The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-08-29

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the lore to the literature Of the
world. Many of these books have
been written by women.
Before the war in the happy days
when the young "missus" Of scores
of slaves, had nothing to do but to
entertain and be entertained, she
learned to write letters and to tell
stories for the amusement of her
friends, never dreaming that some
day she might achieve fame and for
tune with her pen.
After the war there came a great
change, of necessity the women be-
came more independent, and in a
few years began TO turn their talent
for story telling TO some account.
Soon some of the best newspapers
and journals of the day were owned
and edited by women. Not only have
the women undertaken newspaper
work and periodicals, but many have
written charming romanees.
Foremost among the writer's OF fic-
tion in the south stands Amelie Rives
Chanier. Never has a writer been
so criticized, favorably and unfavOr-
ably as this young writer. Reared
among the Virginia mountains, sur
rounded on all sides by wealth and
luxury, a fine horse-woman, a bril-
liant conversationalist, her conver-
sational powers inherited from n long
line % distinguished ancestors, il is
not to be wondered that her first
book, "The Brother TO Dragons, I"
created such a sensation.
Much TO the disappointment OF
Mrs. Chanler's friends her first book
continues to be her best. Now we
pick up "a Yellow Aster," "A Su-
perfiuous Woman" and many other
of kindred nature and lay them aside
with feeling almost akin TO disgust.
Miss NJ. G.. McClelland, cousin Of
the above writer, has also made quite
name for herself i'm the literary
world, but instead Of the vivid imagi-
native pictures Of Mrs. Chanler, Miss
McClelland's writings have been sim
pie, unaffected stories.
Mary n. Murfree tCharles Egbert
Craddockl is delicate little woman
who writes with the vigor and
strength Of a man. Miss Murfree
dwelt for some years among the bold,
unique people OF the battle-scarred
and historic mountains OF Tennessee,
and while there developed her mar
velous gift for telling realalistiC
stories, SO full Of wit and power. Her
greatest strength lies in her charac.
ter delineation. IL is said she has
been paid the high compliment Oi
having her character delineatior
compared with that OF George III.
lott.
Another charming story teller il
Grace King. Miss King, New OR.
leans girl, amused her friends by her
quaint pathetic little stories of South.
ern life, for years before she thought
OF writing for the public.
To many the works from the pro
life pen Of Augusta Evans Wilson
are more precious than any Of the
above. Who has not read and en-.
ljoyed est. Elmo" "Beulah" and
"Macaria ?"
The pious Margaret J. Preston
ranks high among the Southern
poets.
Julia Magruder and Mrs. Burtor
Harrison are two entertaining writ
ers. Lastly comes Miss winni,
Davis, the winsOme Daughter OF this
Confederacy. From the favorable
criticism her new novel THE VeileS
Doctor" is receiving, il viii not b
long before she, too, will becOm'
prominent in the world OF letters.
L. il to be wondered that almos
all of these writer's have been re
ceived with such enthusiasm an'
generous praise, when We think o
the picturesque sunny land in whicl
they dwell? Let us bring before GU
minds eve the homes Of some O
these writer's. Now we are in Nir
ginia, in an old-fashioned hous
, among the mountains inside all
, coy and comfortable; on all side
, are mementOes Of the old colonia
days. Outside the air is fragran
, with the scent Of magnolias and ies
amines. Listen Do We not hear d
the dim distance a mocking bir
singing and the katydids whisperin
10 their matesg
We do not wonder the Souther
, women find so many themes for th
, romance and poetry Of which the
:. are fast growing famous.
Miss NJ. L. PEYToS.
NnrAH raH TMRE