The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-29

THE APPEAL man meandered into one
OF the leading bookstores on Main street
recently and noticed an unusual crowd for
that time OF day.
1t was during the recent rush OF summer
tourists who had taken the advantage of
the rate war and made preparations for
leaving.
Among the preparations is always q
quantity, more or less varied, OF reading
matter.
The reporter watched the various parties
look over the selections of cheaper novels
and II an opportunity had been given
could have gathered a complete list OF the
purchases. He turned to one Of the oblig.
ing young clerks who frequently assist
purchasers in securing their literature and
asked: "What character of literature
seemed to be most favored by these sum-
mer idlers."
"We sell them everything, from Tolsto
to Called Back Parties going away for
the summer, of course, have their daily
papers sent them, and as a general rule
this keeps them busy reading for what
time they have 10 devote TO it.
They generally take some extra matter
along for show. Every person wants to
be thought literary, and II they are seen
reading on the trains and at odd moments
it serves their purpose.
Something light is generally chosen,
either the latest by The Duchess, who
generally manages TO write novel IN time
Tor the summer season, or something OF
Iiaggard's.
Sometimes you'll find people governed
by the locality they are going to visit. II
to Virginia, why they must be up in
Amelie Rives' productions and Thomas
Nelson Page.
al they go to Boston and beyond they
must thoroughly know Howells and be
able to talk intelligently about Tostoi. SO
these authors are the pocket companions
Of the eastern tourists"
The young man stopped long enough 20
wrap up "Mr. Nelson's Will" and the last
Haggard book, for young miss, who de-
clared that "Mr. Haggard was lust tho
most exciting and interesting author she
knew. and she did hope he would have
another book out by the time she got
back"
"Of course there Is still constant de-
mand for THE Quick or the Dead, and
the persons who haven't read IL can be
counted by the score" resumed the
friendly young man, Though there are
numbers OF works far more interesting"
and he pointed out Cmwford's "Paul
Patoh," Stockton's "Dusantes," and 9TH
ers.
"The trouble about these, however, is
that they are high priced editions, and
what men want to read, they want IL
cheap"
Most OF the publishing houses have
realized the necessity for these cheaper
works, and all have series OF books which
include great many Of the popular all
thors Of the day.
''Ticknor x Go. have brought out nearly
all OF IIowelrs novels in the so cents edi-
ton, also Edgar Fawcctt's most popular
works, besides a number OF other well
known books OF fiction.
These are all cheap enough for the av-
erage reader, especially when the volume
is generally left in the sleeper or on the
hotel piazza when finished"
The speaker was here interrupted by the
entrance OF a handsomcly-dr but
tinid-looking woman, who asked in sub.
dued voice for "Thc Quick or the Dead"
After securing which, she glidcd out as II
she was half ashamed OF her purchase.
"Oh, have had lots of them 20 through
that same performance. They have been
reading some OF the scandalous criticisms
and references 20 that book, and they have
concluded that lola isn't a circumstance
10 Miss Rivers.
by the by, one OF the best criticisms
have read on this book was by Nym Grin
kle in the Horid for last Sunday. lie goes
right 10 the lotion and brings out an
analysis that comedies with the opinion OF
nine readers out Of ten.
"But all this notoricty has been money
TO both the publisher and the author.
Outside OF novels and fiction Won would
be surprised at the amount Of newspapers
and magazines sold.
The faycrite papers outside OF our local
press arc the New York HcruM and World,
Cincinnati Enquirer. Courier. journal and ~.
Louis Globe Dmordi. P,ict and life are
great favorites here; Of course Judge doesn't
have much show IN such a Democratic
town.
"with baseball and turf cranks tho
Sporting South and Sporting Life arc Ia
good demand. But we have a sale for
every variety OF paper on our stand, this IL
sufficient to show the variety in taste Of
our customers"
The reporter then selected his usual
Sunday reading which did not differ much
from the average purchaser, and took hls
departure.