The morning news., 1899-09-03

ton with the stage, however; I only
thought to get it published as a drama.
felt far too ignorant of the technique of
the stage to accomplish anything in that
line. You see, I had not even an expert
ence with amateur theatricals to fall back
on, as so many writer's of plays have.
After 1 began to write The Gadfiy, in
stead of it's growing into a drama it be-
came the novel. And 1 assure you it is so
different from the play which we are so
busily preparing for the stage that
scarcely like you to think of it as a dram
atization. The play is as l first conceived
the plot, while the book Is totally differ
ent. The same characters appear under
the same names, but one could never call
it an adaptation.
Priests Are Her Friends
"I am often amused and sometimes an
noyed when persons tell me that, although
we'll received as a book, The Gadhy will
not be a success as a play owing to the
religious questions involved. I wish they
could read numerous letters of commenda-
ton have received from various persons
belonging to the Catholic church, several
of them ordained priests. One which par
ticularly Pleased me was from a dignitary
of importance in the church, a priest or
unusual attainments. He wrote thanking
me for the pleasure he had found in read
ing The Gadhy, and commended highly
the truthfulness with which 1 had drawn
my characters. Not one word of dsap-
probation for the religious views express
ed nor the positions in which the religious
personages appeared. / was sure when 1
read his first letter that he had grasped
my ideas exactly.
THAT letter was but the beginning since
then l have had the pleasure of meeting
and knowing him Intimately, and l assure
you l number him among my warmest
friends. Another friendship much in the
same way, is that OF Catholic priest liv
ing in one of your Western states He is
not only pleased with the novel, but ex-
presses great interest in the play, and has
entire faith in its success.
Don't understand me- however, to say
that an Catholics or even Protestants, APP
proved of my book. On the contrary, I
nave received many Violently abusive let
ters, but have found that the writer's mis-
interpreted the character of the cardinal
I did not intend MOntauelli as a type and
certainly not as selfish, ambitious man.
but rather a lovable, erring human being
He originated wholly in my own brain.
and was not drawn from life, as so many
persons seem 10 fancy. Personally 1 can
not understand any one regarding the pa
DIRE as self-seeking or cruel. None of us
are perfect, but certainly that man, as 1
intended him to appear is as nearly with
out faults as any one can be.
The Cardinal n Noble Mnn
you ask which was my favorite. Ar
thur or the Padre? Did you ever hear a
mother own to having a favorite Child?
Well, that is the way l feel about those
characters. That book is my chick. my
first born, and at present my only one. so
you must forgive me If cannot consider
one hero more beautiful, more worthy of
admiration, than the other
Yes, l will write other books; indeed.
am writing one now, but 1 compose so
slowly it will be some time before il is
ready for publication. The Gadly was the
result of thirteen years thought and labor.
Not that l was that length of time act
ually writing 1t, but between my first
thought of it and its publication, thirteen
years elapsed.
THE hero in my next book will not be
the least bit like Arthur, nor will touch
upon religious subjects in any form what
ever; more than that l do not care to say.
for its publication is a long way off. |
think in my heart OF hearts l have a
greater affection for the play than the
novel. You see, drama was my first CON
ception, and have always had the great
est desire to write a good one. l hope the
public Will like it; it pieasss all of us to
have our efforts appreciated, and 1 have
worked hard and Travelled many miles
that the play might be perfect in each de-
tail. Even the photographs for costumes
and scenery were taken directly under my
eyes, and / am hoping the result will re-
ward my trouble"