The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-22

A PRETTY PODTESS.
The Circumstances Under Which Mrs
Wilcox Wrote Her Best Poems.

| The circumstances Under Which Mrs.
Wilcox Wrote Her Best Poems.
NEW YORK. Oct. 20.-Mrs. Ella Wheeler
Wilcox is fond of fun and poetry, but above
| all she is fond of her husband.
Not long since, in company with a few in
| innate friends, she was the guest of Joaquin
Miller. During the conversation Mrs. Viii
cox frequently alluded to her husband. Oh,
| hang your husband! Talk TO me of yourself
| and your books" the eccentric poet ejacu-
| lated jocosely, at which the fair
| little poetess laughed merrily and
| changed the subject to that re-
and geniality she has great independence
| of character as well as spirit, when occasion
calls for their exercise. When q young
girl, a short time after she commenced
| writing for publication (which was at the
| age of ~, she was introduced by a lady
| friend to noted clergyman, in Chicago.
"Wheeler--W Wheeler" said the clergy yman
| refectively, catching the name; 81 am ac-
| quaintainted with some very nice families
by that name in Boston, possibly relations
of yours-Wheeler-are youW "LlLa
Wheeler, sir" was the quick response,
showing personal Independence of charac-
ter quite amusing in young school girl.
On another occasion, when a poor girl,
dependent upon her pen for support and
also Jl6 dlQ OI u6T pdIeuJ5, H6T flOLo was
always regarded as good as that of the
heaviest banker. Going to the bank at
one time to borrow money, she gave her
note for ninety days. When she came
promptly to pay it at the bank, the banker
who had known her from her childhood,
said: 1--WE do not ask any interest of you;
we are glad to accommodate you" To
| which the girl-poet replied:
"But that would not be an accommoda-
rim kind aG ms ha I
| desire to borrow money again some time,
and | want to feel that | am paying the
bank the same interest that a man would
pay. / wish to be considered as reliable as
| a man in business" and she insisted upon
his taking the interest due. Another in
| stance Of her courage and Independence
was shown at feature of the reception
which she gave Miss Lisette Woodworth
Reese about year ago. 1t is well
known in society, although too often
ignored by some, that etiquette demands
that an answer in writing be returned to
an invitation to a reception, whether the
invited guest intends to be present or
not. 1t appeared TO Mrs. Wilcox that
this rule of etiquette ought to be observed,
and she hit upon the following method of
impressing it upon her guests on that
| occasion. She accordingly designed a
unique and pretty souvenir of the occa-
sion, consisting of strip Of satin ribbon
with a short poem by Miss Reese printed
on it, and ordered to be made of these lust
as many as there were written acceptances
of her invitation. Hence, among the guests
assembled on the occasion, none but the ac-
ceptors in writing received q souvenir to
take home with them. She discards wine
at her receptions. She has no sympathy
with the woman sufferage movement
| and does not bslieve in women mixing
in politics; but she does approve
Of women of ability and taste for the work
engaging in journalistic and other literary
pursuits. She is exceedingly fond of dress,
and designs quaint and unique costumes
for house wear. such as were worn in the
Empress Josephines time. These are Of
and in delicate tints Of light blue, cream
and pink in other rich fabrics.
She Is dainty in her toilet and fond of
sweet perfumes. 81 like my own writing
desk for work, she says, although am
accustomed TO write wherever and when
ever have occasion"
She is q fine equestrienne and says that
ride of an hour or two In the saddle seems
to rest her for her literary work. II had
no system,n she replied in answer TO a
question, "but such verses as write, do
SO with very little correction" She has
hundreds of letters sent her from young
literary aspirants asking her advice and
criticisms OF inclosed manuscript; In
fact, 30 numerous are these epistles that
should she give them the attention
desired 1t would consume a large portion
of her time. LAST year j had over
500 manuscripts sent me for criticism and
advice to young writers TO which / re-
sponded, !" She said TO friend, "but ] could
not keep IL up. l bave a now scheme of
s0if-denfense now; send all their maui !.
script to tho Literary Interchange IA New