The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-29
MISS RlvES EXPLAINS HER METHOD.
She Holds Up the Mirror of Nature Wherein
Readers WIFI See themselves.

From the New York Mail.
Pretty and talented Amelie Rives is having
a hard time with the critics. Her recent story,
The Quick or the Dead mas brought an avalanche
Of letters uron her Over five bundled nissiyes of
al kinds Pom plen and wcmcn, and particularly
from young girls, have reached her at her home at
Castle Hill, Albamarle county, Va. All of these let
tets MIS- RiYes has read carefully, Some Of them
were queer specimens q chirogfsphy. and syptax,
With the exception of three all bore the names and
addresses of the writ r. All sorts OF questions were
propounded Nearly all OF the writers pay tribute to
the clever young Virginia womans genius, and all
the letters were written with the idea that this
coming great novelist of the new south needed
instruction and advice. 1t may be inter
esling to the writers of these letters to know
That Miss Rives is not at all upset or disconnected
by the crisis in her life, brought about by what
she is pleased to tell me was my somewhat crude
and hastily written study" Nor is she TO be fright
ened or bulied out Of her convictions a half dozen
OF the letters received merted replies because they
were written by authors and editors of promise who
nave met the young authoress and have deep in
teres in her welfare 1t might also interest some of
the etter-writers TO read the preface of Charles
kingsley's The Saints Tragedy" The view there
taken of human passion is that held by Miss Rives
'Weil-meant books, strongly written and from
clean heart, resemble mirrors wherein all who read
behold their own reflection. The pure minded will
see purity, the foulninded foulnesS" said the
authoross to q recent visitor
People who have taken so much interest in Miss
Rves may like to know that she is in the most "a
dent health andin spirits as brimfu of life us any
girl III all Virginia. She is hard at work on q new
story and she has more orders from publishers for
novels than she can supply. A recent paragraph
has made it appear that she is to be paid $4,000 for
her next novel. There has been no contradiction
of this from the publisher. Ifthe figures given be
correct it is the largest ever paid by an Ameri-
can publisher for story
In appearance Miss Rives is a well-built, we'll
rounded young woman of 25. She has a perfect
profile Her eyes are soft and poetic. Her mouth
is small and firm. She wears her abundant brown
gold hair in fluffy disorder about her forehead and
neck. She is graceful equestrian. She delights
i'll long rambles. She is an excellent tennis player
and handles an oar with ease and grace. She loves
outdoor life, and knows how to take care of her
health as well as she knows how to write stories
Her companions in most of her rambles are q pair
of magnificent greyhounds.
In the matter of work, Miss Rives is very punctil
ious. The room in which she does her writing is d
bower-like study, fitted up with odds and ends of
bric-abrac and articles of virtu Here and there on
the walls engrayngs water colors and oil paint
ings. There is wellstocked library in one corner
OF the room, and there is writing table with letters
newspapers and magazines.
In and around her home Miss Riyes is loved and
respected. She has charmingly frank way of max
ing strangers feel comfortable. To those who know
her well she is delightful companion and sincere
friend She is not at all spoiled by her success She
takes her wonderful good luck in a sensible way