone without surround.
inSs seemed So bare OF suggestion that
| had determined on some alteration.
My partner and chief clerk made sew.
eral sketches, but they failed TO please
me. So intent were we ON this subject
that Mr.. Harte was neglected after y
recognition. Then, MS a matter OF easy
introduction To tho business he and /
were 70 discuss, called attention 10
our want, never imagining that he could
help us out. What was my surprise
when, ON taking pencil, he simply
drew TIVE lines, placing our grizzly on
the Pacific Railroad. The die needed
no other finish, 1t seemed 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 n little talk con-
cluded an agreement with him to fur
nish All article month, and 10 gencr-
ally superinteud the magazine. The
prehminaries of that month over, and
his opening article furnished, he and |
started on fishing excursion to Sonora,
We were having an excellent time,
blending magazine with sport, and had
determined ON n longer stay, when u
letter from my partner, after reading
the proof of The Luck of Roaring
Camp, donouncing II ms wholly in
decent, and unfit for publication i'll il
moral magazine caused us to hastily
back our traps and return
"Mr. Harto was out ofsorts the whole
way and nursed my disappointment
nj 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 ohjec-
tions, but SAID that the argument was
taken from real life too real perhaps
and they maybe his philosophic trent
ment was at fault. On reaching my Of
flee, met several OF the establishment
ready for their COMBINATIONS, even To
uplilted hands, and all prophesying that
such an article would he death blow
to my magazine. Mr.. Harte III the
meantime had hurried to his home for
other MSS, took the proof home
when went TO lunch. and Thought that
perhaps after reading II III that
sanctity might get better idea how
to caution and direct Mr.. Harte us to
magazine morals. Pursuing my habit
of resting for an hour on the lounge, !
gave the proof TO my wife TO read
aloud, rs was n common practice, and
lay with closed eyes expecting fearful
encounter with her, yet hoping for
some favor from her critical judgment.
| was stuck particularly with its de-
scriptive force and conciseness i'll mar
rative, and thinking what n waste OF
imagination over SO trivial nm incident,
when | beard sob, and looking NJ,
my wife vas in tears. That was enough.
rushed o 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 Tor the east
ern papes. They came, and were uni
versal in ,heir praises; and then ! told
my wife that she was truly the sponsor
of Brete Harte."