The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19


conflict have always a great deal OF IN
accuracy and blindness In them. IL re-
quires the Christening and softening IN
fiuences OF time to make us see beneath
the broad and polished surface Of gen.
q al society all that is underneath. ana tliat
n ay be attractive and beautiful. The 10y
atty the Il nderness. the spiritual exait alton
and above all. the theological breadth
and liberation of the Cavaliers, may be
admitted to-day by even the hardest OF
Radicals. The high purpose. the genuine
love OF popular liberty. the tenacious
courage OF the Puritan. to-day can gain
the admiration and respect OF even the
staunchest Tory.
II is so with the South also. Slavery
was hateful institution, and perhaps
though on this point there may be differ
ence Of opinion--the tremendous bath or
blood In which II was drowned may have
been inevitable: but slavery had its bright
as well as its dark side. Utter submits
siyeness, absolute impotence and depen-
dence, while they raise the spirit of OPP
preston in the mean and the brutal, APP
peal loudly and VIGOROUSLY TO the gen.
erous and the noble. And thus Ii came
TO pass that in many, perhaps IL should
be said in most Southern households,
there grew UP between master and slave
the tenderest and strongest ties. The boy
that was handed to the male child Or
every wealthy planter on its birth, ceased
soon 20 be the slave, and became. first
playfellow. and then confidential friend
sworn ally-companion unto death. And
similarly, the slave girl that was be-
slowed on the young lady of the house
hold, became the lifelong friend and
mother at the same time. often united In
death as IN life. And II should also be
added that the habit of command, while
IT begot the baser passions In the base,
brought forth the higher instincts of the
elevated The Southern gentleman was
naughty spendthrift, not very skillful
I'm measuring ways and means, and not
always anxious to pay his debts, but on
the other hand. he was hospitable. gener-
GUS above petty meanness; and the most
stubborn and heroic struggle OF small
i.ation against q great, which history
has Witnessed. proved that he belonged
to one Of the bravest Of races.
these are the ideas that underiie all
the stories OF Mr.. Page. But stories.
that papably ONT morals, have seldom
enduring or enthusiastic success. The
skill of a genuine story-telIer Is always
required and If Mr.. Page has readers
among oil classes and STATES Of America.
IL is from the sheer force OF his powers
Of telling a tale. simply. tersely, and
with extraordinary pathos. Some people
agree with the pictures he has drawn
OF the South. some people violently disa-
gree: but all unite in reading and well
coming every new story from his pen.
To-day he is one Of the most hghly-paid
writers Of America. and for one or his
stories for children he received higher
price than was ever before given TO any
writer, with the single exception Of Mrs.
II. Burnett.
More than one OF his stories has been
published in this country, but up to the
present ne Is not perhaps as we'll known
as he ought to be. Before you enter into
the beautiful kingdom Of fancy which he
has created-a kingdom fun Of all the
tender grace OF a day that is dead, with
all the passionate tragedy Of an old socl-
ETY. going out in blood and in the black
night Of utter defeat-before that king
dom, ] say, stands the formidable from
tier Of dialect, strange 10 most people
on this side Of the Atlantic. Most Of the
stories profess to be told by negroes,
and, Of course are told in their language.
But the negro dialect is very easily under
stood after the first for bidding difncul-
ties have been overcome. | have some
contempt for the lover Of literature who
would be deferred from knowing new
and beautiful writer by the small obstacle
Of a dialect. For my own part, cannot
Page has laid me. 1t was in his pages l
learned to know something for the first
time of n society, Of ideals. and or types
from which / had hitherto turned away
In the bigotry of preconceived and gen
eral notions He has made live before my
eyes the Southern man and woman or
the past, and to a certain extent OF tne
present; he has taught me the useful and
always necessary lesson that even bad
institutions can produce some good re-
suits; above ALL has strengthened in me
that humane, genial, and broad spirit or
looking at human society and human
character, which is the beginning OF all
wisdom.
Men Of literary tastes have nothing
niggard in their hospitality; they cordially
and gladly invite all the rest OF the world
TO the feasts at which they have richly
hanauetted. 1t is in that spirit that l
pray every reader OF this brief preface
TO go TO the pages that follow for all the
pathos. grace, regret without bitterness
and tears without pain, which l have
found in them.