Telegram-herald., 1890-10-08
ARMOY KNOX AND THE PUBLISHERS.
A Truthful Story written Sy a Friend
of Els.
Tepeclal Correspondencs.'

New YORK, Oct. 2.-No moro re-
markable apparition ever startled a
staid and respectable book publisher in
the dignifed city of Boston than that
beheld by Mr. James A Osgood-who
has recently been made the head of an
American publishing house in London
when Col. j. Annoy Knox, then ten
derfoot from Texas, burst into DIR. Os-
goods Office some years ago like trop-
icsl breeze. Even now, after the colonel
has been subjected to the restraining
influences of eastern civilization for
several years, he is what tie boys call a
''holy terror" His hat is yard and a
half in circumference, and the back of
his neck is wholly hidden by his long
dark hair, while the clothes that he
wears, although conventional in cut, are
preposterous in pattern.
He came east in search of a publisher
and brought the manuscript of his first
book with him. 1t was little anecdote
he had written about life in Texas, only
few thousand pages long. and the
manuscript came on as extra baggage In
single freight car. 1t was the manu-
script that resulted in the celebrated
book son Mexican Mustang" which
was afterward published by S. S. Scran-
ton e Co., Of Hartford, and was still
later republished in German, French and
Spanish translations.
At that time, however, Col. Knox was
little known, and he went first to Boston
in search OF a publisher. He took the
precious sheets in huge tin box, about
yard square and eighteen inches thick,
secured by combination safe lock.
Reaching Boston he hired negro porter
to carry it around to Osgood's publish
ing house. The clerks were too much
amazed at his appearance to stop him
when he inquired where Mr.. Osgood's S
private Office was and calmly walked in,
telling the darky 10 wait outside.
He introduced himself. snd before Mr.
Osgood could catch his breath he began
telling stories. That gentleman at once
became interested and chatted for half
an hour before he thought to inquire
what his callers errand was
Il want to see if You will publish my
book for me" said the colonel.
Have you the manuscript here?'
asked Mr. Osgood.
"Oh, yes" replied the colonel, and he
called the porter in with the tin box.
Before Mr.. Osgood could recover from
this second shock the colonel said, in an
offhand way, Il can leave it with you
till tomorrow if you want to read it be-
fore deciding"
Perhaps that will be just as well. ="
gasped the publisher, and Col. Knox
blew out Of tho door.
Tho next day he returned. and was
told that his book had been accepted.
but that on account Of other contracts
the firm would not undertake TO pub
lish it within about six months.
"Oh. can't wait 50 long" be ex-
claimed. "I'll tell YOU what I'll do. III
get you TO lend me nigger. a1d III
take it away and try another pub
Usher
They lent him two. and he took the
book On TO Philadelphia, where be found
another publisheT. who. after the colonel
hsd kindly allowed him twenty-four
hours to read the work, agreed 70 pub
hsh IL with copious illustrations
After his return to Texas the aspiring
suthor soon began 70 receive proof sheets.
and was greatly disRnsted with the pict-
uTes that were inserted. He rsmon-
strated with exceeding vigor. and the
Publisher wrote and asked hin what be
was going 70 90 about IT,
Col Knox did nos answer this let
teT. He went % Philsdslphia on he
next train and called at the olsoe ~ an
hour when be knew the publisher vas
cut There he spent = iovial half hour
With one q The employees. and suggested
thst he woali take tke manuscript.
which was al n the tn box. over e. his
hotel. - he wished q revise 4 = little
TIE clerk made 10 objection. and The
colonel departed ~sfh tfe box. Re never
retained DAVID 4. CCETrs
See tne llfe-slze crsvnn au8 ink por-
ira - n~tv e. WFkas e Norrt.e-st