The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-20
JANESLANE ALLEN.
c,ustn CT the Noted Author Tells Of
His Youthful Days.
WASA HANDSOME, DREAMYBOY.
Experiences of His Life Woven Into
Most of His enthusiastically
Fond of Music-Noted as De-
elaimer-Taught School in Order to
Get n start-Always Hard Student.


From Kansas City Journal: Mrs.
Jason ". Shepherd, AL Aldlne place.
a, his city, Is second cousin of James
Lane Allen and was brought up with
him IN the heart of the blue grass re-
ron Of Kentucky, near the city Of
lexington. Her name in those days
was Jennie Farrar and her fathers
farm Joined the Allen homestead. Her
father. John NJ. Farrar, was own cou-
sin to the mother OF the writer.
Mrs. Shepherd recalls .lquite clearly
those early school days, just after the
wcr, when she went to the little district
school on the Parker mill road. right off |
the Louisville and Lexington. turnpike,
With LAME Allen, us all the children
called hin, in those. days. ~.
He was "a handsome. dreamy boy,
with light. wavy hair. deep blue eyes
and fine manly figure. He was never d
boy to Join much with other boys In
their sports, but even in these early
days showed the great and passionate
love OF nature;ln all her varied phrases
that enabled him In his writings to go
wonderfully depict her moods and
beauties with u touch. so delicate, SYM
pathetic and tender, leaving behind 1t
that deeper spiritual significance
which only the most gifted of natures
lovers can translate.
From Landed Gentry.
Lane was the youngest of seven chill
dren. He spranG from the old landed
genry stock OF Virginia. and his father
was wealthy farmer and cattle raiser
before the war. At the close Of the war
most of this wealth was lost and the
Aliens sold their old home on the Par
kers mill road. the characteristics Of
which he SO beautifully describes In
his depletion OF Adam Moss home in
"The Kentucky Cardinal" This was a
most beautiful home, with lawn
sloping down to q brook that ran In
font OF the house, lined with the red
haw trees. which was favorite resort
for the Kentucky cardinals that
abounded In this neighborhood. The
winding avenue leading to the white
cottage with Its green blinds and wide
rorches was lined with cedars and
pines, and the flowers and fruits that
grew on the place were the marvel OF
the neighborhood. The finest grapes
and pears and all the fruits In their
season abounded here. and in the Hos
soming time OF the white Easter lily
this beautiful flower formed wall of
beauty at the edge of the lawn.
Lane was passlonately fond OF music
and played well on the violin. He used
always to be copying scraps OF music
ard then playing them on his violin. He
was noted in school for his speaking,
and on Friday afternoons and days. Of
srecIal entertainment he wau always
the tavcrite performer.
Aliens. Favorite Sister.
Lanes tavoritc. sister was Annie AL
len, a most beautiful type of Kentucky
slrl, far above the average of beauty.
This sister understood this quiet sensl-
tive boy and sympathlzed with aim
and II Is she with whom he now makes
his home in the, city OF Washing ton.
His mother, too. was n woman Of
wonderful refinement and delicate ma
trre. and 1t was she who in her walks
with him through woods and fields in
eulcatcd much of his great love for ma
,uFe. She also developed his literary
tastes and read to him and guided him
In his own reading.
Lane Allen was always n student, and
bis love. OF study and books seemed to
MI for him in his early years, at least.
The love OF woman as there are no tales
Of any sweetheart during his young
manhood
After the district school he went to
Lexington to the old Pennsylvania coll
iegc, where he completed his education.
He read law here with his cousin, Mr..
FRANK Walters, and his uncle. Madison
u Johnson, both noted lawyers Of their
time. Another uncle, John Allen, a
wealthy bachelor. has been the only
member OF the family left in Lexington
Iful recently, when q brother. Albert
Alien has Joined him In his beautiful
home
AFTER his graduation James Lane
amen mad TO teach' for about ten years
10 help support hFs' family. He went to
Ne" York during the sos, unknown and
with but little money to begin n liter
airy career. His struggle was severe
o"e Tor several years unit gradually he
"ecame known and has since risen
steadily to fame.
Dislikes Publicity.
lie still retains his retiring nature
'al dIsIlkes publicity of any kind.
ne story OF his life runs in and out
" all his works. AS a country school
""eher near Lexington. he experienced
p'1eh mat afterwards formed a part OF
-. ' 'onn Gray In THE Choir Invisible"
"e descriptions In the kentucky Car
''"' are those OF his own beautiful
'"" ""a liz surrounding neighDorh0Od.
," n's reign OF Law" tho story OF
r"''oS grandfather who was cast out
" "'S own church and started new
"e oi MS own where all secta might
"''"'p' Irrespective OF creed. Is the
"De story OF Mr.. Allen the authors
~" grandfather, who called the church
" oh'ide4 the Republican church and