The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-19
HOW THEY NAIL THOUGHT
BILL NYE TELLS HOW CERTAIN EN-
- INENT WRITER'S REALLY WRITE.
Those Who Use the Pen Alone--Grow-
ing Popularity of the typewriter and
Stenoyrapher-Mark Twain and His
Literary Habits.

Margaret ]. Preston dictates and has
for the past six years because her eyes
have been suffering from overtaxation.
She has not relied upon her own vision.
therefore, fearing that overtaxation would
result in the loss Of sight, which would
amount TO overtaxation without repre-
q sentation.
VIII Carleton learned photography
while in college. He still uses it in writ
ing out some OF his poems, but in making
out the bill for same is generally more de-
liberate and careful, doing this in long
hand only.
John q. Whittier writes out his matter
with Il Joseph elliott steel pen dipped in
bluing. He says he does little now aside
from answering short letters.
William s. Walsh uses fountain pen
in mailing his thoughts to the virgin page.
He hates to have his trenchant pen run
dry whilst Just in the act OF shaking hands
with newborn thought.
James Whitcomb Riley uses steel pen,
though in the original draft he writes
with lead pencil on pad. He gets up
and rides on the pencil SO earnestly, fear
ing that the printer will not get the run OF
his remarks, that he easily makes ten or
copies Of the same Ms. He also
holds the pad on his lap while writing,
and 80 one may read his thoughts on the
poets knee for days afterward. Mr.. Riley
writes very easily indeed, and few weeks
atthe hospital after he has written poem
easily coax back the smile to his clean cut
features. He starts in with brain. wave
and keeps on at 1t. never stopping for feed
or water until the completed poem is
mailed to the publisher, together with q
prepaid and addressed envelope for the
return OF check. IL is but the work OF a
moment for him 10 think OF a thought
Mary Hartwell Catherwood, the author
ess OF the Romance OF Dollard," uses a
pen and is very painstaking indeed. She
is quiet, modest little woman, whose
manners ought TO shame the disagreeable
literary person who goes through life
filed with nameless Joy because he
has succeeded alone in winning his own
approval.
Mr.. +. L. Spinner, during his early
literary career, while doing paragraph
work for the United States Treasury, at
Washington, used three-legged quill pen
and teacup full OF Potomac mud. He
made appropriate gestures by gently way
ing bright red tongue through the aston
ished atmosphere.
John O. New, while Treasurer under
Gen. Grant, wrote q good many things,
and his autographs, written at that period
in his literary career, command a high
prico. He did not use the typewriter but
Is very symmetrical and handsome pen.
man. His whiskers, his penmanship, his
beautiful family and his unerring iudg-
ment as 10 the proper time when n man
should be firm and stand pat are strong
characteristics Of his
Charles Dudley Warner never dictated
nor used a typewriter. He does his own
writing and thinks his own thoughts as
they occur from time TO time. lie does
not object, however, TO the use OF type
writer or n stenographer, II not taken in
inqrdinate quantities. He believes that
in a literary work insp iration passes
through the two fingers and thumb. lie
Is glad 10 notice also that the antique
finger nail trimmed with edging OF moss.
agate is no longer proof OF great literary
excellence.
George Makepacc Towle uses stee
pen, even In composing. he says, but hopes
10 see the typewriter, or modification oi
that instrument, come into general use for
library purposes. lilo is sorry, however
10 see the Mss OF various authors robbed
OF their individuality in that way.
Richard Watson Glider feels very much
the same way. He resents the "put-up
Job" appearance OF typewritten manu-
scripts, and yet he likes II because OF IL
clearness. Mr.. Glider is the editor Of the
Century Magazine, on Seventeenth street
near Fourth avenue, n good and flourish
ing publication, terms 81 year. His pa
per Is little slow in the matter OF news
being made up about three months aheac
Of lis publication. The Century has M
Geographic or Associated Press dispatchei
and does not issue any sporting edition
Mr.. Glider does his own literary work by
means Of pen, and writes strong, run
ming hand. lie can return rejected MSS
In such gentle. caressing way that disap
pointed scribblers come 20 him from hun
dreds Of miles 20 thank him for his kind
ness and stay 10 dinner with him.
Oliver Optic wrote with pen until four
teen years ago, when he was threatenc,
with pen paralysis. lie then had 10 lool
about for other means Of expressing him
self. lie saw an advertisement Tin thi
paper) in 1875, calling bis attention TO
typewriter, and at once ayailed himself o
tho machine. After six months OF use h'
ttAlu 90 as well Win lnt NlptNINtI w
the pen, and now ho does not have I,
hunt around over the keyboard for lot
ter. So his MSS. are clearly and oyei
handsomely prepared in this way.
Amelie Rivcs writes with a trcnchan
pen, and never dictated, except 10 Mr.
Chanler, her husband. She uses spen
cerian pen and writes a beautiful copy, a
symmetrical as Edgar A. Poo's. and a
fast as the pen gets 80 hot that II burn
holes in the paper and Kisses when sh,
sticks Il INTO the ink bottle she pulls
out by means OF pair Of tongs and put
In anew one.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox writes with pei
and her Ms. Is quite plain In one way
That Is, IL Is not pretty. She Is quite pleas
ant and genial, unless one trcads on Oh
tail OF her coat. She then writes or speak
with flashing eyes and distorted nostrils Il
clarion tones At such times II she wer
10 use the typewriter, II would sound lik
xylophono trying 10 convince law
mower OF the error OF lis way.
Rose Terry Cooke says she has wfiuo
with gold pen on linen paper, holdin
the dip on her knee, all through her III
erary career, and she has been writing 70
forty years She says so herself. Hot
few oil us authors are willing 10 come on
and state over our own signature that "
have been on the road 70 long. Asid
from Rose Terry Cooke, | may safely "a
A 4