The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
AN UNBIASED OPINION.

blers and one of them-Frey-was
writer II thank the Lord" Frey used
to say to Cyphers, ''tha. l never spoiled
my style by doing newspaper work.
Then Cyphers would flare little and
talk of the "free hand" which journal
ism cuitivates. 1T gives you toucn.
he would say flourishing his pipe, "A
touch and CO." Nevertheless his stories
did not have great "go;" at least.
they went into very obscure hooks
whence they brought forth little money
and less fame.
One of them that he boasted OF hav-
Ing dashed off at a sitting-"broad
style. you know; finish not laid ON
laboriously but worked in-part of the
thing itself. don't you see? doesn't pass
for finish, yet it's there"-that MSS.
had gobbledup enough postage to be fat
and affluent; instead of which it was in
tatters-like its author. Lately, when
IL came home for the seventeenth time.
Oyphers re-typed 1t and sent ii to--'s
Literary Bureau, for an opinion. ''Tn
find out what's the matter with II" he
thought.
Since coming to Ozone, he had learn
ed with some surprise that Frey work
ed for the Bureau, giving half his avail
able time to the revision and criticism
of MSS.
sNoiiVi ~ ihNis'
IN way, yes, though who are you,
I'd Ike to know, that calls it so? The
pot was ever given to blackening the
kettles character. AS you say, l get
paid only laborer'S wages, but l gam
what money can't pay for; practice IN
criticism-real criticism-without fear
or favor. and a goodly knowledge of
human nature to boot. Why don't you
try this sort of work? You are natural
ly a better critic than l am, only you
have let your gift SO to seed. If you'd
criticize your own things as well as
you do mine, it would be better for you
and for your things"
How refreshing and edifying is the
plain TRUTH" remarked Cyphers. lie
was smoking and hugging his knees on
a corner divan, gazing out of half
closed eyes, like comfortable cat, at
Frey, who shaved before table heaped
with MSS, some typed, some written
in every sort of hand, masculine, femi-
nine and neuter.
Frey suddenly wheeled his chair
around and exclaimed: "See here, lazy
bones, I've an idea; come out of that
hole in the cushions and give me a'lift
Then l can get olfearly this afternoon
for a walk. What do you say?
"Do you mean that work?' pointing
to the piles of MSS. on the table.
why not? You're capable"
"Yes, but-would it be quite square
you know? I'm not supposed to be in
the Bureaus secrets"
Wen run no risks. Here Is type
written story with no name. | have 1t
hooked by the number only; I'm no
wiser than you as to the authorship.
Write me a critical letter on tits n
mighty poor thing; I've glanced
through it--utter trash. But do what
you can with it, there's good fellow.
Cyphers unfolded himself slowly.
arose and took the MSS. which Frey
handed him, glanced at 1t, walked TO
the window, then half turned and said:
"A-shall I-shall do 1t here, or take
it to my rOom?'
Just as you like. I'll manage TO Gear
O. corner of the table"
mo, thanks, don't bother: guess
can work better alone-collect my
thoughts better, as 1t We're
.'1'hat task won't require any great
amount of thought" said Frey; but
look here" calling after Cyphers'
who was already out of the room,
don't be too severe. The Bureau doeS
these painful things gracefully, you
know"
He flung the MSS. on the bed; the
leaves flew in every direction.
Hang the Bureau" he almost
shouted: who'd have thought
For several moments he stood ana
. scowled, then burst into violent III OF
laughter which he suddenly checked
Lighting fresh pipe, he gathered up
the disarranged sheets of MSS. ana sat
down to hard labor. During the course
of it coat, vest, necktie, collar and ours,
were in turn discarded. Cyphers was
doing what he had never done before In
his life: reading his own work critical
ly. He forced himself to imagine that
this story was written by one unknown
TO him, one of whom he had never even
heard.
I've picked 1t up in the street." he
muttered through his pipe-stem." and
am wondering what sort of rot 1t Is
1t certainly was "rOt"-clever In spots
and streaks. but slovenly In its sty.e
and construction. The very first SEN
tence contained an absurd grammati-
cal error-one of the sort that educated
folks are constantly making in conver-
sation, but that has no excuse in litera-
ture. Every page was peppered with
tiresome little words like was. and, had
and contained many repetitions OF
thought and unnecessary amplifica-
tions.
The search for such defects became
exciting; Cyphers grew more and more
eager to find them; when his sharpened
eye fell upon one, he experienced q
brutal delight and pounced upon the
unlucky phrase or passage as a hungry
cat seizes a bird. He worked himself
into state of hot indignation towards
the fellow who evidently knew some
thing. yet who could be guilty of so
"chestnutty" a plot; of such structural
Inconsistencies; of such mass of mis-
placed moralizing-what you call
'gush" In woman; he felt no respect
for a writer who wasted pages of de-
scription In telling you what manner of
beings his characters We're, inste ad of
showing them up by their own words
or by a few salient actions introduced
with artistic propriety and dramatic
effect.
All of these sentiments and MANY
more besides, did Cyphers embody in q
letter of stinging, unqualified criticism.
There was no mincing in his manner
no euphemisms in his language; the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth formed the foundation and
superstructure of his critical opinion. y
1.-The Bureau does these things grace
fully. you know" laughed Cyphers to
himself.
While writing he was distinctly
sensible OF two separate. opposite enti-
ties within him. The one covered and
quivered with humiliation and self.
disgust; the other gloated triumphant
ly over the bushes and inward tortures
of its victim. When he had finished the
letter, he was in a perspiration from
head to foot.
Guy, won't the rascal sweat when he
reads it," then he giggled and colored
girlishly, remembering who the rascal
was.
Frey objected to the tone Of the criti-
cism.
IT'S too sharp" he said: tell the
truth, but tell 1t pleasantly, kindly; this
1awing at fellow does him no good
just makes him mad; it's not crime tc
write in bad style"