The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08
MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL.
THE LATEST LITERaRr SUCCESS or
THE OLD DOMINION.
Dawn I'm Old Gloucester the little Virginia
Cir, Began Her Day Dreams-Iier Rise
To Fame and Fortune.

Virginia may Justly be proud OF the
latest literary success OF Molly Elliot
Seaweu. who has just won the prize
offered by the New York Herald for the
best novelette, She, with Julian Haw-
thorne and Edgar Fawcett. obtained rec
oenition for excellent stories. For being
I'm such company she may also be con-
graduated.
In the county Of Gloucester, at quaint
inland place called 1.-THE Shelter Molly
Seawell was born. The rambling man
sion with it's several additions, low cell
ings and easement windows, Is GOOD
setting for romance, ana under lne
branches of the gnarled trees whlch a.
most tap the tiny windoW-panes, tne 1T
tie Virginia girl began her day dreams.
John Tyler Seawen, the father OF the
authOress and nephew or President Iyler,
was one of the best jury lawyers III
eastern Virginia. He was member OF
tho Constitutional Convention which
passed the ordinance OF secession. NOT
only was he a learned counsellor, bn,
a genial host. and good coinfade on al
occasions who could play the nddle,
sing a song and tell good story lie
married Miss Fanny Jackson, OF Balu-
more. The nearnes5 OF The shelter
20 the courthouse MADE II a iaNorapIe
stopninC-Dlace i'm county where taVerns
stand a poor chance. Lawyers, abreast,
eagerly discussing the respective merit
Of their cases, would ride along the ROAD
70 The Shelter, ana whe Wien, an rSri o tnr
their argument, a small enid, eagerly
listening and unobserved, absorbed me
reason Of their discourse; consequently.
when but a child she could take point
against her father with small discredit
Her career contradicts one OF hef strohe
est short articles, The Lack OF the Gre
alive Faculty i'm Woman, which pro-
voked much discussion at the time or
its publication-for her tales are original
piquant, and adroi1y handled.
\ CLEVER CHILD.
Molly seaweu was always a clever
child. with marked individuality OF opin-
ion and purpose. She was a talented pl-
anist and almost from her banyh ZOO
could play what she chose tall the sea
wells cam. There was a joke told on
Mrs. Stawell which caused much laugh
ter at the time. When Molly would NOT
go 10 sleep in the midnight hours, ME-.
Seawell would try 10 sOotne her rlth
ullabies. On such an occasion Mr. sea
well grew dcsperatc--the mixture o. BABY
| walls and the mothers grooming was TOO
much. MY dear Fanny ne exclaimed,
when you get 10 heaven eat as much
milk and honey as you choose, but never
dare to sing for you will ne put out o..
The entire freedom OF Molly Seaweil !
| childhood and youth probably conduced
70 the development OF her fancy UPON
"A sorrel. Cob. with Wallace. the groom,
| about n hundred yards behind, she was
| a familiar figure along the country roaus.
When John Seawell died he left n poor
| competence for his family and ms IN
| dulged but clever daughter cons ututeo
| herself the head Of the nousthOid, arr
| started out 10 make her living ne
| Shelter" was sold, ana sne lett blouceS-
| ter for the city Of Norfolk. s -
But not finding there the life she mao
| planned. she set out Tor washington,
| believing IT TO be the arena upon WIZ.
[ Ooh soon
! she obtained the position OF WASHINGTON
! CORE spOndcnt Tor two Now YORK papers
| I'm the early morning the washington
| paners were brought to her bedside, arc
| she clipped from them what she thought
| NJ. she wired these clippings with m
| temptations of her own, 10 New OF X.
| This she did 80 manfuly that after =
| long time when she had occasion 10 WISH
| New York her editor fairly gasped "a
! find her-a woman. DURING ms ptiiou
| She was weaving her romances, jottihl
down her observations, awaiting an on
| portunity 10 make plunge
! CHARMING STORIES FOLLOWED
Her novel "Throckmorton." happy
| picture OF life "a Virginia. met with mer-
! tied Success. Charming stories followed
| the cleverest of which, perhaps, was
MAID M,rian." which she herself ORA
/ matized for Rosina NOkes and this
! clever actress used II successfully until
! her death. Miss Seawell has contributed
| 20 the leading magazines For her pa
| thctic and pleasing story Little Jarvis,
| the Youths Companion gave her five
! hundred dollars. afterwards she was en-
1 plOyed 80 write a series OF boy stories
| the success Of which increased her repu'
| tation favorably. She Is n diligent stu
| dent and writer. and probably her best
| effort Is yet to come.
She has fixed her position I'm the lit
| erary world. which IS entirely enviabie
| She has now snug home IN Washing
! ton Her family circle consists OF hei
| mother and sisters and three orphan
cousins. upon whom she layishes The
| warmest care and affection. Her after
neon teas and receptions are graced By
| literary, artistic. and fashionable Wash
| ineton. Visitors from her old home arc
/ often present 10 smile at her sue
| cess In her frequent trips abroad she
| probably caught glmpscs of the care
| less merry life which she so well has
| portraved In the "Sprightly Tale OF Mar
| sac" which has just obtained prize OF
! three thousand dollars from the New
| York Herald.
| Ser present position In the realm o.
| letters ia the result not merely OF decided
| talent. but also Of firm purpose 10 over
| come obstacles which bcset her imua
effort and 10 assert natural clevernes
| soon or late.
| Tho name Of Molly Elliot Seawell bear
| now the stamp of apprcval-what sh'
! writes will he read We predict that sh'
| will write well. > 1. IL.