The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-01

quaiutance wrote a story on a theme sug-
gested by the war, and counted on the
war interest, which was then at it's high
est to secure quick sale of the story.
Though a comparatively new author he is
by no means an unknown one. He has
published contributions in nearly all of the
important magazines and he has publish
ed books, and his work has been received
by reviewers with the highest favor.
Moreover, this particular story was in
many respects one of his strongest; il
dealt with just the things and kind of
life IN which he is most at home, and il
had certain power and sweep in 1T that
no man commands except when he is writ
ing with conviction and fervor. Yet, for
some reason, when the author came to
offer it, the story would not sell He tried
it on one editor, and then on another; all
returned it with words OF praise. yet with
an srrevocable nay. Meanwhile the war
went on, and then reached its end, and a
month or two later the war interest
reached its end, too. The author conclud-
ed that if there was no place for his luck
less war story before, there certainly was
ncue now, and that 1t might as well be
chucked into the fire, or, at least, tucked
away i'm the farthest corner of a drawer.
He decided, however, before putting it
finally and, perhaps, forever by, to give
just one more trial. So he sent il off and
On about as short a time as word would
some, he had an acceptance.
Some twenty years ago American
readers received what they very
generously accounted most gra-
cioUs gift in book called
Library Notes" It was one of those
books that selected and connected up for
them, in a relishlng way. a great wealth
OF the good things that had been spoken
or written. In succeeding years, other
books of the same kinda Club of one
In a Club Corner" and so on-came from
the same author From one and all it
was manifest that they could have been
written only by man who had traversed
pretty nearly the whole field of polite lit
erauure, and had traversed il obserVantly
ana fOndly; and many reader of them,
| do not doubt, envied the writer the de-
lightful days and nights which they fame
led must have been his lot. The fancy,
if it occurred, was very close to the fact
1t has fallen TO few men in this work-a-
day world to have so long a stretch of
good reading as has been allotted to Mr..
Addison p. Russell the author in ques-
tion and to-day, at The age of z, he is
still in the full enjoyment of his lifelong
pleasure
This has not been, however, a mere
stroke Of good fortune. Mr.. Russell got
the thing he particularly delighted in by
striving for it and carefully shaping his
life to that end. He began life as a print
err in the office of a county newspaper.
In time lie became the editor, and, per-
haps, the proprietor of such a newspaper,
ana this led, by easy steps, 10 his TAX
ing some part in politics, and achieving
finally the office of auditor of the state
Of Ohio. AT the conclusion of his term
he was appointed financial agent of the
state of Ono, resident in New York city
This was a special office long since rem
dered unnecessary by new financial ar
engagements and machinery, and abolished
1t was rather profitable to the incumbent;
and the understanding of his friends is
chat while filing it MI. Russell was able
TO lay by the small capital which has
sufficed him ever since. His way of life
has always been a very simple and even
frugal one; he had the good fortune to
find out easily what he wanted and the
character to keep it when he got Il. Yet
he has not been simply a man of the
study He is a large, rudy clean-shaven
man OF striking presence. with a fine. old
fashioned courtesy and a real Gift in con-
Versation; and in the days when he went
more from home than he does now he was
a distinct social md Intellectual influence
through a considerable section of country.
The same aftuence of good reading that
enriches his books also appears in his talk.
but never pendantieally-or oppressively;
all tends to good fellowship and pure en-
tertainmeut Thus, through many wears
he has been a pleasure and Inspiration 20
his personal friends as well as to the
public, and his life ought to afford him
great satisfaction in the contemplation.
lie lives O. Wilmington, a peasant county
seat in Southern Ohio. He has never
married, and for the last twenty years
has made his home with a sister.
Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge has leased for