The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11


70 small dramatic power. She ranks as
novelist. however, far below many
other women whose productions are with
out flash or tinsel, who portray life
more as 1t is than as 1t might have been If writ
ers about lost brides, and doomed heiresses, and
the perambulating ghosts of Hobgoblin Hall had
had the ordering of the universe. or, at all
events, OF human nature and human society, as
they are known on this particular planet. Mrs
Southworth has very pleasant home on War
burton avenue, in Yonkers. near New York,
where she lives with her Only son. She is a
lady of great force of character, enjoys vigorous
health, and is often seen IN New York, whittier
she comes to consult her publishers about her
works.
Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge lives in the Navarro
fats on Fifty-ninth street. facing Central Park
1t is in the region OF those lofty apartment
houses which generally have Spanish name and
seem lhambra-like in their luxury and ruaguif
cence. They tower high into the heavens, mod
ern palaces, finer than many castle of Spanish
song and story. though not In every aspect so
picturesque. It is in one of these stately e6i-
fees that Mrs Dodge may be seen when she
is not In her Office high up in the Century
building, on Union square. She is now
IN middle life, but preserves much OF the cheer
fulness and vivacity of earlier years. She
has expressive oval features, which light up
quickly In conversation; she is amiable and un-
assuming. She was born in New York city, and
was reared amid refined and cultured influences.
Among her fathers friends were poets, scientists,
statesmen, philosophers painters and journal
lists. and with these she was always fayorlte.
In that household the mean, petty, personal
gossip of the neighborhood, the delight of empty
heads and vulgar minds. was never counte-
nanced and the effect of such salutary training
is still observable in the refinement and the
shrinking from undue publicity which are en-
gaging characteristics of this talented LADY. Not
but that this avoidance of the. public eye may be
carried too far: the people have perfect right
to know something personally of those who in
struct or entertain them.
Mrs. Dodge writes with grace and facility.
She owes the excellence of her style to a thor
ough knowledge of English literature. In early
life she was we'll grounded in music, drawing
and modelling. She is natural linguist, but
knows English better than any other language.
This cannot always be said of our linguists. 1t
was about twenty years ago that she found her
self widow with two promising boys. AS 1t
was necessary to rely on her personal exeruons
to secure competence, she adopted the profess
sion of literature. She wrote a number of
sketches and stories for the magazines, and
then published book of short stories for
children. with the title of HIrvington
Stories They met with such success
that the publisher requested her TO write
another volume in the same vein. Publishers
often call for books in this way, they might
for cord of hickory cut into certain lengths.
Mrs. Dodge, however. fascinated by the gifted
Motley's Rise of the Dutch Republic" and
1lSLOTy Oh inc OulLSU NeGu0ElduuS. WHICH
made the author famous, had written juvenile
story of Dutch life which she called CLANS
Brinker; or the Silver Skates.' The publisher
was tempted to reject tit did rot appear to be
merchantable hickory of the right length-but,
finally changing his mind, he stumbled a
complete success The book not only met
with a large sale in this country, but
was translated into French German, Russian,
Italian, and, browning triumph of all. into
Dutch. 1t had local color, although she had not
yet visited Holland It was a triumph of gsni-
us, interchangeable research and hard work.
About 1870 she became an associate editor of
Hearth and Home, her coad juters on that jour
nal being Harriet Beecher Stowe and Donald G..
Mitchell Tx Marvel.) A few years later she
became editor OF the ST. Nicholas, juvenile
magazine. She has published six books, namely,
"Irvington Stories" Hans Brinker," Rhymes
and Jingles," for children; '"rheophilus and
Others" q series of prose sketches
for adults, and which includes by
the way, the popular scintillation Miss Maloney
on the Chinese QUESTION:" and volume OF verse
entitled ''Along the Way" which is full of wom-
anly tenderness, and strength of high aspira-
tons, and charming conceits.
Mrs Dodge is now in Europe enjoying much
needed respite from literary labors Her young
est son died some five years ago, and the be-
reavement seriously affected her health She
was always the companion and confdante OF her
sons, always one of the noblest of mothers. 1t
is gratifying to learn from friend of the lady
that she enjoys complete pecuniary independ-
ence. She has salary of 1000 years as editor
of the st. Nicholas and also owns stock in the
Century company. o. w. RIGGS.