The Anaconda standard., 1896-02-02

less than any other member, and to a
man who has such positive views as
Mr.. Reed on most public questions, the
restraint of sitting still and letting
other people do all the talking must
be a severe strain.
Then there is another reason-it is
positive pleasure for Mr.. Reed to write
so great a pleasure that he has been
known to write a great many things
which were never intended for publica-
tion. Like the Ancient Mariners VIC
tim, MIR. Reed cannot choose but"
write when seized with an idea 1t is
a pity that some of his pen productions
have been limited to private circula-
ton, for If those who have read them
are to be believed, they are quite as
amusing as the work of any profes-
sional humorist. One essay which he
wrote not long ago, choosing for his
subject his house cat, is said to have
been a literary gem. But the public
will have no opportunity to read Mr..
Reeds views on cats and on this cat
in particular, for he intends never to
permit his humorous writings to get
into print He believes the dignity of
public man is impaired by the circula-
tion of anything humorous from his
pens Humor is almost as frivolous as
poetry of a certain type: and no doubt
the grave and reverend Chief Justice
of the supreme court of the United
States would have hesitated about
publishing verses of his own compost
tion in his earlier years If he had then
had an eye on a judicial position.
Mr.. Reeds literary fancy sometimes
takes another flight He very often
receives odd letters from people who
are strangers, criticising and abusing
him. Some are even threatening in
mild way. These letters afford the
speaker a great deal of amusement.
He is not a bit sensitive to criticism of
this kind. and shows these letters to
few of his friends from time TO time,
with laughing comments. Sometimes
he is received with an irresistible in
clination TO answer one of these cranks,
and writes Il rcjoinder in his most
brilliant style. The speakers letter is
never mailed. lie pins it to the crank's
letter, reads both of them over sec
ond time, has good chuckle at the
crank's expense. and sometimes shares
his enjoyment with a chance caller
Then he destroys both the letter and
the answer. 1t is a pity they cannot be
preserved, for a compilation of 'un-
published and unmailed letters from
Mr.. Reed 10 various unknown cores
pondents" would make an amusing
book some day.
Mr.. Reed has the happy faculty,
shared by so many men. Of working
best in the night hours. and when he
has on hand any literary work, he Of
ten remains in his office al the Shore
ham as late as l or o'clock in the
morning. He writes with a pen and
his fingers fly very rapidly over the pa
per. He sometimes writes 1000 or 5000
words in an evening. He revises his
manuscript. but the changes he makes
are few He believes in the judgment
of Others and almost everything he
writes is submitted TO Mrs Reed for
approval Sometimes when he is dis
satisfied with his work. Mrs. Reeds
favorable criticism will reassure him.
In the case Of one of his speeches in
the last congress, he was thoroughly
dissatisfied until Mrs. Reed had read
what he had written. After she had
passed judgment on the speech favora-
bly,. he decided to deliver IL as il was
written. and the result surprised him.
He said afterward that he was quite
content with what ne had done.
This speech was the only one he ever
dictated TO a stenographer. Letters he
dictates. but his magazine work and
his public speeches he prefers 70 do il
with a pen. But the weather was
warm when he was preparing his
speech on the repeal Of the purchasing
clause Of rhe sherman silver law. and
he decided TO use a stenographer SO.
as he expressed IL afteryard, he talk