The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-29
Rising Fortunes.

John Oxenham's Rising Fortunes, the
Story of a Mans Beginnings" is a book
that every newspaper man and artist will
enjoy. for it is decidedly a tale Of the
shop" other people who take an inter-
est in the doings of the fourth estate-and
they include the majority of readers-will
find the story entertaining throughout, and
the "shop talk garnished in a pleasing
way Two raw Scotch youths-one
writer, the other an artist, form a novel
partnership in an hour of necessity. The
writer has imagination, can see the humor-
Gus side of any situation at a glance, and
can picture it i'm words, but cannot sketch
or draw 1t on paper The artist is skill
full with his pencil and can rapidly sketch
any scene the writer describes. He is not
imaginative, however, and can rarely see
anything in everyday happenings that will
furnish material for humorous drawing.
So the writer and the artist agree 10 work
together under coined name-the writer
TO supply the ideas and the artist TO de-
velop them. Their product is eagerly taken
by newspaper whose publisher proves TO
be dishonest and attempts to cheat them
of their pay. In the meantime their
sketches begin to attract attention. They
receive from a London publisher what APP
pears to be flattering offer, which they
accept. Visions OF wealth come TO the
struggling youths. They are to receive
shilling a copy royalty for their book of
sketches After waiting a long time for
some Of the expected shillings they go to
London, but get little satisfaction from
the publisher Excuses have been heavy
and returns are just beginning to come in,
they are told. Though they receive no money
they learn a trick of the publishers
trade. One of the youths sees a copy of
his book marked sixth edition.. six edi-
in mOnthSt
must mean at least six thousand copies
says the youth, though not exactly In the
words quoted. Then he makes a mental
calculation. six thousand shillings.
That's three hundred pounds" But his
dream of "easy street" is soon shattered.
He is told an edition may be ten copies,
fifty, one hundred, or any number the
publisher sees fit to choose. In the case
of the sketch book it is one hundred. When
1000 of the books are on the market the
volume will be in it's tenth edition. The
edition number is merely an advertisement.
To the uninitiated, sixth edition is evil
dence of popularity and the shrewd pub
Usher is careful not to disabuse the pubic
mind on the subject.
The artist and the writer, having re-
solved to stay in London, secure the upper
portion of big fiat and go to work. They
succeed with their sketches from the start,
as men with skill and energy usually do.
The writer however, has an ambition of
his own He sells few stories, but not
enough to keep him steadily employed, so
he seeks position on one OF the news
papers. In course of time. by industry,
integrity and fair dealing, coupled with the
friendship Of an eccentric lord, he becomes
the owner of one of the most profitable
newspaper properties in the big city. The
artist also gains success. and becomes. one
of the great painters of the day. love
romance runs through the story, which is
wholesome from beginning to end. q. w.
Dillingham; Company, New York.