The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-26

p'oiiipteu tne EacHelieT newspaper syn
dicate to make its unprecedented offer.
AS no coupon scheme or other claptrap
contrivance marred the contest, the
competition rapidly assumed an inter-
national character. and some of the
greatest authors living entered the lists
Perhaps the details of the competi-
ton. the surprises of the result and the
high average of the tales entered for
the prize form story fully as thrilling
as the best piece of work submitted
That story is here told. Even the dis
appointed may not remain unconsoled
when it is mentioned that one excel
lent tale-"A Diplomatic Mystery"
which was written by A. E. Evans Of
Cheltenham, England, failed of seri-
Gus consideration by the judges because
it could not be divided advantageously.
The circular sent to competitors ran
as follows:
1T is imperative that all stories be
received at this office on or before May
l, 1895; it is desirable that they be re-
ceived as early as possible.
"As TO length, each story submitted
must come within the lines prescribed
in the offer, otherwise it cannot enter
the competition. All good stories will
be purchased at a fair price.
las to the character of stories de-
sired, we can only say that we are
seeking clean stories which will inter-
est the average newspaper reader and
which can be published to advantage
in installments of about two thousand
words each. We hold that very high
quality OF art Is consistent with these
requirements. The novelty and inge-
nuity of the plot and the literary and
constructive art developed in its treat
ment are considerations which will
probably most influence the minds of
the judges in reaching decision. The
judges will be gentlemen of unques-
tionable fairness and competency.
''To facilitate our work and insure
legibility, all stories submitted must be
typewriter, and addressed Prize Edi-
ton, Bachelor, johnson & Bachelor, lis
Tribune Building, New York
Advertisements of the competition
We're inserted in the Century, Harper's
Monthly, the Critic, In the London
Strand Magazine, and in many news
papers. About the beginning of April
the manuscripts in Mr.. Irving Bachel-
ler's private office were as thick as the
leaves of Vaflombrosa. There were not
fewer than three thousand stories sent
in. They came from all parts of the
globe. England, Ireland, Scotland,
Greece Australia. Canada, Germany,
France, the West Indies and Mexico
We're amorg the foreign countries
whence came manuscripts from English
speaking authors.
All the stories were read in the first
instance by Mr. Bacheller and a
staff of experienced coadjutors. In ac-
cordance with tine terms of the compc-
tltion, every manuscript had to be type
written and accompanied by a sealed
envelope containing the name OF its
author. This was not to be opened until
a decision was reached. For identi-
fication the envelope bore some mark,
which was also to appear on the story
submitted
These rules were violated in a number
of instances Some of the manu-i
scripts were in execrable handwriting,
anu III many 'iae "eic 'yPeWiitteii tHe
authors did not hesitate to avow their
names. Their stories. of course, could
not be considered in the contest. Those
that were not typewriter. but were in
legible handwriting and otherwise com
piled with the conditions of the compe-
tition were not thrown out. The au-
thors who persist in rolling their manu-
scripts were numerous. Their stories
were read, however, but If the writers
only knew the annovance their mar