Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-07
LITERARY SURPRISE.
Feniasar Asshsr Disesversa unser male
Pxaedenym.
fI,n&ton Herald

made in last evenings Herald that
"Mr." Craddock was woman and
had been the cause Of great surprise
to DR.. Holmes and Mr.. Howells on
meeting her at dinner at Mr.. Al
drich's on Tuesday evening, caused
a thorough sensation in literary circles.
The development Of this author is
proof not only Of the wealth Of literary
material that lies hidden throughout the
United States in obscure regions, but
also that the conditions there existing
may produce the genius to utilize them.
II has been known, though not general
". that Charles Egbert Craddock
was pseudonym, but no one can
have suspected that the master OF
style so strikingly masculine
as that in these mountain tales was
not man. The secret has until now
been well guarded. and publishers and
editors have, in their dealings, address
ed the author as Dir. NJ. n. Murfree or
NJ. n. Murfree, ESQ.,, the observing edl-
tor choosing the latter form, taking it
for granted that one who had so accu-
rate knowledge Of legal methods as is
shown in the stories must be a lawyer.
CHARLES EGBERT CRADDOcK
has been fayorite contributor to the
Atlantic for several years. Mr.. How
ellis, when editor, was quick to perceive
the striking quality of the stories. The
first one printed was 1.-THE Dancin'
Party at IIarrison's Cove" When Mr..
Aldrich became editor hc remembered
this story, and his first act was to write
to the author, asking for further contri-
buttons, meanwhile printing, as soon as
possible. two stories which had been on
hand some little time, unused in con-
sequence Of press Of other mat
ter. Mr.. Aldrich used to muse con-
sidcrably over the personality Of the
author. and he once wrote asking how
the latter could have become so init
mate with the strange, quaint life of the
mountaineers. He received pleasant
reply of several pages, which, however,
did not throw much light upon the au-
thor's personality. The manuscript Of
"Mr." Craddock certainly had nothing
feminine about it. II was almost
startlingly vigorous, with large, bold
characters, every letter as plain as
print, and strikingly thick, black
lines. Mr.. Aldrich told Miss Murfrec
that he used to suppose that she wrote
with one of those dip" brushes
which the mOuntaineers use in their
habit Of "dipping snuff, So liberal
was the author in the use Of ink that
last fall, when Mr.. Aldrich was about
to write to ask for the powerful novel.
8 The Prophet Of the Great Smoky
Mountains" now running in the A.
lanfic, he remarked 81 wonder if
Craddock has laid in his winters
ink yet, so that can get serial out of
him ?" with the idea that Mr.. Grad
dock must get his ink in large quanti-
ties, just as other people get their coal
or -four. Ii was owing to Mr.. AL
drich's urgent representation that the
collection of stories, - In the Tennessee
Mountains" was published, the pub
fishers hesitating under the impression
that there was no market for short sto-
ries collected in book form. His judy
mcnt was justified, for the book is now
in its ninth thousand.
Last Monday morning. as Mr.. Aldrich
was in the editorial room of the allan
tic Monthly, word was brought that a
lady below wished to see him. He went
down and met pleasant young lady,
who remarked that she was Charles
Egbert CraddOck. Mr.. Aldrich could
hardly have been more sstounded had
the roof fallen in. and he turned and
run several steps under the pressure of
the shock before he recovered his
usually imperturbable presence Of mind.
lie would have been better prepared to
find under that name
A sTRAPPING sIX-FooT TENNEs-
sEEAN
than the dclicate-looking lady before
him. lie now says that he is inclined
to doubt the sex Of all the other 1tlan-
lie contributors whom he has not met {;
there are certain things in George
EliOt's writings which, now that one
knows, one can clearly see could have
been written only by woman; but in
the writings of Charles Egbert Grad
dock there is not the slightest trace Of
feminine influence.
DR.. Holmes and Mr.. Howells were
equally astonished at meeting Mr.. Grad
dock in Miss Murfree. Mr. IIowells
had written that he could not come,
owing to another engagement, though
he wanted very much to inject Grad
dock" but he was persuaded to come,
at the urgent request Of Mr.. Aldrich.
On his way he called at prominent
publishers, who said - Tell Craddock
TO drop round to see u.s.
1t will hardly be violation of pri-
yacy to say that the evening was de-
lightful one to all that the chief guest
was addressed as they" by the host
in recognition of the duality Of Miss
Murfrce and Charles Egbert Craddock.
while the hostess could not lose the
latter name from mind. aud compro-
missed with Miss Craddock."
Miss Murfree was born at Murlrccs-
boro', Tenn. and is the daughter Of a
prominent lawyer. who has written
works regarded as authority in the
courts. Murlreesboro' is the location
of the novel " Where the Battle Was
Fought" and the windows of the house
where the family lived up to two years
ago overlook the battle-ground. Two
years ago Mr.. Muriree moved with his
family to st. Louis. where they now
live. For number of years, from
childhood up, Miss Murfree was unable
to use her feet. but her health is now
much better and she can get around
with slight assistance. 1t seems little
short Of marvellous that under such
circumstances the author should have
been able to gain SO intimate a know
ledge Of the life of the mountain folk
and their almost inaccessible homes
and environment.
Prominent among the characteristics