Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-07-04

The English papers bring us some interest
ing sketches of the life of the late Mr. Fred
erick j. Fargus better known as Hugh
Conway the author of ''Called Back.
The Times and Mirror, of Bristol, his native
place, says: 1t is with very deep and sincere
regret that we announce the death of Mr..
Frederick ]. Fargus It was in The Times
and Mirror, but a few years ago, that his
first prose production was printed He had
previously printed many fugitive poelns
since collected under the title of "a Life's
Idylls," and written many ballads which were
set to music and found favor ard were
eagerly sought by London publishers; and
before his recent phenomenal success he had
contributed numerous tales to leading period
icals, notably Blackwood's Magazine. But
it was "Called Back" that placed him at
once on the high pinnacle of fame as a writer
of fiction.
As friend, ever staunch and true, as a
companion pleasant. light-hearted and genial,
Hugh Conway was deservedly popular in
the social circle. Prosperity did not spoil
him. Indeed we have never known an in
stance in which a man so suddenly finding
himself famous has borne his blushing honors
more modestly.
He died in harness, he had Just completed
his last novel, "a Family Affair" which
will always remain as one of the standards
in English literature, and was in search of
the material for still another when he caught
the fever which ended in his death. He had
been to Italy to witness the low life in
Southern Europe, and he took with him the
| germs Of Roman fever to Monte Carlo
whittier he had journeyed to paint the hor-
rors of the gambling saloons which have
made that natural paradise notorious. Where
could he have found more exciting
theme for his pen? He had been at
Monte Carlo but few days when
he found himself unwell A physician was
| called, who pronounced his illness typhoid
fever, He was tended by his wife, who was
| his travelling companion. His good physique
and strong constitution enabled him TO pull
through the crisis of the fever. lie went
out for carriage drive; the horses threat
| ened to destroy the carriage, compelling him
to leave it without wrapping himself care
fully. He took cold and died. He had
completed his 37th year, and leaves, besides
his wife, four children He was buried in
| the pretty little English cemetery at Nice.
| The Whitehall Review: Many who knew
Mr.. Fargus personally have to regret the
| loss of gifted and attractive friend. The
far greater number who were familiar with
VIC neiiie anu "IlllngS Oh duSn conway Will
feel deeply tho removal from contemporary
literature of name associated with great
success, and attended with the promise of
even better things. There is something pro-
foundry melancholy in the thought that Mr..
Fargus had for SO many years worked ON
patiently and persistently, almost unknown,
until on sudden success and popularity
came to him, and gave to him not merely
money, but the position and reputation
which are far dearer to a literary man.
| Mr. Fargus' success was startling, but
it was not undeserved. He could tell story
to generation that were very eager to have
stories told to them, and were beginning to
| get little weary Of the purposeless and
bloodless pamphlets which had Of late been
usurping the place of romance A useful.
honorable, and even brilliant literary and
| dramatic career was opening out before Mr.
Fargus. His prose style was maturing and
improving, and his last work, "a Family
Affair."" was marked and striking advance
on anything he had hitherto done. We can
remember few instances in which bright
| promise was so suddenly and so sadly
marred