Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-25
THE QUAKER POET.
His Early Work and Poor Pay
His No.E1ethod Way of Turn.
ing Out Work
New York Tribune Interview

New Ork Tribune Interview.
- was unlike any of the rest l think, for
never had any methods. When 1 felt like
it wrote, and I neither had the health nor
the patience to work over it afterward It
usually went as it was originally completed
Emerson wrote with great care, and would
not only revise his manuscript carefully but
l have often heard him say that he would
frequently Tewrite the article upon the
proof-sheets Longfellow, too, was very
careful writer. He wrote and rewrote, and
would lay his work by and then revise it. He
often would consult with his friends about
his productions before they were given to the
world. He therefore sent his work out as
perfect as great care and brilliant intellect
could make it. I was not so fortunate I
have lived mostly a secluded life with little
patience to draw upon, and only a few
friends for associates What writing have
done has been for the love of it. have ever
been timid of what I have penned. 1t is
really marvel to me that have gathered
any literary reputation from my produc-
Gons
'Much that have written wish was as
deep in the Red sea as Pharaoh's chariot
wheels. Much of the bread cast on the wa
tiers l wish had never been returned. It is
not fair to revive writings composed in the
shadow of conditions that make even ac-
ceptable work impossible. In my early life I
was not favored with good opportunities.
Limited chances of education and a lack of
books always stood in my way. When I be-
gan to write had seen nothing and virtually
knew nothing of the world. Of course,
things written then could not have been
worth much.
Gin my fathers house there was not a
dozen books, and they were of severe type
The only one that approached poetry was a
rhymed history of King David, written by a
contemporary of George Fox, the Quaker.
There was one poor novel in the family. 1t
belonged to an aunt This I secured one dav,
but when l had read it half through 1 was
discovered, and it was taken away from
me-"
The poet laughed quite heartily as he re-
called those early days, and his first attempt
to read something that was more suited to
his youthful mind than the bible or the his
tory of King David.
My first glimpse of poetry was when my
Old schoolmaster brought a copy of Burns
poems and read from it at our house. Ny
first real work was done when George D.
Prentice was editing The Hartford Review,
although | had written considerably before
wrote and sent him a few things and he en-
couraged me. When ne recommended me to
take his place, the publishers wrote me and I
went down. I had then seen practically
nothing of the world, and for two years I
remained with The Review my greatest effort
was to keep people from knowing how little
really knew. 1t was providential opening,
however, for it gave me start.
81 wrote continually, but there was no
market for the work. My anti-slavery con-
victions made my name valueless to any OF
the magazines: but, strange as it may appear,
The Democratic Review was always anxious
for my writings
"Was there no market at ALA No price sci
upon yonr work?"
''None. I just wrote for any paper that
would publish my matter, and if Longfellow
Emerson, Hawthorne or myself had beer
forced to rely upon the products of our pens
for our living, we would have wanted bread
in those days when most of our best work
was done. To me this is queer phase of lit
erary life, to find that the greatest geniuses
that America has ever given to literature
should have toiled without recompense, and
been forced to wait until they were old before
reaping the fruits of their labor. Truly, it is
hard work for writer to get foothold, but
when he does it is strong one.n