Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04

>6on save that it was Handsomely
carved. The auctioneer believed that
it should bring goodly figure. The
bidding was slow. No one seemed to
want the desk. But when the shrewd
auctloneer directed his assistant to
start the report that it was the
veritable desk upon which the
famous Murchison letter was written
the bidding became extremely lively
and the piece was knocked down for
price much larger than the auctioneer
expected. How true it is that the
public dearly loves to be guided.
IHE Lincoln history is now appear
ing IN the Century Magazine costs
Mr.. sRoswe]l Smith, the proprietor of
that periodical, $4,000. The way in
which he came to pay this extraordinary
price is thus described: Mr.. Smith
found the "War Series" approaching
an end, and naturally wanted some
thing to take its place. In his anxiety
he declared he would give $4,000 for
substitute or successor to the articles
which had been so prominent. At this
luncture, Col. John Hay Glanced to
present himself at the Century Office
with his manuscript. Mr.. Glider, the
principal editor, read few chapters,
and was convinced they would take.
A council of war was held of editors
and publisher, and on the strength of
Mr.. elders judgment it was decided
to accept the history Mr.. Smith
thought he had secured the prize of
which he was in search-the material
that was to take the place Of the great
"War Series" Hay meanwhile had
gone back to Washington, and Glider
now wrote for Nicolay and him to re-
turn. They came, and to their amaze
ment and delight were offered $50, 900
for the manuscript, for which they would
doubtless have been glad to receive a
much smaller sum.
ONLY those on the inside" of New
York literary and journalistic circles,
says the New York Star, know any
thing about "The Box Syndicate
Press" bureau from which emanate
many Of the best and most striking lit
erary articles by famous authors found
in the modern newspaper. It is owned
and managed by two brothers, Edward
w. and William J. Box, both young
Brooklyn men. The combined ages of
these two young publishers do not
make the figure fifty, and yet within
their control rests one of the most re-
markable literary influences of to-day.
They control the literary work of some
forty-five of the most famous men and
women of the day, which they supply
to newspapers simultaneously all over
this country and in Canada and En-
gland. Edward Box holds RESPONSE
BILE position in one of the big New York
publishing houses, and his name is
withheld from the enterprise. William
devotes all his time to the work, and
under his name the business is con-
Quoted. While Edward makes all the
contracts with authors, William stands
at tie helm and carries out the ideas
of his younger brother. A better
matched couple of brothers it would be
difficult to find. Edward has won
derfully extensive acquaintance among
famous people. He is we'll read, has
good literary Judgment and knows pre-.
cisely what the people want. William
is of untiring energy, and q doubtful
literary venture becomes success in
his hands. The brothers are very pop
ular in society, and one is almost sure
to meet them at any prominent literary
or social event. Both are good takers,
have pleasant manners, and what the
one lacks the other supplies. They
have built up their business from moth
ing. Henry Ward Beecher started
Edward by making him his literary
manager, and in this way the bureau
began. Now, almost every author OF
note writes for the two brothers. They
have no difficulty in securing writer's,
for they pay promptly and manage ex-
cellently. Their principal writer's in
clude Grace Greenwood, Wilkie Col
Inns, Marion Harland, Lew Wallace,
Ella Wheeler, Will Carleton, Max
O'Rell and q score. of others. They
work quietly, the general public hears
but little of them, yet it is doubtful
whether any two young men in New
York have so bright future before
| them. -.-----
The Jackdaw and the Owl.