The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-02
JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
The Creator of "Uncle Remus" as He Is
His Work and His Home

The author Of the famous Uncle Re
mus tales was DCrn IN Middle Georgia
in 1913. His early education was received
at tie printers case IN country news
paper office, and here he laid the founda-
uOn for LIS future career as Il journalist
The writing Of his folklore tales and
other stories Of Southern lie has been
incidental 10 his other work, or to quote
his own words, "aS =. sort OF recreation
and relief from The pressure ana grind OF
editorial writing His stories are all
written at night, after his family has
ret. I'd, and untl the early hours or the
morning the family sitting room is tenn
porarily transformed into library. Dur
ing The day Mr.. Harris devOles himself
20 ms duties as editorial writer lor me
Atlanta Constitution, win Whlch paper
he is permanently connected. \ south
erner by birth ANA residence, lie shares
none OF the prejudices commonly attri-
hIted 10 Southern men, but is iond. IN
private conversation. Of calling himself
Joel Chandler Harris is at home in
neat cottage of the familiar Southern
type which neStles near the bosom OF
grove of sweet gum ana pine trees III
the little village OF West Ioihl' apout
three miles from the heart OF the
Southern Chicago as GeuTSlans de-
Nrht 10 cell Atlanta. In the grove a
mockine bird family sings. Around the
house are a few acres OF ground "hich
are carefully cultivated. In one corner
Craze a group OF beautiful Mlnerva-eyed
Jerseys. At one side of the house hives
OF bees are placed near Hover garden
sloping down 70 the street, which passes
i'm front Of the house several rods dis
tant At the foot of :he road - bub-
hing mineral spring. whose sparkling
wafer supplies the needs OF the mousse
hold. A superb English mastin eyes with
dfpui0rd glance the casual visitor whose
coming is apt 10 be announced by the
mark of two of the finest dogs IN The
country. one bulldoS, the other white
English bull-terrier.
MIR Harris neignbOTS are few, but one
who is his closest friend calls for men
tior. II is Mr.. Evan r. Howell, whose
manor is across the way. He Is mem
Der of a distinguished Georgia family
whose name is known at the North
through Howell Cobb, a former Secretary
of me Treasury. Mr.. Howell himself has
become known 10 the general public As
having declined the Manchester Consulate
In retain his present position as chief
editor and owner of the Atlanta Con
stituuon" in whose pages, by Mr. How
ellis persuasion, Uncle RemuS made his
first appearance. The interior OF the cot
tagc is simple and unassuming. Bric-a-
brac and trumpery articles OF bigotry
and virtue" are absent. The places they
generally occupy are taken up with wide
windows and generous hearths. OF lit
ersry litter there is none. There are few
books, but they have been read and re-
read. and they are the best OF books.
The house is not a library, a museum,
nor an art gallery, but ii Is evidently Il
home in which children take the place
of inanimate objects of devotion.
In person Mr.. Harris has few peculiari-
ties. H. stature he is of the average
height of the people OF his section. rather
under the average height OF the people
Of the Eastern and Middle States. The
Northern papers have spoken Of MIR. Ca
bic as a little man. lie and Mr.. Harris
are about Of a size. which Is not much
eXcelled in their section except by the
H. srta.v l. L.. IL.
lures are small, his face is tanned and
fr-ckled, his mouth is covered by a stub.
by red muStache, and his eyes are small
and blue. Both his eyes and mouth are
extremely mobile, sensitive, and express
sive. There is probably no living man
more truly diitdent: but his diiiidence is
the result OF excessive sympathy ana
tenderness, which cause the bright blue
eyes 10 Well up at any bit of paihos JIst
as they fairly sparkle with humor; HIS
amus' nents and tastes are few ana si4-
pie. His constant companions are Shdk-
speare. Job. St Paul. and Eccleslastes.
He is devoted to his family which con-
sists OF his mother, his wife, -FOUR eX,
ceedingly bright boys ana a GIRL ahh
the flock OF mocking birds that winter
in his gardens. He never goes INTO so
Ciety or to the theatre. lie once actel
as dramatic critic Of the Cons titution,"
but his misery at being Obliged 10 see
and criticse dull actors was so acute
that ne soon resigned the position. Inc
Small-talk OF society mas no dt.IdcuVus
for him His home is enough. When fis
children are tired and sleepy ard are
put TO bed. he writes at the hreside
where they have been sitting. IL Is
warm In winter and cool IN summer.
and never lonely; and so strong is his
domestic instinct that although he had
a room built specially az study. nc
500 deserted its lonely .cheerleJJness ior
the comforts of his home. where ma
tender and kindly nature makes him
loved by every ono.