The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-18

feWrite II. Ana there - very seldom an
erasure or interiineation in her manu-
ocript.
When l entered her snug cottage at
Ewampscott, Mass. her son Vivian, "Lit-
tie Lord Fauntleroy," who is now tall,
line looking young man, sat at the piano
so utterly lost in improvisation that he
did not know anybody was listening to
ments put her finger to her lips and led
me back to her study-her .'den" she calls
it--thus saving the young man from the
embarrassment Of finding himself caught
in the act.
must leave IL to the DETER hand of the
society writer 20 describe gowns and frills,
but cannot resist the temptation to saw
that Mrs. Burnett's hair looks as il some
frolicking sprite had gathered up q great
armful of snnbeams and tumb'ed them
upon her head with reckless extravaganza
and fascinating disregard Of conventional
hairdresscrs' laws. Her hair and her talk
alive eyes and her fndescribable grace were
here simply TO learn somewhat of her lit
erary methods
Her 'dsn" 10 pretty little back room
on the main floor, away from the noise Of
the parior; and noisy parlor it generally
Is, for Mrs. Burnett always has her house
full OF young people, and what with their
banjos and mandolins and laughter and
phere OF the placs in healthful circula-
ticn. Yes, and they write themselves into
her books without knowing how they do
Il, for young folks are her special inspira-
tion.
At O'Clock every morning Mrs. Burnett
sets out Tor long, brisk walk, returning
~ 8 After breakfast she retires at once to
her study and writes, usually having her
pen in her hand before 8 o'clock.
II suppose / ought to quit about 1
O'Clock. she says. "but when am getting
on smoothly the work is SO pleasant that
often stay at my desk until g."
1t va: this yielding to the pleasure of
ington City . few years ago. But going
back to the home Of her childhood in En-
gland restored her energies and notwith-
standing the terrible Affections she suf-
fered there she has returned to the land of
her adoption in almost perfect health.
The history Of her latest book, soon to
be issued by the Scribners. gives good
idea of the manner in which her stories
work themselves out. During her stay in
England. after the story Of Little
Lord Fauntleroy" had established
her fame as an interpreter of
child life. she was frequently impor-
tuned TO write this or that recollection OF
them to her friends. but she was not yet
strong enough 10 resume her literary
labors. However. when the greatest
trouble of her life, the loss OF her splendid
boy Lionel. came upon her, she turned to
her desk as the one available means of re-
lief from her overwhelming sorrow. And,
oh, what balm there is in o good day s
work. When enough Of these stories had
been written to make volume she en-
titled them "Children Who Have Made
Ssories,' and sent them to a London pub
Usher. lie thought the title would not be
understood, SO at his suggestion she
changed IL To Children Whom l Have
Known" Some time later, when the
Serihners had the same volume in hand in
this country. Mrs. Burnett conceived the
idea of adding another chapter, entitled
1.-The One Knew the Best of All" TO be a
recollection of an event or two in her
own childhood. This idea pleased the
publishers very much, and she began the
additional chapter.
The little story started out at an easy
canter. but as il went along fresh MEM
cries applied their whips, and soon the
story broke into furious run. Mrs. Bur
nett tried to stop il. but it would not stop.
She screamed 10 her publishers 10 help her
stop IL. but they only stood by and laughed
at her predicament
at will never do" she said. ",o make
the last chapter as long as ali the rest of
the book"
''Let 1, run" said Mr.. Burlngame. of
Serthaers. Ii is beating the record"
She did let IL run. because she could not
stop it, and on il tore until it had tray-
efsed the distance of whole volume. Sd
now pretty soon the ScFibners will bring
cut her latest book under the title. The
One Knew the Best OF ALA Memory OF
the Mind of o Child
Mrs. Burnett, like sll successful writers.
receives many manuscripts from young
authors, who ask her 10 pass Judgment
On them. Bat she never reads them, 70.
although she is the soul of generosity and
sympathises warmly aid deeply with
struggling young authors. she once had an
experience which taagBt her lesson
never 10 be forgotten. A woman whom
she did not know seat manuscript IL
her, begging that she would aid her in
finding publisher for Ii. Mrs. Barnett
read few pages of is and discovering its
character sent it to her friend, the editor
of ~. Nicholas, with q kindly note. The
editor rejected the story. Some years
aiterward. when Little Lord Fauntleroy'
had made It's tremendous stir III the world
this woman who had begged the tavor
came before the public with CHARGE that
Mrs. Burnett had stolen her story and
taken the credit for IL.
.! course the charge had no weight with
those who know Mrs Burnett. since any
body IN the ieas. familiar With her writ
iacs, or esea With her conversation
would have credited "Eaunsieroy" 10 hei
il ls had been published an0ny nlorsly
But The woman aid sueceed II ieae.a.n !