The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16
AUTHOR OF THE HOLSTERS"
Meredith Nicholson, Who Is to De
Among the Best OF Them.

One thing that makes Meredith Nichol-
sons entertaining book, THE Hoosiers,'
incomplete is that the chapter summin
up the work of Indiana authors does not
contain a mention OF himself or his pro-
auctions. His modesty has, OF course pre-
vented the inclusion OF his own name, but
another writer, in preparing a catalogue
of the States literary men, would have
given him a place high on the list, even
before the publication Of this latest book.
Mr.. Nicholson is a native of Indiana, hav-
ing been born in Charlottesville in 1866.
The most Of his life has been spent in In
~dianapolis, however. He became "A news
paper reporter when quite young, his first
service having been with the Sentinel.
Later he was a member of the Evening
News staff, and continued with that paper
for several years, developing while there,
in spite of the leveling tendency of news
paper routine work, a marked literary and
poetic talent. Much of his best work was
contributed to other papers and periodicals.
the Journal having published many of his
poems. His name has appeared frequent
ly as a contributor of prose and verse TO
the Century, Harpers', the New England,
East and West, and other high-class maya
zines. Some years ago he published a small
collection of poems entitled Short Flights"
"a volame of which he is disposed to speak
rather slightingly, but which, nevertheless,
contains much creditable verse, and none
which he need wish to disown. Those OF
his friends who were familiar with his
newspaper work knew that he was develop
ing a fine critical quality, and felt that no
one better could have been chosen to write
the Indiana book in Professor Woodberry's
series dealing with American literature.
The result has more than fulfilled
their highest expectations. I'll HOLSTERS
"a review of which appeared in the Sunday
Journal of two weeks ~ago-being not only a
history of the development of Indiana let
tiers, but so keenly critical a study of facts
and conditions as to make it of distinct and
unusual literary value. Mr.. Nicholson, a
year or two since, abandoned newspaper
life and engaged in business in Denver,
Col, where he now lives, but the produc-
ton Of this volume shows that he has no
intention Of deserving the writing frater-
nifty, but has come back to the work after a
brief intermission with a ripened talent, yet
with all the zeal of vigorous youth. Mr..
Nicholson is still a young man, and 1.-THE
Hoosiers" is a book TO arouse expectations
of other and even better things in the fu-
ture.
A recent issue of the Denver News offers.
as a preliminary TO a review of his book,
this glimpse of Mr.. Nicholson's personality:
Before touching The HOLSTERS it will be
interesting TO Denver people to know some
thing of its author, as it does not happen
every day that one OF its clever business
men turns his leisure into books of a quail
ity which have a charm that can be read
and reread.
Mr.. Nicholson says the best thing about
him is his wife and two babies, and Is
rather shy, as all people with a keen sense
or hume are, OF saying too much OF him
self. OF the charming personality OF his
wife there is no doubt, and she has a keen
literary sense which makes her an ideal
wife for a literary man. OF the babies,
they were not introduced, and so must be
taken on faith, which is not so hard after
meeting the parents.
Mr.. Nicholson came to Denver about
three years ago, shortly after his marriage
to Miss Kountz, a niece Of Charles b.
Kountz, OF this city. He was born in 1855
and was educated in the public schools Of
Indianapolis.
Mr.. Nicholson is a newspaper man, one
of the best type of journalists. He has
the literary instinct with the ability to
eADTGSS IL llOuSAIS III Cltdls lClSC
and polished English, which he loves with
the appreciation of the true litterateur.
He has spent a large portion of his life
similar to his own and he afhIiates by
instinct with active intellects.
with the charm of his culture there
goes naturally the American insight into
men and things. Here comes in his
business ability. He is rather above the
middle height and is broad-shouldered,
but not rugged. His face is pale and
- l-0ol at1lo4<.,o1 fa~1EaaI -.
looks at you with a shrewd pair of rather
small, gray eyes, which have the faculty
of being inscrutable If he wills 1t that
image if ii suited his mood and the mat
ter in hand, or he can let himself go
and the appreciative face of the man of
letters is there.
"'You needn't mention IT, If you don't
mind, anything about my verses Mr..
Nicholson said the other day, for it
might spoil my business reputation If it
were known
But running the risk of such a calamity,
here are some verses from Harper's
Magazine which have the quality of the
title:
1T is a presence sweet and rare,
A something oft attained by art,
Yet oft possessed. all unaware.
BY folk of simple mind and heart.
And he that has it cannot pass
The secret on with gold or name;
1t vanishes like dew on grass,
Or heat that hovers over flame.
In books that man but little seeks,
Neglected or forgotten long.
This living essence dwelis and speaks
In happy rhymes OF deathless song.
The subtlest of all mystic things.
It's strange indeed that IL should be,
When worn by poets. beggars, kings.
Twin sister of simplicity.
And you that seek IL never find.
And you that have IL never tell:
And all that strive to catch and bind
Can only startle and dispel."
A Surprising Question.
New York Press.
We have among us a fashionable young
man who has learned the lesson of in
quisitiveness from Ii Hung Chang, though
he asks only one question while Earl Ii
asks many. Having the entree OF many
clubs, he meets many swell folk, and as
his manners are agreeable il is never diff
cult for him 10 find the opportunity 10 pop
his question. On being introduced to a
banker he will pass the compliments OF the
season, then suddenly inquire: What Is
your object in life: what are you doing
with your talents?" II has almost the ef-
feet OF a blow on the head with a stick.
- <t~z, n-a $3.50 -