The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-25

Eall in a Hat 1t gave the experience
OF man who attempted to carry away
cannon ball in his hat. 1t described
now the cannon ball grew heavier and
heavier, and how the fear of detection
ate into the soul of the thief. A per-
sonal moral was brought out from this
Which struck home to every reader. A
great deal of the matter written by
Mr.. Beecher was not published over
MS own signature, and this was also
the case with the articles of Harriet
Beecher Stowe. It was during the
years just preceding the war. We had
then large circulation in the South,
and the name of Mr.. -Beecher as one
OF the contributors would have lost us
thousands Of subscribers
BEECHER'S 100000 NOVEL.
WAS not $4,000 great deal to pay
for a noVel?"
Yes" replied Mr.. Bonner, ''it was.
But L think the venture was a good
business investment The way I came
to pay just this amount was rather
curious. l had made an arrangement
with Edward Everett to write series
Of articles for the Ledger Mr. Everett
was at that time the leading statesman
of the country along certain lines. He
was anxious that Mount Vernon should
be bought and preserved, and he was
giving lectures over the country for
the purpose of raising money for what
was called the Mount Vernon fund I
proposed to him that 1 would give
$4,000 to the fund if he would write a
series Of articles for the Ledger. He
accepted it. His articles were widely
read, and the Ledger again was the
most talked of paper in the country.
afterward paid him $4,000 additional
for other articles. This was some time
before I asked Mr.. Beecher to write a
novel. When did write I first offered
to pay him $4,000 for the story, or as
much as I had paid Mr.. Everett for his
writings. Later on 1 increased the
amount to $4,000.
Here is what he answered in reply
to my first proposition:
" Plymouth Rock at a Council-Dear Mr.
Bonner: l am almost dumb after reading
your proposition, and must clear my head
before say word
Henry Ward Beecher'
When 1t was announced that Mr.. Beechel
was to write the story there was a decided
sensation in literary and religious circles
Some preachers and especially a Rev. Mr.
Seeley criticised Mr.. Beecher's actions in
making money in that way. wrote an ed
facetious, and sent the proof of it to Mr.
Beecher, suggesting that If he thought well
OF 1t that he might give me recommends
ton whereby l could get place on the
wy
had left the office he came back with the
following note:
My Dear Bonner: u think you like to
gobble up minister OF two every year to
aid digestion just as hens swallow gravel
stones. You have swallowed me in one way
and Mr.. Seeley in another. l like my way
best. Henry Ward Beecher.'
Then on the other side Of the sheet he
had written this recommendation:
To the London Punch: Robert Bonner
desires an engagement on your paper. 1t
gives me Pleasure to testify to his good char
acter. No other one man has made me laugh
SO much. Just to look at him would make
one feel good natured and therefore / sug-
gest that his picture be published. Should
ne begin contributing to the Punch he would,
IN less than two years, own and edit it, but
otherwise he may be trusted.
Henry Ward Beecher.'
THAT letter gives you some idea of how
quick Beecher was. The most Of the
hour was taken UP In the boys going from
my office to Mr.. Beecher's house and back,
and Mr.. Beecher must have dashed the letter
off within FIVE minutes. He was very quick
and was always full of ideas"
ABOUT EDwARH EVERETT.
What kind Of a MANI was Edward Ever
ett?" asked.
He was a much misunderstood man." re-
piled Mr.. Bonner. ''You remember what
Wendell Phillips once said of him. 1t was