The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-06

uted toward limiting the quantity and
as few would deny-enhancing the quality
of her work 1t would be easy TO mention
masterpieces which were written under
stress of poverty. while the printers devil
kicked his heels in the outer passage.
For there are many writers who cannot he
awakened from Incidence TO activity but
by the pinch of penury. But given the
literary faculty and a certain natural i'm
pulse toward creation. it is difficult TO,
avoid the conclusion that their owner VIII
do better work when hampered by the
ever please Mt reflection that time IS
money. Had John Oliver Hobbies"
been compelled to write for a
livelihood she would have written
more. hut she would have been read less.
For the essence of her work is its polish
Now the creative impulse showed itself
In John Oliver Hobhess'' indeed. 1t mani
Tested itself in two directions, and IL was
almost a matter of chance that the I'M
pulse drove her finally TO literary rather
than to musical composition. From very
early age she has been a lover OF music;
in her childhood TOO, as she will tell you.
she was wont to invent stories ana re-
count them for the amazement or her
nursemaid Without doubt, had she not
concentrated her energies upon literature,
she would have made her mark as mn-
sician As IL IL. though a skillful pianist
and occasionally induced 10 play at
charity concert. she has. l believe, pub
lished none of her musical compositions
There was. however. no thought or
professional career for Miss Richards, nor
any foresight of the time~~so near when
reckoned by years-when she would make
the name of John Oliver HOMES
famous. The daughter of an American
gentleman OF considerable wealth. whose
business lies in England, she was pre-
scented when scarcely more than half way
through her teens. and married when still
some years short of her coming OF age
II was not until Mrs. Craigie had re-
turned. after short aud by no means
happy married life 20 her fathers house,
that she gave herself over TO the study
and practice Of letters.
Some Emotions and a Moral came az
| A surprise TO the world. The name-John
| Oliver Hohbes-by which II was signed,
was absolutely unknown. Only rumor had
| II that the pseuaonym vailed. as the book
itself could not fail to reveal, n womail--
woman who had suffered: woman.
moreover. who had thought. and could
put her thought into attractive mold Fer
here undoubtedly was writer who had.
| before publishing SO far as anyone knew,
| single line fashioned for herself in OBJ
| security Il linguistic mold for the EXPIRES
| sion Of ner thought; thus separating her
self a. once and forever from the host
| OF lady novelists who tn their discarded
! souls into print Not until quite lately
/ did learn that Mrs CraiSts had written
much~and cast n snto the waste paper
/ haSket-hefore she published ANYTHING.
Even when the name ~ John Oliver
Hobbies was widely known. and her FIRST
! book had bean followed by "A Bundle of
/ Life her personality remained In a some
/ what remarkable ohscuri'y Few knew
her real name fewer still had met and
-
+ he met at the gatherings where literary
women fiirt with publishers being. ss
+ some would tell you. an invaiid-as others
avr-Tcd \ reciuse The truth, indeed. lsY
/ midway between these Two assertions for
together with certain delicacg Of con
stifution which renders her incapable ~
T any considerable physical eSeTtioa, Mrs
/ CralEte exhibits a certain mental shrink
inG from the contact of casual company.
i Certainly. there are few writers of -
uown whose work stands - apart from
/ their personalities ax does Mrs. Crsigie's
u was when The Gods. Some siortals
and lord WlckenhAsn'' wes being written
! for puhljcs ton IN the Pan Mail Budget
( journal wrlth which l had close counec-
+ tior that flrSt met Airs Cralgle. and ore
Saturday IN June vs. went down. a mixed
. PARTY % writers and artists. for three
! gl4le- DAYS AZ CcokhaYn. the iittlF Thames
{ side village beneath tha heights NJ Give
den whsch Mr. Axf0r boUsht from the
! Duke 81 Westminster We we're i@sntnE
over the SrtslSe before retiring % rest.
i talking with A sort % frivolous earnest ness
( rF AN things in the heavens aeove and
/ on ghH eavth beneath. as peopi@ @iA tax
/ On sum nser nights wflsr Mrs CrAlgis.. who
! had f.e.sn silently watching the river. sud
dea,v sai1 that. n her. men and women.
/ with their petty Joys ard pNay sorTcSs.
/ were 70 ianEer interesting teat she would
/ gladly pat the life OF the present. behind
! her aad aSe.l Anaeag books Tor her co1a-