The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-31

Youths Companion, in 1857, when she was thir-
teen. At twenty the plan Of the Coates Ajar,
began to form itself in her mind. Although the
first, this is the bestknown OF her books In
this volume as well as in the later one, Beyond
The Gates by story and suggestion, she recalls
that very old tradition which makes the angel
come at dawn in the cheerful morning twilight,
to guide the souls of the good to paradise,
Miss Phelps conceives such types of character
and feeling as lie within the view of only
pure and exalted soul, and the qualities of
genuine artist give her work its exquisite form.
definite moral purpose is distinct in her lite
rary career, and in her life as a woman among
mankind. She will have sorrowfu things show
their sadness that they may be helped. and
wrong things their evil that they may be righted.
The evils of factory life, depicted in "a Silent
Partner she learned by personal work for
factory girls. On the Gloucester shore, where
she has planted her summer home, she saw how
cruel weight intemperance added to the hard
lot of the fshermen's families. and through her
efforts reform club Of sixty-fve members was
sustained. She made herself the friend of each
man. They came to her house with their hopes
and despair, their temptations and troubles.
Two collections of her short stories have been
published, which, so far vivacity, Artistic pro-
portion and frmness Of touch are concerned,
contain some Of her best work The
first volume ''Men, Women and Ghosts" con-
tains her Tenth of January" while ''Sealed
Orders" includes 1.-THE Lady of Shalott"
called by many critics the best American short
story. In it the aesthetic and artistic side of
her nature assert themselves more strongly,
perhaps, than elsewhere, and give US a hint of
the pictures she might have drawn in tints of
gold and rose if she had chosen to charm in
stead of to sympathize and help This colec-
zion contains one or two pictures not easily
forgotten, of winter storms in the ice-bound
harbor, of the cruel struggles of the fishermen
for scanty Bread and Of the more cruel watch
ing and waiting at home "for those who will
never come back to the town." Here we learn
to know the lonely little dress maker in mo.
Thirteen" and the two brothers in sCloth of
Gold" trying to get to Florida with far too
little money walking when they could not ride,
with Dan. between his laughs, insisting that he
felt very strong, and that it did not hurt him at
all.
Miss Phelps writes but seldom. Il-health of
late years has prevented her from doing much
Her stories are rich in suggestion. Every stroke
counts, and when the story is read it is found to
incarnate a perfect and expressive picture Of
human passion and achievement. Miss Phelps
is slight and extremely graceful in figure, her
face very beautiful, refined and somewhat sad.
She possesses an indescribable charm OF person
and manner, arising from the extremely un-
wordliness and loneliness of her nature.
To the poor people in the vicinity of Andover
Miss Phelps is known as an unselhsh and help
full friend, devoting her life and strength to
them.
When she delivered a course of lectures on
Modern Fiction" to the students of Boston
University, she was regarded as a modern
Hypatia who had come to speak sweeter sort
of wisdom. cat the close of each lecture the
students would gather around her. and it seemed
as if they would devour herr following her as far
as possible when she went away"
In the world Of literature her place is thus de-
fined by the New York Independents ''If she is
not the best living American writer of short
stories, it would be difficult to find the name to
be properly set above hers
We shall publish April and Ii a complete
short story by Miss Phelps entitled Sweet
Home" 1t is beautifully conceived, tragic and
pathetic, and at the same time relieved by
joyous strain that blends tremendously and art
istically with tho sadder notes.