The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-06

taught; at least that is my conviction. /
wrote my best poem lat least my most
popular one; claim have others as good
as ''Curiew'') before / had seen beyond
the meadows which surrounded little
country village OF 500 inhabitants. l had
no education at that time; no knowledge
OF literary people or books. / was igno-
rant of the very rudiments upon which a
literary education is based. And yet,
after years OF study and travel and
literary associations with books and au-
thors. my literary fame rests on
that first production. My early life was
passed among people whose highest am
bition for woman assembled no farther than
that she should be good housekeeper.
My poems in early married lie were kept
profound secrets from all except my hus-
band; for he always appreciated and en-
cOuraged inv work. / was extremely sem
sitive, and it was more TO my credit that
my house should be welt kept. my wash
ings large and snow white, my table sup
piled with many courses OF well-cooked
food, all prepared by my own hand. than
that should write well, for until 1850
was laundry maid, cook, seamstress and
nurse for my children. / generally worked
hard to get an hour for literary enjoyment
and writing. All, me, how circumstances
change us all"
When "Curfew" was written, Mrs.
Thrope's reading constituted Burns
poems, Moores "Lalla Rookh" and maya
zine and newspaper literature. Herschool
readers contents were committed TO
memory, and was mine of pleasure for
her to recite them. In 1888 the faculty OF
Hisdale college, Michigan, conferred to
her the honorary degree OF mas er OF arts.
She has written several books for young
people, also several serial stories for boys
and girls, and many poems have been con-
tributed by her TO the Youths Companion,
Our Continent, ST. Nicholas, PeterSon's Maya
zine, u ide ACakf, Independent and several
other magazines.
How many of you, my readers. have had
many more opportunities than had Rose
Hartwick Thrope?-and are not ambitious
enough to try and "set your mark high,
and be living for une to Yourself and
famous TO the world? You have always
had everything at hand to wrlle with and
will you let those opportunities go by,
whiting on something or other that
wouldn't keep the circulation In your
body or the power to influence, only by
serious means. the very closest friend.
How many ladies in the land today in
the situation of Mrs. Thorpe, only having
ambition enough TO become good house
keepers. That in one respect is not right.
Many may say "if only had the chance
/ would try and see what l could do in the
world other than be a farmer" You
should be more ambitious and be like
many persons now famous. The pay now
Tor intellectual labor is far better than for
physical labor, and why shou d you
choose the latter if YOU have a head for
knowledge? Go on with this work I!
Sing your songs! Let the rural raise in
the arms of music and march forward!
Drapory Of night hangs
Lofty over hill aud meadow,
Slumbers wrap us in joyous dreamsl
May-day, 1891. HARPER LivINss."
p. S.-Anyone wishing correspondent
to exchange thoughts on literature, | will
kindly ask you, as | am now permanently
situated at CovingtOn, Ind, and an ad
dress by my nom will reach me, to cores
pond with me. Can anyone kindly sup
ply me the "True Story OF Jules Verne"
written last fall for the Youths Companion,
and / shall repay obligingly.