Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-11-10
A NOTED AUTHOR.
Some Interestin. Passages in the
Life of Augusta J. Evans, the
Author Of ssBeulah.'

"Elzevir" in Boston Herald.
OF successful novels published by Mr.. ]. G.
Derby, ''The Minister'S Wooing," by Harriet
Beecher Stowe, was the first. His next sue
cess was "Beulah," by Augusta ]. Evans.
One day Miss Evans called at Mr.. Derby's
office and left the manuscript, which he took
home and read to his family, who all thought
it well worth publishing. Mr.. George Ripley,
who "read" for him on salary, as well as
for other houses, also pronounced favorably
on the book, and it was no sooner published
than its success was made. Few novels
have ever reached larger sale. To show
that what one publisher thinks good is not
necessarily thought well of by another, l
might mention that "Beulah" was rejected
by D.Appleton & Co., their reader, j. w.
Palmer, of the Baltimore Exchange, having
pronounced against it. The first review OF
the book that appeared was from his pen and
was condemnatory; the second appeared IN
the old Courier and Inquirer of this city, and
was written by its editor, Mr.. Spaldlng
afterward editor of The Times, who praised
it in the strongest terms
Soon after this review appeared, Mr.
Spaulding wrote to Mr.. Derby, and asked
him who was the author of this book, and if
it would not be possible for him to meet her.
He had found kindred soul, and was impa-
tent to meet in the field. Mr.. Derby answered
that the lady was a southerner, but that she
was then in New York, and he would convey
Mr.. Spaulding's wishes to her and give him
answer. Miss Evans, who was staying at the
st. Nicholas hotel, expressed her willingness
to meet Mr.. Spaulding, and Mr.. Derby
brought him up and introduced him. The
acquaintance ripened into friendship, and
the friendship into something more, for it
was not long before the northern editor
and southern novelist were engaged to be
married.
In the mean time the civil war broke out.
Miss Evans was a secessionist of the strongest
type, and Mr.. Spaulding was as strong for
the Union His political feelings, however,
did not interfere with his private friendships,
| and an opportunity offering he went south to
be married. To his surprise he found that
his promised bride no longer felt the same re-
| gard for him. The gulf between them was
| impossible, and so they parted. Each mar
ried later on. Miss Evans, now Mrs. Wilson,
| lives in her beloved southland Spaulding is
| no more He died soon after his marriage.
While the war was raging, Miss Evans wrote
| another novel called "Macaria," which was
published in Richmond, Va. A copy of this
was sent 10y the author to Mr.. Derby, who
was then temporarily out of the
publishing business. He, however, con-
tinued his interest in this author, and
he took the book to Mr., J. B. Lip
pincott to see if he would not PUBLISH Mr..
| Lippincott at once agreed to, and promised
the author the usual 10 per cent. royalty,
though by law she was not entitled to any
thing, her book having been published in the
Confederacy.
While the plates we're being made, Michael
Doolady of this city, bookseller of prac-
teal methods, got hold of a copy of "Maca
| ria" and was getting it set up as fast as the
printers could work. Mr.. Lippincott, hear
ing of this, wrote him that he would with
| draw from the field if he, Doolady, would
sign contract to pay him, for the author, 8
| royalty on its sales, otherwise he would sci
the plates at cost to another publisher. Doc
lady agreed and the contract was signed.
In the mean time the war was over, anC
one day Mr.. Derby received call at his Of
flee i'll Spruce street from lady. She wa
ushered into his presence, and, just AS he wa
about to ask her business, he recognized Mis-
Evans. "Why, Augusta said he, "wha
does this mean?' for she was very shabbily
attired and pale and wan. 81 have come
north, said she, with my brother, who i
sitting out on your doorstep now. He wa
wounded in the war, and want one of you
northern doctors to look after him." 9TH
first thing for you to do" said Mr.. Derby, III
to come right to my house with your brother
the second to get some new clothes; thes'
you have on are very shabby" II know
they are" she replied, but it can't b.
helped. We lost everything by the war, an'
I haven't a penny" "Why, yes yol
have" said Mr.. Derby, II have $1,000 o
your money in the bank" Impossible
Where did it come from?" "From the sale
of 'Marcalia,' and have been waiting t.
know where to send it."
i Of course this was precious windfall, ant
it was not long before Miss Evans was on he
feet again. Since that time Mr.. Carleton
has published Miss Evans works Her Est
Elmo" she dedicated to Mr.. Derby.