The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-30
The Bre an Flirt


Replying to this long.neglected letter,
l would say briefly, yet succinctly and
even tersely, that much would depend
upon the size of book. There is a tre-
mendous call this season for an eight
ounce book, with small flecks of flowers
OH it.
Can you write such a book? Can you
write a book full of implied and ex-
pressed passion? Can you cl,urn up the
great depths of human nature aud
shorten the longing which, one may have
for another heart against which to throb?
Can you do this and still 20 on with your
primary studies at Humboldt? Can you
prepare such work and still get your
spelling lessons every day?
l do not know why you should have
referred the matter to me, however, and
would rather refrain from giving advice
in matters Of literature. I could not
write a book about "the Brenett Flirt" to
save my life. Writing passionate things
in red ink, on both sides, regard as a
gift. l cannot do it.
1 once published work in two vol.
umes which sold we'll and is still meet
ing with an excellent sale both in this
country and in Europe. 1t was also well
received by the critics; at least no one
said anything dispsragingly fit. and it
has helped many one to pass a plea.
SAINT evening, as I know. 1t consisted of
two large volumes of history, being a
History Of the War. in two volumes.
Struck with the wonderful paucity of
war history, especially relative to the
great rebellion, 1 prepared these two
volumes in neat black and gold muslin
and beveled boards. When closed the
work was ornamental, and when opened
it became Backgammon board.
Where others have been in the habit
of putting word-painting and October
haze and the odor of crushed water.
melon and the lull of being miles and
miles away from the parents of one you
deeply love and WHO is with you in the
heart of the forest and all that, l did no,
put anything at all. Where a modern
author might have written things which
might have made Solomon and brigham,
Young to blush. cast shame and cause
the rather questionable career of Don
Juan, by contrast, to read like the loves
ola snow man, l just left the reader to
insert his own wicked thoughts as he
went along. In this way and by rein.
forcing the corners by means of zinc
shanks on the inside, I knew that when
the critics jumped on it they would not
haveit.
10 this l attribute what little literary
success 1 may have attained, and that is
the reason speak of it to you. But
times are changing and you must keep
up with the times. See, for instance,
how the smut has been oradicated from
comedy and hnmor and how it has been
gently but firmly retained by romance.
Even the bright but doubtful jokes of
war times. twenty years ago, could not
find place in print or on the stage now,
and further back than that we find
many, many little bon mots which could
only be found now in Congressional
committee-room or a late novel.
l congratulate comedy, Jennie, and
am sorry for you literary people. Among
the jokers during the past twenty years,
l believe it has been generally admitted
that God and good morals were not sub.
jects for jest because there are we'll
meaning but o!d-fasllioned people who
believe in those things. But you can do
just as you think best. Ifyou are writ
ing book for the market, you have got
a good subject. 1t conveys the idea of
just enough wickedness so that if pro-
perly handled, the book will be very
much talked about and, therefore, sold
in great quantities: ! sincerely hope
that your name will soon be household
word, and that your book will not only
be q great success here in New York,
but that every farmer in Minnesota will
be using it on his potato bugs next sum.
mer.-San Francisco Examiner.