The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-16

secretaries to President Lincoln was enor-
nous, and had been vastly increased in the
fifteen years after Lincolns death, during
which they were engaged in the prelimi-
nary work of compilation. So that, if
Colonel Hay wrote THE Bread Winners"
he did so while he was also engrossed in
one of the most stupendous biographies
ever written.
Colonel Hay has extraordinary literary
elasticity, so to speak. While engaged in
the most serious of literary work he was
able TO find recreation and rest in penning
an editorial or in writing a brief and semi
humorous essay or poem or sketch. 1t may
have been that in this way he put the fin
ishing touches upon The Bread Winners"
In literary circles in New York a rumor
has been heard for some time that as soon
as Colonel Hay finishes some business en-
gagements which occupy his time he will
undertake the writing of book which,
while not exactly fiction or romance, will
nevertheless undertake to portray certain
business and political types with which his
experience has made him very familiar.
Nobody now living in Washington would
be more competent TO give us in counter
felt accurate and delightful types of the
men who were prominent in governmental
affairs. Although Colonel Hay appears to
the superficial glance to be a rather stern
and unsympathetic person, yet he is really
possessed OF the keenest sense of humor,
and if he were to draw some of the dis
tinctive types who make life in the Amer
lean capital so picturesque we should be
sure to have some delightful sketches.
Colonel Hays friends have hoped that he
would undertake to write novel of Amer
lean political life as it is developed in
Washington, and many of them have urged
him to do so. Mr.. Blaine has told his
friends that from Colonel Hays pen we
could get what no one in recent years has
ever been able to draw, and that Is a faith
full and easily recognized type of the true
American politician. Colonel Hay would
not make the atrocious plumbers which
characterize novel purpOrting to repIe-
sent political life in Washington, and which
was called Democracy" Some of the in
cidents written in that novel Were mon
strously ridiculous. For instance, the presi-
dent elect was represented as selecting his
cabinet Immediately upon his arrival in
Washington and holding q cabinet meet
ing, although be was not yet inaueurated,
nor was his cabinet officers confirmed by
the senate And the book was full OF blum
ders. so that, though 1t was accepted in
England rs perfect picture Of political
life. it caused nothing but amusement n
circles familiar with suca life.
There are some indications that Colonel
Hay is almost tempted 70 make the effort,
ana it will be a red letter day in American
literature If ne finally determines 20 do so.
The success OF The Bread Winners"
brought out q number OF books Of SINH
lar purpose. The most successful OF these
was the one entitled The Money Makers"
which was published anonymously, but
the authorship OF which was az last traced
TO Henry Z. keenan,. Mr.. Keenan, has Just
written "A new book called The Iron
Game" and IN some respects II : the most
spirited aud delightful CT MS novels. Mr..
keenan, was for many years journalist Of
ability, but be abandoned that profession,
and has been devoUing himself 70 pure lit
ersture. and has even Quilted tAs excite