davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27

Any novel was certain to pay its way, with
a little bit over. when its publisher could
oe sure oil placing two hundred copies
among libraries. Readers. being unable 10
buy, were forced to join libraries. and so
the system worked out to every ones ben
eft.
The abolition of the three-decker. "ths
only certain packet for the islands of the
Blest," as Mr.. Kipling sings, effected a
revolution which hardly any one had fore
novel stimulated private buying, but at
the same time did not compensate for the
loss of the library purchases of the three
thors and publishers suffered, and as the
public was Indifferent. the only party
which benefited by the change was the
library. There was soon an uneasy feeling
among publishers that the competition was
too severe, and that some new outlet must
be found. Hence the birth OF the sixpenny
edition, the last stage Of the once aristo-
Curiously enough, the old yellow-back
seems to have died out; and yet one would
suppose that the price OF 2 shillings would
be an excellent via media between 6 shil-
lings and sixpence. But at present we are
in the boom" of the sixpenny, and IL re-
mains to be seen If 1T will last. and benefit
authors and publishers; for mark you) it
is a movement wholly independent OF libra
ries.
The experiment has not yet been taken
up by many publishers, Messrs. Methuen.
Macmillan. Hutchinson. Ward. Lock. and
Chatto and Windus being the chief adven-
turers. But some of these firms have gone
deeply into the enterprise. Publishers are
chary of giving figures. but there is no
doubt that as far as mere numbers go. the
sales of the ''sixpenny" have been very
great. Messrs. Chatto and Windus alone
have sold 100000 copies since they
have taken up the idea, and they are OF
opinion that ii is the best books which
sell. In witness thereof they point to
the sales Of Reade's 'Cloister and the
Hearth" which amount to nearly a quarter
Of a million. Messrs. Hutchinson find that
Miss Fowler's "A Double Thread" has sold
best among the "~sixpennies."
1t is clear enough that the movement has
not reached its end, as new issues are being
notified weekly at that price. We are
e~heapening and improving types and pa
per and bindings simultaneously. Hence IL
is probable that the public will continue
10 demand a good sixpennyworth. But
whether the publishers and authors will
continue to supply IL Is another matter
Assuredly there is a vogue and a reason for
the issue of the sixpenny edition of a book
which has previously exhausted its popu-
larity at greater prices. But we doubt very
much il the experiment OF issuing outright
at sixpence will be maintained much longer.
A return to a two-shilling edition with inn
proved binding might very well be made.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27

Detroit Journal.
"It was this way" was explaining a quite
fresh and young appearing gentleman TO a
much older companion, as / took a seat
near them in the Astor House restaurant.
recently. Il thought that IL was quite a
clever short story. and as the professor
had asked me to read it to him for the
purpose OF criticism, he listened patiently
go through IL.
"'Good for the first writing he said.
but you must learn the art OF emitting.
You have unnecessary sentences. Find
them, omit them and come and read it
again.
II followed his advice. and the next
time IL took me twenty minutes 10 read IL.
Better he said. Try IL again. for
there is more you can omit
Il didn't SHOW the annoyance That l felt,
but did some more cutting and condensing.
Then 1 read IL TO him again in fifteen min
utes.
That is nearer 10 the correct thing
he said. with an approving nod. but there
is nance for a little more pruning
1T was with an effort that / restrained
myself. but. knowing that he is an author
ity in literary matters, for the third time
/ went TO the slaughter of the innocents.
and. returning the next day, read IL TO him
in ten minutes.
That is something like it, he exclaimed.
slapping me on the back. Another little
emitting seance will FIX it,
This is a little too much ! answered.
as l seized my manuscript. with a show
OF feeling. You had better tell me 10 omit
That's IL. my boy. that's IT, he replied.
1t Is too much. Omit the rest. and you
will never hear a word OF adverse criti-
cism.'
IN be hanged II I didn't take his advice
again. and throw the story In the waste
basket"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
THE DESCENT OF THE NOVEL.

London Mail.
TIL course of the novel has been steadily
downwards. so far as the dignity OF its
formal Is concerned. In the eighteenth
century Ii was customary to issue a novel
in six volumes. IL not more. and this treat
ton held even until the middle of the
nineteenth century. or later. Dickens and
Thackeray wrote in parts. and leisurely
over two years, keeping the public on the
rack from month to month. Those were
the grand days of the novelist. when he
had ii in his power to distribute the lar
gesse of pleasures and pains with liberal
hand People used to write TO Dickens dur
ing the progress of the story and beg him
with tears not to Kill Little Nell. In the
same way susceptible people have wept
over the late lamented Jumbo.
1t is doubtful IL all this was good for
literature OF for Dickens He certainly
took himself more seriously therfor, and
possibly was thereby induced TO depart
from artistic methods. But think how
greatly he was to be envied above the
paltry writer of 'three-deckers' who sue
ceeded him. Here the novel turned another
corner and declined still further in dignity.
Yet these volumes suited the libraries. suit
ed the publishers. and suited the authors.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
TALES OF THE SEA
Books by Joseph Conrad and Something About Their
Author.

scending to the depths with the buffeted
fugitive from his own recollections.
N now-""Typhoon."
1t can hardly be said that it is a greater
story than Lord Jim," and yet 1T is hard
TO say that ii is not. The stories are so
different in conception that they are diff
ficult Of comparison; but as a portrayal of
a mental personality '"Typhoon' probably
will appeal more strongly to the casual
reader than Lord Jim.' The characters
in this latest story are brought in person
before the reader. and he does not have
to see and hear them through the medium
OF another. But on the other hand, there
is not SO much in the story to carry the
reader out to new fields of thought. There
Is, however, greater and more rapid ac-
ton. and one lives through the stormy
hours with those who are battling for their
ship and their lives, In full consciousness
of all that the struggle portends, Viewed
in this aspect 'Typhoon" should be even a
greater ~favorite than any of Mr.. Conrad's
books that have gone before.
XXX
Little is known, in a biographical way,
of Joseph Conrad. He receives scant men,
ton In the biographical dictionaries. The
most copious one at hand speaks Of him
simply as Author; Master in the Merchant
Service" and gives a list of his publica-
lions. He was, however, a Polish peasant
boy who ran away from home because,
his people being too poor to give him an
education, he could not hope to escape mil
itary service. He reached a seaport and
shipped aboard an English ship. Here he
worked hard-as all sailors must work
studied as opportunity came. and, saving
his money, left the sea from time to time
to study for short periods ashore. When
his money gave out he returned to the
sea to earn more. He was a good sailor
and rose slowly. as English sailors rise.
to the top i'm his Professions masters
certificate and an independent command.
He began to write short stories while at
sea. and during that period also wrote THE
Niger Of the Narcissus'' and "Outcast of
the Islands" He bought Pent Farm, at
Stanford. Kent, England. to which he has
retired from the sea, and is devoting his
time to literature. PAUL MASON.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27

This is the day Of short stories and the
one with the above title, written by a lady
resident of Syracuse, N. Y, Mrs. Mary
Raymond Shipman Andrews, is a master
piece, equaled, though not excelled, by
Booth Tarkington's Monsieur Beaucaire."
The book can be read in an hour or two.
II contains less than 160 pages of large
type. Briefly, the plot is this: The great
Napoleon's so-called son-the King of
Rome, was a daughter. The Emperor. with
his usual disregard of truth, made an ex-
change with one of his Irish generals and
confidants, Fitzgerald by name, who had an
infant son born at the same hour. The
Irishman took the daughter and Napoleon
the Irishman' son and reared him. Ac-
cording to Mrs. Andrews's legend Marshal
Ney was never shot. but by an arranged
ruse the soldiers fired over his head and
as he fell they gave out that he was ex-
ecuted. But he fell before the guns went
off. The marshal came to the United
States and had a son who became the COM
panion of Napoleon's daughter In an Irish
castle, the seat Of the Fitzgcralds. so that
the daughter of Napoleon and the son of
Ney became lovers The book has a vivid
description of an embassy headed by
Taleyrand, whose purpose was TO place
Norah. the daughter of Napoleon. upon the
throne of France. But love, who laughs
at diplomacy and deeply laid plans. ordered
otherwise. Talleyrand had all things skill
fully prepared for a new empress OF France
In the person of N~orah-except the girl.
she had engaged herself 10 Ney's son. and
when the climax came refused TO become
Empress of France because to do so she
must break with her lover. And so she
took the papers establishing her identity.
and in the presence OF Talleyrand and his
associates-some of the great mobiles Of
France-unceremoniously pitched them into
the sea. The story is delightfully."- told.
The style is admirable. The author shows
In every page the marks of great talent. She
gives US a photograph of Talleyrand never
10 be forgotten. This king OF men was
easily Napoleon's and Frances greatest
diplomat. The tale deals with castles,
barons and harnesses. but the gem of the
whole gallery is easily faithful Irish Norah.
Mrs. Andrews's nam Is a new one among
writer's and this is her first book. The
mechanical part Is all that could be desired
good type. tasteful binding and excellent
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
LYALL,s TENNYSON.

Some twenty-five years ago a series Of
books entitled English Men of Letters"
edited by John Morley-nominally, at least
was published in England and reprinted
in the United States. Everybody of that
day recalls the thin volumes, seldom ex-
ceeding 200 pages each, bound in black,
with red lettering. These volumes included
nearly all the great names of English au-
thors. Some of them. notably Huxley's
Hume, were brilliant pieces of criticism.
OF late the series has been revived, and of
the new books Paul's Life of Matthew
Arnold" is exciting considerable discussion,
mostly adverse. AL HI can be truthfully
said about the above-entitled book upon
Tennyson is that it contains just 200 pages.
including the index. and that it was writ
ten by Sir Alfred Lyall, K. c. B. 1t is a
most wearisome, not TO say trashy, string
of commonplaces. 1t is neither biography
nor criticism, and how such a book ever
received the editorial Endorsement of so
intelligent a man as John Morley can only
be explained by the probability that Nor
ley's name is only an fiction.
and the editorial work, if any, was done in
the publishers job office. In England a
book written by a man who has a handle
In front Of or at the end Of his name
goes" no matter what its contents. As a
specimen of Sir Alfred's criticism, take hat
deepest of all the great poets productions.
Merlin and the Gleam.' This is all that
Sir Alfred has to say about 1t: I'm Words
worth's famous ode the CELESTIAL light is
behind, and slowly fades into the light of
day-'Whither has fled the visionary
gleam?' We look back at the immortal
sea which brought us hither.' In Tenny-
sons Merlin and the CLEAN the light is
in front of US. across the great water
There on the border
OF boundless ocean,
And all but in heaven
Hovers the CLEAN.
Is the above the full measure of Sir AL
fred's comprehension of this, one Of the
most beautiful and mystic of Tennyson's
old-age poems? One would think that those
profound words so oft repeated. Follow
the gleam," would awaken some worthy
enthusiasm or suggestions. even in the
bosom of a literary hack writing a book at
so much a page, or SO many dollars for 200
pages. The volume was published because
1t was necessary TO nil out the series, and
Tennyson's is too great a name TO omit.
AS a book IL has no more value than so
much white paper. The Macmillan Com
pany, New York. ID. p. BALDWIN.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27

engravings-the last all good except that of
Norah, which. in the writer's judgment,
does not, although four times repeated.
come up to the mental portrait that the
gifted author has made for her in her de-
lightful pages.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27

1t will tickle the palate OF the most fas-
tidious. The Champagne you want. Cooks
Imperial Extra Dry.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
To EDUCATE YOUNG PRIESTS
Catholic University About 20 BE rs
tablishrd In Washington

ALTON. HI. Feb THE first news
of Catholic university TO be built
and established In Washington. d. c..
at "a cos, uf $4,000 has been given
out here by Rev Father Walter FL
liott, rector Of the ST Thomas college
In Washington II win be the only
college ~ the kind In ,hc United
States The university Is promoted
and the funds OF It's building viii be-
operated by the ST Pauls Father
Community. numbering in the United
States -
The aim of the university VIII be "a
educate young priests, already admit
ted To the priesthood. To do Missionary
work among the nou-Catholics OF the
United states and the insuar missions
In thc Philippines and Porto Rico.
Priests who have finished the priest
hood can enter the school and after
Ia three years course will be- admit
ted Ia the missionary list.
Father Elliott win make several vis-
IT'S In thc larger cities before his re-
turn to Washington, and will then
start on a tour Of the United States
to secure funds FOR the erection Of the
new university.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
AWFUL FATALITY
IN MEXICO Mine
Eighty.Fiye Miners Killed and
Seventy.Fiye More Buried
Under Debris.
MAY Be GREATER
Feared That over "a Hundred
Miners Have pcrishrd--Thc
Disaster Caused by Dust
Explosion.

81. LOUIS. Feb IA sprclal to the
Globe Democrat from san Antonio
Texas says
Eighty.nyc miners killed and 70
moro buried under debris Is the aw-
MI record made by dust explosion
at the Hondo mine In Mexico the
news of which was received here to-
night.
At IA umc the explosion occurred
thcrr were 100 miners at work In the
mine all n whom were cniombed by
a shaft being chokcd up by falling
earth hni stone looscncd by the ex.
pllsIon Just how many are dead Is
not al this time known. but nt last
accounts received here by wire 70.
night So bodies had bccu recovered.
u lH frard that the death l.s. viii
bc greatly over hundred
The Honiu mines are located a.
1oahulln. a. the terminus nf the
branch uf the Mexican International
rallrnai about 100 miles south of Eagle
Pass and arr the most important In
,ha1 state Thc icIaih ~ the dlsas-
cr ARE mcagcr. no names OF the Vie
Tins being l0rncd
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
PLAN OF COLONIZATION
BIG SCHEME PROPOSED BY
WESTERN LINES.
Southern and Union Pacific Ia
Provide Occupants for Land
in California aud Texas.

CHICAGO. Feb. l-ofiicials Of the
tratllc department OF the Southern Pa
cinc. Union Pacific and their allied
lines are meeting here with view
NJ perfccing the largest colonization
plan ever attempted by western roads.
Il is the purpose Of the men control
ling the Hartman lines to provide
occupants for millions of acres OF fer
tile and unoccupied lands in southern
California. Texas and Western Louisi-
ana The general plan will be TO send
into the middle and eastern states and
possibly into some OF the northern
states fully 1000 immigrant or colon
lzaton agents, whose duty 1t shall be
to induce immigration TO the terri
tories mentioned,
The officials who are arranging the
details OF the plan are J. c. StubbS,
traffic director of the Hartman lines;
General Passenger Agent Lomax OF
the Union Pacific; $ +. B. Morse, as
sistant traffic manager Of the Texas
lines or the Southern Pacific and r,
campbell, traffic manager Of the Ore
gon Railroad 4 Navigation Company.
In the Southwest" said Mr.. Morse,
Eve have over 100000 acres Of fer
tile land which would make good
homes for industrious people We be-
lieve that no section Of the United
States has \ more brilliant future
than Texas and Western Louisiana,
and we are convinced that all that is
necessary is to let the public know
what we have got"
II is announced that within a short
time that every one OF the 1000 or
more agents will be at work through
the states east OF the Mississippi river.
From time to time home seekers ex-
cursions win be run TO the territories
mentioned and special inducements
will be offered to get the public to yis-
1t the Southwest and Southern Cali
fornia.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
BIDDLE BROTHERS
DIED LAST NIGHT
aaza=
Wounds inflicted 10 Their Fight
With the Officers Resulted
in Death.
MRS. SOFFEL WILL SURVIVE
Three Had Planned Suicide in
Event of Officers Oyertaking
Thcm--StOry of John
BIddIe.

BUTLER. Pa. Feb. l.-At the close
of a day OF intense excitement and
many conflicting stories concerning the
chances for life Of the wounded Bid
die brothers and Mrs Kate Soffel,
the unexpected has happened John
Biddle, who until late this afternoon
was considered the more likely Of the
brothers to escape present death, sue
cumbed first and died at 7:35 p m.
His brother Ed. who has been IN
conscious all day and who was con-
sldered In a dying condition last
night survived until Il o'clock, when
he. too, went over the great divide.
Mrs Soffel developed symptoms Of
pneumonia this afternoon after pass
ing through an operation for the ex-
traction Of the bullet She has
chance FOR lie and unless some un-
foresecn complication sets in will re-
cover.
Jack Biddle was laxative this
morning and told the complete story
Of the escape He said Mrs. Soffel
had assisted them. but could not be
Induced to admit that she had fur
nished the saw with which the bars
were cut This part OF the work was
done January Il, but trivial obstruc-
tons prevented the escape.
According to Jacks story, he and
his brother could easily have escaped
had 1t not been FOR the women. she
had helped us, said Blddle. and we
would not desert her We could cas-
ily have secured another horse and
made our escape when We saw the
officers coming along the road yester-
day We knew Il was all up. We had
planned to kill ourselves raher than
submit TO capture and did not fire at
the officers, but turned the weapons
upon ourselves We knew We had
no chance to get away ana that we
would swing II aken back; so We
all shot ourselves.
Mrs. Soffel tells different stories re-
gariing the manner in which she was
wounded. she first averred thai she
had shot herself, nut afterwards said
Edward Biddle had shot her.
Edward Biddle lapsed into uncon-
sciousness shortly after the noon hour
and his death was not unexpected
His brother was wounded in the stom-
ach and it was also realized that he
could not live. Both men stoutly de-
MED that they ever murdered anyone.
although they admitted that they had
been implicated in a great number OF
robberies.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
GOVERNOR TAFT
ON PHILIPPINES
Speaks Before Senate Commit
tee on Conditions in the
Archipelago.
POPULATION ABeOT 100000
The Governor Declares Chris
Ians Made All the Trouble
Progress Of Civil
GOvernmsnt.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1-Governor
Taft. Of the Philippine archipelago,
vas again before the senate commit
ee on Philippines today.
Governor Taft spoke OF the unrelia-
bility Of all estimates Of the popu-
Iation. but said there we're probably
100000 Filiplnos or Christians and
probably million Moros Members OF
the committee smiled when Taft said
.hat the Christians had made all the
trouble
Governor Taft said there were prob
ably 1900 rifles in the hands Of the
insurgents in the Islands.
AS to the juntas, most Of them are
concentrated now at Hong Kong. COM
posed mostly Of natives Of Batangas.
who had made their money in coffee
growing
Replying to Senator Dubois, the wit
ness said that Laguna and Samar are
the only Philippine provinces which
have not been organized and that with
those provinces organized. practically
all the Philippines capable Of being
taken. viii be under civil government.
Speaking upon the subject Of the
federal party, Taft said 1t comprised
probably a majority Of the educated
people OF the archipelago. but that
when the commission had been asked
TO either approve or disapprove OF its
platform it had refused to do either.
Probably, he continued. the promises
had misled him. but as for himself
he held the opinion that the institu-
ton of statehood. like the question
Of Independence, is so far in the fu-
ture that ne did not regard it as OF
present Importance.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
REPEAL OF The TEA TAX
IMPORTERS AND MERCH-
ANTS DISAGREE ON DATE
Subject Being Discussed by Com
mittee of National Tea Duty
Association.

NEW YORK, Feb. There is a
wide difference OF opinion among local
tea merchants and importers as to the
time when the proposed repeal of the
war tax on tea should take effect
Some members Of the trade seem TO
be quite surprised by the announce
ment from Washington that the ways
and means committee has recon-
mended January 1, 1908. as the date
when the appeal would take effect.
As yet no concerted action has been
taken by local tea interests and
grocers on the matter Of date. II is
receiving careful consideration, how
ever, and is the subject of conferences
OF members of the executive committee
Of the National Tea Duty Repeal ASso-
citation. No definite stand on the
question has been taken by the com
mittee. II has been decided to secure
the sentiment Of prominent interests
in various parts of the country before
taking final action either in favor Of
January /, 1905 as the date for the re-
peal act to take effect or an earlier
date. inquiries are to be sent at once
by the committees in order to learn
what other sections think about it,
That the trade is divided on the sub
ject is shown by the fact that some ia
vor January /, 1908; others would
prefer July next and still others argue
that the repeal should take effect i'm
mediately upon its passage.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
BY PRIVATE SUBSCRIPTION
Raising Of Money Needed for Enter
talnmcnt OF Prince Henry

NEW YORK, Feb. 1.-The expenses
u the reception and entertainment Of
Prime Henry Of Prussia are to be met
By private subscriptions and the com
mHtee on finance. named by the exec
uuve committee In charge OF the ar
rangcmentA Is now AT work discussing
methods and means OF raising the
money needed. No decision has been
arrived at thus far, but at meet
ing Of the committee on finance which
win be- held In the rooms of the cham
bcr Of commerce next Tuesday It Is
likely shat q definite plan viii be ap-
proved
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-02-02
FRoZE FAST TO Tee.

TRINIDAD. Colo. Feb. 1.-Two Au-
s,rians met under the West Main
street bridge IN a wrestling match TO
see which could put the other under
the Ice. They dlsrobed and Charles
Pcnosa was forced under by his OPP
ponent. lie WAS unable 10 get Out
and froze fast He was discovered
later by TWO 'len who thought he was
dead Rrstoratiyes brought him 10
lie. however, and IL Is thought he
NIll live.