The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-26
TO THOSE MOST CONCERNED

TO THOSE MOST CONCERNED.
 "What course should pursue to be- come good writer ?' is question which a young man, without er closing postage stamp, asks this paper. The newspapers are replete with answers to such ques- tions, but yet the youth of literary ambi- ton asks for more. A young man could with just as much reason ask, " am not particularly hungry, but as eating seems to be the proper thing, what kind of food would you adviser" The man who has a '" literary turn" needs no advice. In fact, he is the last man who will ask for it. His taste-if he should have taste and without it he is not likely to be a lover of good literature-will suggest the books that best satisfy his mental appe- tite. Good writers must have good sense. Education is the agent it is not the master, yet without persistent work, neither the agent nor the master can accomplish good result. The writer who just clashes of" an article is the one whom every one should advise to seek other employment. A "dashed of" article is generally dashed aside. The writer needs not say, wrote this in few minutes, just threw it off," This fact is plain to the editor. The " first at tempt" writer has submitted articles to nearly every publication in the country. Why such writers think that editors are particularly anxious for first attempts is a problem of dlffieuit solution. Some liss. of experience say it is because the writers think that first attempts have freshness unknown to later efforts. This may be true. They arc fresh and abounding in cool impotence. It requires no study, however, to write for humorous paper. Any professional man, if he just had the time, could write something that would amuse the world. The lower grade of lawyers are all humorists, but they haven't time to write. They mus, go around to the justice court and defend thief for two dollars and fifty cents. For a good humor- ous article, with streaks of fancy, glimmerings of fun, elowings ofimagina- ton and chain of common sense run- ming through il, they would receive fifteen or twenty dollars. Yet, they have not the true professional devotion-two dol lars and fifty cents. The truth is, the series of articles which he wrote will probably be returned when he forwards stamps for that emergency.
 Why do you persist in attempting to write ?'' was asked of young man.
 Because" he replied, van: to be- come known. want the newspapers to speak of me, and when go away from home and register at hotel want peo. pie to look at my signature and say. what famous writer; I'd like to see him'n
 The incentive bespeaks weakness when reputation means money-bread and meat for wife and children-an effort for its acquisition is commendable but to struggle for such prominence, merely to satisfy personal vanity, with no other thoughts than of self-well, that kind of man is not likely to create literary sensation.
 A young Missourian wrote to this paper some time ago, saying: "l would like to be writer but during my life u have neglected grammar for arithmetie.9' It is not likely that young man within whom the true literary plant had sproueed would neglect grammar for arithmetic. He might write mathematical story. Probably something like this would serve his purpose: "6 sat on bench in a park, drinking beer, when came up and said 1 Hello 6, hot enough for your Well. should smile,' 6 replied. Have seat, l S. It was beautiful afternoon and the l park vas crowded. Senator E with his l wik and listle son } vae psssent and when 24 b'ew abass-hsn solo, littis 3 danced l in elee. At atable nsar and 6, saa Mu. | 10, danxhsex q capeain 3i. Both .ad l 6 vsse in love with har.D Le: t run on h this way, finally making 6 knock the cud from ss shoulder.
 YeA there have been columns of advice | written on this subject, and . desire to l