New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-14
A CASE OF AUTHORSHIP.

rohnson's book was out. His library door was
locked and the author sat before the blazing fire
inhaling the delicate aroma of an after-dinner
cigar deep in the anticipated delights of a first
glance among the uncut pages of the virgin
volume that rested beside him on the table A
messenger boy had brought It with the compli-
ments of the publishers not ten minutes before,
and Johnson. under the plea of important bust
ness. had MED him from the bosom of his family
10 gloat in quiet this offspring of his brain
Settling himself comfortably in the big armchair.
he took the cleaning walrus tusk that served
as paper-cutter and pushing it slowly beneath
the string of the package. burst the bands. The
thick brown covering parted. there came a
CLEAN Of flashing tin corner protectors. rustic
Of tissue paper and Johnson's book his first at
tempt. lay in view before him. What his sensa-
tons were it would be useless to describe; every
author knows them 1t need only be said that
closing his eyes for a moment, Johnson
perienccd that peculiar delight and satisfaction
which come but once in lifetime and is gone
like leeting shadow. He first looked at the
biI"ing. 1t was credit to the publisher. to
him. and to the importance Of the subject: rich.
beautiful aesthetic Again he looked into
the fire. holding the volume caressngly as he
watched the flames play through the smoke and
cinders and for another few moments INDUCED
in the intoxicating delights of authorship a
weakness; which he would have scOrned to ex-
hbit In public Recovering himself he turned to
the title page. All there it was: Absaom Court
ney Johnson He read every letter then scanned
each word; gazed at il from the north. from the
southeast, from every point in the compass from
above and below. He fingered over IL long and
tenderly until the ashes of his cigar rolled up
his sleeve; then he turned to the table of con-
tents the list Of illustrations and finally began
the preface reading it and over. coming TO
the initials A. c. ]. each time with a great and
growing satisfaction. Then he conned the sue
ceeding pages finding pleasure in the lines
and the appearance of the work. and finally as
the gong of the maEtel clock sounded the hour of
twelve. laid the book down and rose, conscious
that new epoch in his career had begun.
Johnson was well acquainted with himself as
the saying goes. He was a practical business
man. possessed Of all the natural shrewdness that
underes success in trade. and being a con-
scientious man he did not have so high an opin-
ion Of his intellectual powers he wished the
world to have; hence in this evening of pleasure
In his sensations of delight and triumph. there
had been a faint element of surprise that he had
been able to produce book of this kind. AS
he thought It over, he slowly came to the concu-
sion, however. that a man may be genius and
his innate modesty never find it out except by
possible accident The more he considered the
matter. the longer he gazed at the volume the
more he became convinced that for years he had
been blind to the shining light burning within
him. and that by consecrating all his efforts to
the canned goods interests he had possibly
deprived the public Of valuable services in the
field of letters.
This line Of reasoning accumulative, and
turning out the gas Johnson walked up stairs
tn fha ortp 81 hic
newborn dignity
Mrs. Johnson Immediately noticed it, What's
the natter" she exclaimed, dropping the coil of
hair which she unwindng with that
peculiar backhand motion possible only to her
sex. She had caught the expression in the
mirror. and as she turned Johnson approached
and silently held out the book.
Mrs Johnson took the volume curiously
opened II at the title page. and as the authors
name greeted her eyes she turned slightly pale,
then flushed exclaiming naively, "Absalom! you
don't mean to say"
But do" retorted Mr.. Johnson, folding his
wife in his arms; and If any one had been on the
other side they might have seen salt and pie
thorlc tear Of supreme Joy and gadness cours-
ing down the authors cheek.
1t was but the weakness of a moment: recoy-
ering himself, with conscious pride. the author
told his story: how he had worked for months
on this to surprise her: how he had found pub |
Usher who. after examining the manuscript |
had pronounced II one of the most remarkable |
books Ct the day and had encouraged him TO
Issue II Immediately, he Uohnson) paying the |
simple ordinary expenses Of type-setting. bind |
ing and publishing. while they circulated the |
book to the four corners of the earth All the !
minute details Of the work were gone over; |
how upon various occasions he had been nearly |
caught while writing; what a time he had had |
keeping the proof away from the curious eyes |
OF the family. and much more. Mrs johnson |
was delighted. She had never suspected that her
husband literary and frankly told him so, |
but as Johnson had not suspected 1t himself |
until very lately. he not discomfited
The following day Johnson entered the Board |
of Trade rooms with new individuality The |
rumor had already gone abroad. and ne
introduced TO his colleagues by facetious friend |
as "a author" while in honor Of the occasion
another friend had suspended from the wall a
gigantic gold pen. borrowed from stationer.
suggestive Of the supremacy Of that weapon
either In or peace.
johnson" in the words Of friend on the bull
side OF the market. stood the racket we'll" he
could afford TO, he had produced the book
and was the lion His mail quadrupled. Con-
era tulations poured in from all quarters: likewise
reQucsts anu HiHtS III a 'oPy vi inc Woih' anu III
one way and another the author gave away
twenty copies with his autograph in writing
the title page in two days.
He had previously subscribed to two literary
bureaus that promised for the
small sum Of S. 10 send him one hundred notices
u himself ard his book. culed from the papers
II the world They said 1t was the custom to do
his among literary men, so Johnson did It; be-
yides ne wanted TO know what the world thought
" his efforts
Within a week of the publication two small
ocal papers gave the book some very favorable
.eviews THE Evening Herald" In which john
,on was a stockhoder. published column with
| sketch of Johnson's life morning paper in
vhich johnson & Blear were heavy advertisers,
ave the merchant what the literary reviewer