The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
A DISCUSSION OF CHARMS.
OF HER OWN CHARMS, CoNTRAsTED
WITH MRS. AFTERNOONS,
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox-And All Bo-
cause the Author of Hernia Suydam"
Described Her as Little Mouse Col
ored Woman, Etc.
WIZ. J. BOX in the Graphic.

uude Anterior came from Kansas City 10
take up her residence in New York. Al
though sho had written much for the
California press and was the author Of q
published book, she came to the metropo-
lis comparatively unknown. Her friends
= and acquaintance here were few, and II
was not until the publication of her book,
"What Dreams May Come" that the
New York public became familiar with
her name. The book attracted some at
tention, and among others in whose hands
fell copy was Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The
story won Mrs Wilcoxs interest suiIici.
emily to lead her TO ascertain something
about the author.
Learning that Mrs. Atherton was a
young widow and astranger in New York,
Mrs. Wilcox sent her kindly note Of in
vitation 10 call. The two women met ex-
changed visits, and both being bright, 4
friendship began which up TO few weeks
ago continued without interruption. Mrs.
Wilcox was cordial in her praises of the
young authoress 10 her friends, and many
were the complimentary illusions which
reached the ears Of the young widow as
paid her TO friends by her poetess friend.
THE HURTfUL PARAGRAPH.
About month ago, however, there was
published in one Of Mrs. Atherton's
weekly letters to the San Francisco Arg0n-
am the following paragraph:
ELLA Wheeler Wilcox is little mouse.
colored woman, who needs conspicuous
dress TO be noticed. Her only good ica-
turo is sensitive mouth. She is very
thin, and ina dim light looksqute young. y
\ New York paper recopied the para
graph from the letter, and Il was not long
before Mrs. Wilcox's attention was drawn
20 II. Surprise filled the soul Of the
poeless that so caustc n reference could
a.. bavo come from one whom she supposed
,nsls her friend.
"a sIuns Nlrihwith, Mrs. Wilcox inclosel It In
- .,aa I; Moving letter 10 It's author
$500 IT, ear Mrs. Atherton--Is Il possible YOU
iyS V the incosed item? / cannot imag.
ou o'Nhy youshould wish TO wound one who
~ ssss most friendly In her attitude toward
you. Ny eyes are full OF tears rs / write.
These hings hurt me so ut first, as much
from disappointment In my sex rs from
the pei onal feeling. find so much 10 be
happy over that tho pain does not last
long put never give these thrusts un-
pro'okej and am never expecting them,
Ihey>Hlso arouse in me an impulse 10 re-
iAfito which do not care TO cultivate.
= = You must be rich in women friends 10 un-
necessarily wound and aniagonize one who
was inclined 10 be your friend In deer
disappointment, yours sincerely,
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX"
Mrs ArmEHroS's REMARKABLE DEFENSE.
But II Mr. Wilcox was PANIED at tho
l.. To-.
surprise was IN store for her at receiving in
few days the following response TO hei
letter.
NV Dear Mrs wilcox--In reply to YOU
letter must speak with franknoss which
j am afraid will appear somewhat brutal
Perhaps will not be able 10 make you un
dcnland that outside Of my family and
fsw friends, people are nothing 10 me.
care neither for their good opinion nor fol
their bad; my one desire in life Is 20 be lei
Plonc-to have nothing hinder me In my
'Sork. Therefore, you may be able 10 un
dcriand that am incapable OF persona
sp'.o or MALICE people 10 not interest m,
ough 10 arouse either. In writing let
81 | jot down anything which ] thnl
Nill interest or amusc people, and hayin,
The caustic pen OF the Californian, / fire.
quontly say things which look ugly IL
r.inl IL may console you TO know that
Lave been In hot wafer ever since
took tho correspondence OF the Ar
gDnaii, and have had numbo
oi vengeance vowing letters. II
~ Characteristic Of Caliiornians 10 do q
they please. care for no one, and be care
less OF consequences or criticism. Also, !
u tho instinct OF every Californian q
scalp. lie does II without the slightes
personal venom, merely because th
tendency Is born OF bis nature. At ih
same time he always gets mad II anyon,
scalps hrst. and don't think ever wrot,
an article for the Aryoudm which did no
rpt INC into q row. When published th
"Iandolphs"- ANONYMOUSLY at tho insis
tencn OF The editor. for | had signed 10
name a. Il the community threatened 4
iaf aud feather the author u they cou
iindiiim. At the same time ! have III
reputation among my friends Of being th
most eood.naiurcd woman In tho world
But tho moment take pen In my han
the ink Turns TO gall. OF course thI
mental attitude Is misunderstood by th
public and one Is accused oicommonplac
motives. Another reason why my letter
arc unusually Hiorm.prOv0king u bccaus
dotest newspaper work. and only too
this correspondence because my friend
thought that the weekly practice would !
good for mo. The consequence Is, Their
fore, that ! am usually IN bad hunt
whc. sit down TO write, and anyb0d
who happens 10 drop into my letter Is 81
20 suffer.
do not usually answer letters OF you
description, but ~ YOU seem TO he mot
hurt than angry feel that some cxplani
ton u due you. Very sincerely,
GERTRUDE ATHERToS.
Nns wftoox's YoncinLE REPLY.
Its only natural that 30 remarkable
letter should call forth a response from ]
recipient Overcoming her first surpris
Mrs. Wilcox pcnned tbefollowing letter
her for whom she had now lost oil sense
friendship;