Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-02
I'll |;
/ LITERATUR AND LIFE. !
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I. A. j. n.


The critics are generally agreed that
her credentials will not admit her to the
select circle OF the immortals, and yet
che is most brilliant, unique and aus
dacious writer. With certain clientele
who have mania for the mysterious
and psychological, she is quite the rage;
with Others she Is exceedingly distaste-
full.
Her ina gination is not limited to this
mundane sphere. She wanders thru ce-
lestial worlds, makes the acquaintance
of gods and angels, and in her latest
work. The Master Christian" intro
duces as one of the leading characters
the Savior himself
This widely read and much talked
about novel is regarded as her best
piece of work thus far. 1t 10 her longest
and heaviest work. and in conception OF
plot and artistic finish is far superior to
her former productions. The plot is In
tricate the characters numerous the
action quick and dramatic.
The book ls an attack upon the Cath
olic church for it's failure to fulfill its
mission and carry out the instructions
of its founder-P olemic In tone and ex-
travagant in character.
nall Archbishop Felix Broupre is a
with the flame of true Christianity.
Grievously conscious of the sins and
shortcomings of the hierarchy. he seeks
to reform it from within. comes into
conflict With the pope. is threatened
With accommodation and is forced to
Withdraw from the church. Christ is
made to appear as small lad in his
teens who rebukes the pontiff within
the walls of the vatican.
Aside from its theology or polemics. ii
is a strong and Interesting story. with
brilliant characterization. fine descrip-
ton, and told with great power and tens
derness.
IL is said the sale Of the book before
a copy had left the publishers was $780,
900.
She occasionally writes piece for the
paper Not ell of these pieces" are
accepted by the papers TO which they
are offered, but good percentage
Of her emanaiions find a place In prin.
She Is constantly on the lookout for
new fields to- conquer with her valiant
pen. and so she tries the minor maya
zines 10 get a mean average, and now
and then the higher class periodicals
and the literary minnowssto test the ex-
stremes
A friend posted her the other day ON
a new scheme. Said this friend: Why
don't you try MIR. So-and-So? / hav.,
been told that he makes Ii his business
to encourage the ambitious and obscur..
writer" And the woman who contrib
utes said che would try. First, she adj
dressed a letter to Mr. So-and-S SO, ask
ing for particulars and then che wait
ed
She did not have TO wait long. A post
man brought her a neatly directed and
even more neatly printed circular. en-
titled "A Chance for New and Unrec-
ognized Authors 1t appeared that
Mr.. So and-so. out of the kindness OF
his heart, had determined to assist
struggling talent by permitting it's pro-
auctions to appear in his own magazine
which, by the way. had not yet taken
tangible shape at the time OF the COM
inunication to our piece writer.
The circular fairly flowed with the
milk OF human kindness which its e6i-
ter was prepared to spill in the interest
u rising genius. 1t ran:
How often that polite phrase, de-
olined with thanks has served to dis
courage an earnest, able and ambitious
writer will probably never be known.
Poets who might have sung their coun-
try's glory. novelists who might have
depicted truly the secrets of the human
l.eart. publcists who might have
aroused the dormant powers of the pea
PIE, have all been robbed of the tangi-
bic fruits that public recognition brings
&C genius, and even to the writer Of only
ordinary ability. There is no more SEN
sitive creature in the world that the un-
f.edged writer: and the cold-blooded,
business-like character OF the editor has
ripped in the bud the hopes of many a
promising aspirant for fame.
IF you can write q poem, a story OF
other article, send 1t to us and on ap-
Iroval and Insertion we Will pay you
literally and deal with you just as tho
you were a well-known author, run
otter and courted by the journals and
magazines of world wide fame.
Then there was postscript in which
the philanthropist casually mentions
what had almost slipped his mind, that
small fee Of IS Is necessary to entitls
the author to membership in the Sc
lect circule, and the manuscript OF
writer's not on our roll will not be con-
sidered under any circumstances
The prices paid for poetry depend
upon circumstances. Newspapers as a
rule pay absolutely nothing for verse
and unless the obscure poet gets into the
magazines he contributes his production
for the sole reward of coming before the
public. AS for a volume of poems or q
lengthy one publishers are chary abou1
accepting anything not signed by q
we'll known name. A few years ago II
was extremely difficult to get reputa.
BILE publisher to even attach his name t.
u book OF poems however good it might
he. Publishers Will now give more con-
alteration to volume OF verse and arc
willing to publish it IL the book has
merit and the author will stand the ex-
pense.
Then again. English publishers pay
roore for poetry than American firms
No American poet has yet received thu
price which Kipling received for on
sngle poem-s1,o00 per line. Nearly al
| rvr ApoArican nnets y.hn have had \,