The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-23
THE LITERARY WORLD.
Louie j. Jennings and His Work ~ .
Writer Of Stories.

- S~~NASSS
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, May 11.-When Mr.. Louis J
Jennings was living in New York he wa
about the last person who would have beel
considered as likely to produce works O
fiction. Not that he did not have tn
ability, but that he was a very busy man
intensely absorbed in his duties as
journalist, and at one time particular,
engaged in a most stirring and importan
public service Yet we now have tn
second novel from his pen. 1t is entitled
''The Philadelphia" aud although it ha
been published in this country only
few days, the sale has been considerable
This is partly due, perhaps, to Mr.
Jennings prominence as a member Of TIT
English parliament, and partly to the fac
that anything he may write is sure Il
be read by considerable number Of those
who knew him when he was the editor oil
the New York Times.
Yet this personal interest does not &C
count entirely for Mr. Jennings popular
ity as writer of fiction. His first story
called "The Millionaire" was an exciting
tale In it Mr.. Jennings revealed capac-
ity to tell an interesting story He adopted
the favorite method of novelists who know
|
England. of depicting the experiences of a
wealthy American while in exciting life on
the other side of the ocean. The story was
SO good that the recollection of it easily in
! duced those who read it to read 1.-The Phil
adelphian."
This latter story might just as well have
been called 1.-THE Virginian," or 1.-The Dyna-
inter-" or "The Welsh Squire" for the
| IF yrb ic1 no i1oI i'll; =
story is really subordinate to that which is
ascribed to other characters. The story in
word describes the experiences of Vir-
| ginian and his daughter at the castle of a
| lonely Welsh squire, who has married for
his second wife an American lady, and
who is mysteriously murdered. The plot
hinges upon this mystery of murder, and
the discovery of the assassin is told with
no little dramatic power, and is quite as
surprising denouement as are some of
Wilkie Collins.
AS a delineator of characters Mr.. Jen-
nings is even less successful in "The Phila-
delphian" than in "The Millionaire" His
men and women are too automatic; their
creation is too manifest. Once in while
they say and do something which suggests
real flesh and blood creatures But, on the
whole, Mr.. Jennings handling of them is
too manifest; they are too apparent agents
in the telling Of the story. But while he
evidently fails in suggesting living charac-
tiers, Mr.. Jennings succeeds in telling a
story which eXcites and keeps the interest
until the end. In this work his journal
istic bent is very evident, and the story of
THE Philadelphia" is just such as might
have been expected from a competent re-
,bn &c
crime.
When Mr.. Jennings was making himself
and the New York Times famous by the
extraordinary combat which he carried on
successfully with ring rule in New York
city, whose boss was William NJ Tweed,
it was supposed that he had the most
promising career ahead of him of any of
the younger men in journalism. He was
the editor of The Times, chosen to succeed
Henry j. Raymond, but he did not control
the property, excepting in his editorial
capacity. After the victory of The Times
over the Tweed ring Mr.. Jennings star
was in the ascendant, and he had friends |
who were willing to place money at his |
disposal with which to buy controlling in
terest in that newspaper. For a time it |
seemed as though Mr.. Jennings would sue |
coed, but the control passed elsewhere, and !
he retired from the management of the !
paper at the very time when he seemed to
be about 20 secure permanent foothold |
and to become recognized as among the
chiefs of Journalism in New York
Mr.. Jennings returned to England. his
native land, and it was thought that he
would in London perhaps duplicate his
brilliant career as a journalist in New
York. This Judgment, however, was not
confirmed. While Mr.. Jennings did con-
tinue his journalistic work, and was es-
teemed an able journalist, yet his successes
have been more in political direction than
in newspaper work. He was elected to
where he has served for sew
eral years, and where he managed to lift
himself above the average level which
that body of legislators.
1t was surprise when Mr. Jennings
showed some desire to give up political ac-
Ivlty and to devote himself to literature
The quality of his intellect is aggressive:
ne is fighting politician, just as he was
lighting journalist. Activity, the desire to
De of influence in the shaping of events.
md great courage in maintaining his posi-
ion, are the qualities which especially dis
inguish Mr. Jennings, but they are not
Z
al writer of stories. Therefore, when his
irst novel, "The Millionaire" was pub
ished it was thought that it would reflect
'lr. Jennings aggressive, combative nat
ire, and might be discussion of the bust I
less problems of the day under the guise
# fiction. But it was nothing of the sort:
was simply a story, and told for the sake
# the story. Mr.. Jennings has the capac-
ty 10 become great story teller, although {
lie certainly will be unable to win grea. E
anne as q creator and delineator OF char
cter.
just as "The Philadelphian" was pub
shed Mr.. Jennings was celebrating the
marriage OF his daughter. one of a large ,
8mily Of beautiful girls. He married that
harming actress and beautiful woman, so 7
onC a favorite In New York, Miss Madeline {
ienriques, and most devoted wife she has T
cen to him. E. J. EDWARDS y
The Sounds OF the Cttv
There is certainly nothing musical IN r