The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-01
Especial Correspondence

has produced. His father, too, is a literary
man of exquisite taste, critical Judgment
and most charming character. Thus
blessed young Davis went out into the
world to make his way. He was for time
a reporter on the Philadelphia Press.
AS reporter Mr. Davis would never have
gained a great repute. Very likely the
highly imaginative quality of his intellect
may have made it irksome for him to do
the plodding and drudgery and to be faith
full and patient III the attention to detail
and to accuracy which make the best re-
porters. But as a writer of sketches, Of
pleasing narratives where his fancy had
full play, he quickly won repute in news
paper circles. He was then known as Dick
Davis, most charming fellow, an athlete,
whole souled, genial, unaffected, and with
the proverbial indifference TO the pecun-
larry matters which CharacteriZes great tai
ent sometimes. The first money he ever
received for literary work was ten dollars,
and he spent it buying two match safes.
Mr. Davis came 20 New York in August,
1889, and was employed as a reporter on
The Evening Sun. There his merits as a
descriptive and delightful sketch writer
were speedily appreciated, as well as the
fact that as a reporter pure and simple
some of his companions exceeded him. 1t
is only justice to say that while Mr.. Davis
stories might have secured him the entree
to the magazines on their merits, yet be
was undoubtedly aided in these approaches
by the distinguished literary repute of his
mother, the high reputation as a critic
which his father had, and the intimate So
cial and personal relations which be was
}, afis of tho
leading magazines of New York city.
These incidental circumstances gave him
an advantage unquestionably over others,
and to some extent account for his speedy
appearance in the magazines. The fact
does not detract at all from his literary
work, which is excellent, and which en-
titles him to the consideration which ne
has received; but the fact does account for
the comparative ease with which ne got
his work before the public.
Just as his fame was spreading MT.
Davis was called into the mana cement Of
the news and special feature department
of Harpers' Weekly. and 1t Is quite likely
that his duties there, which are onerous
and very responsible. may interfere some
what with further story writing, except at
great intervals OF time This, from the
public point of view, is TO be regretted.
Davis an Rudyard kiplinS were for a
time great friends. When The Hanging OF
Danny Deever" appeared. Mr.. Davis set the
poem to music, using a motive so greatly
like one OF those which appears IL Beet
hoveu's overture to ''CorjoIanus" Is to sug-
gest adaptation from il. 1t was a weird
and suggestive strain. and when Mr.. Davis
played and sang II, It was said by those
who heard it that one could almost see
/ the execution. He sent Mr.. Kipling = copy,
and 70 bis regret and chagTin kpling
never made any acknowledgment Of II, or
| in fact communicated in any way with Nr.
/ Davis. Whether he was offended, or " het D.
er some other petty passion Inspired him.
/ it seemed Is though Kipiing had forgotten
( the friendly ties that once existed between
them
/ Those who know Kiuliug best, however
/ are not surprised az tais seeming ciscour-
/ tesv. z J. EDWARDS