Connecticut western news., 1889-06-05
THE FIRST EDITION.

1Au A 41tO j. JUL 44O1Vs
 "DEAR SIR: We take pleasure in announc- ing to you that the first edition of your work, The Swallows being sold, second edition should be printed.
 "Have the kindness to call at our office, so that we may make the necessary arrange ments. Yours truly,
 "MAssoL BRorHEsR, PUBLISHERS"
 When I received this letter, said the celebrated dramatic author, Henry Didier, was overcome with joy and astonishment, but was even more as- tonished than delighted.
 The first edition of "The Swallows," my first work, volume of poetry, ex- hausted! And was barely twenty-two years old, 1 knew no one in Paris, noth- ing else of mine had ever been printed except some advertisements! And in what space of time had this unexpected and astounding result been achieveda In single month! Then it was success, real success2 So had talent2 Ibegan to be appreciated by my contemporaries whom I had hitherto slandered, accus- ing them of being insensible to all poetry, and regarding them as stupid countrymen.
 What future was before me! After this volume I would write a second one at which I had already worked-in fancy Then would produce something for the theatre, the spring board which launches you, all at once, into renown, glory and prosperity. And why not novel, alsos began to dream of psy- chological essays, with descriptive scenes which should be both exact and interesting. My brain was on fire. All the wild ambitions of youth whispered in my ear. I read the welcome letter again and again. walked around and around my room, gesticulating violently.
 "Well, what does this mean, my dear boys'
 My grandfather face appeared at the door. A kindly face, closely shaven, with large nose, bright eyes shining behind the spectacles, well-combed wig encircling smiling countenance.
 "Why, grandfather, just read this letter.''
 When he had perused it, he said:
 "Well, what of that9 It seems to me that your poems are charming"
 'But just think, grandfather, it is an unexpected success. Nobody reads poetry nowadays"
 "People read yours, it seems. You ought to be satisfied"
 "Of course am."
 "Thcn you are happya"
 "Can you doubt it9"
 stNo more could be desired" He opened his snuff box and took pinch, looking at me with smiling eyes. A quarter of an hour later I was at Massols store. sprang up the stairs to the office of the elder brother, who was accustomed to treat witt, authors.
 The door of the office was closed, and sound of voices escaped. The pub- fisher was engaged. sat down upon a bench and waited my turn. And as waited, recalled my emotion on my first visit to this publishing house; how l my heart beat as l mounted the stairs with my manuscript under my arm, and how trembled when I entered Massor officel
 The ofice-door opened, and X., a member of the Academy, came out, ac- companied by the smiling and obsequi- ous publisher. He was successful au- thor, and they made much of him. Would I ever climb so high2
 Massol beckoned to me in kindly and paternal manner. He begged me to be seated, and installing himself in his arm chair, said:
 ''You received our letter2"
 "Yes, Mir. Massol."
 "A book of poetry sold in month! Between ourselves, I don't understand it at all."
 This was not very f1atterlng, but l myself had been so much astonisbed that readily excused his astonishment
 ''Very curious, about your book," he continued; ''people buy it, but no one talks about it. never before saw any thing like that in the publishing busi- ness. Very curious, very curious"
 And he laughed heartily.
 It was then and there agreed that they would at once print 500 copies of "The Swallows" as more orders might reason ably be expected. And 8 few days lat CT I saw my dear volume majestically displayed in the windows of the book stores, adorned with the fattering in- scrip.ion "second Edition"
 Decidedly l amounted to something. Nevertheless Massols remarks did trouble me little. No one talked about my book, no one seemed to have read it, except the persons to whom had presented it, and they had not said very much.
 Encouraged by this first success, went eagerly to work. l wrote my first play, 1.-The Grandmother" which as you recollect, was successful at the Odeon; then 1 wrotc ''The Victims o1