Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-11
LITERATURE AND LIFE
a. j. N.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..


Elliott Flower is a genuine and de-
lightful hunorist who Will stand com
parison with any of his contemporary
les in that line. In Policeman Flynn,
his first book, we have drawn, as dis
tinct and original character as Null
vaney or Dooley. Barney Flynn is a
keen witted Irishman with a dialect
and a philosophy and the philosophy
evinces genuine humor. good sense,
great kindness and honesty of heart
We say genuine because it's humor
shows not the faintest trace of exag-
geration or strain, nor is it of the
cheap, smart or vulgar sort.
The book contains &c separate
sketches connected only by the central
character that gives the title. The
experiences related have an interest
beyond most sketches of that sort. in
that they are based on truth. The
gallant Irishman, it is said, was a
real, Chicago policeman, and many of
his adventures, actual occurrences.
=
Elliott Flower is another conspicu-
Gus example of the evolution of an au-
thor thru the funny columns of the
newspaper, and like Twain, Harte
Field, Dooley and George AIDE, he is al
so western man.
Am I correct? The impression that
has just come to me that all the spark
ling wits of today SAVIOR of western
sun and soil? What is the secret?
What is there in the grim and strenu-
Gus life of new country to produce
so much sunshine and cheer?
Born in Wisconsin 1863. Mr.. Flower
received his early training in Chicago,
afterwards, attending the Phillips acad-
envy at Andover, Mass. In Sc, he went
on the staff of the Chicago Tribune,
and promoted from time to time until
he had charge of a department in the
Sunday paper.
From 1893 to 1901, he was on the
staff of the Chicago Evening Post.
Since then he has contributed to var
ious papers and magazines. His work
is mainly humorous, tho he is not in
capable of good serious work. He now
conducts a humorous department in
the Brooklyn Sunday Eagle, and one in
the Chicago Evening Post.
Policeman Flynn" is his first book.
.The Argonaut" tells a story on the
late Frank Stockton who, in his early
literary career, in conjunction with his
brother John, wrote many poems which
We're inflicted upon the editors of vari-
Gus periodicals. Their effusions We're
always declined. One particular mag
azine was their especial target, but
as none of their poems We're ever ac-
cepted, the brothers came to the con-
clusion this editor had no conception
of good poetry, and to prove their be-
lief, sent to him as their own, an ode
little known from Milton. In a couple
of days they received a check and let
ter of thanks. Il came to the conclu-
sion" said Frank Stockton, that that
editor knew poetry when he saw It, 4
after all, and SO gave UP trying to
write it."
The above story recalls similar
joke perpetrated on some English pub
fishers which. however, met with a
somewhat different result. The story
as told by the Tattler in the Book World
for year ago. relates that a number
of London publishers were fooled by
some one sending them a typewriter
copy Of 1vanhoe," as original MS.
There were no changes made in the
story, whatever, except in the title
which was changed to when John Was
King
Among the alleged replies sent in
from the publishers, we recall two,
which, If fictitious, at least show the
opinion of one writer as to the treat
ment Sir Walter Scott would receive,
were he alive today.
I'VE regret to have to return When
John Was England's King but we
fear that interest in historical fiction
Is diminishing. Our readers report is
on the whole favorable, but he sug-
gests that the charge of initiating '"The
Forest Loyers-a recent publication
might, perhaps, be difficult to rebut.
In his opinion, the author of When
John Was England's King would have
made better and more readable book
had he studied Mr.. Hewlett more care
fully"
Another publisher replied as follows:
1--WE beg to return your MS. of |
When John Was England's King and |
20 quote from our readers report
10 not recommend this novel, altho it |
S painstaking and thorough. The au
.hor would, / think, have been wiser
had he chosen another name for his |
zero. Ivanhoe has already been used |
oy Sir Walter Scott"
The foregoing stories recall yet an
,ther, which goes to show that such
okes are not always in fun, but may
De serious test of the publisher by
,ome constituencies plagariast.
An old number of the Critic" re-
ates that an unknown author sent to
Iessrs. Putnam, story entitled
Aboard the American Duchess" 1t
vas examined and approved by five
lifferent readers, was paid for and then
published. Several days later, one of
heir patrons entered Putman's book
tore, picked up the book, read a few
,ages, and informed the salesman that
lie had bough. the same book two years
,efore under a different title. On his
eturn home the patron hunted up the
.arlier work which he sent to the Put
mans. 1t was entitled '1rhe Queen of
Wight" written by Weadon Hill, and
published by q London firm, Ward,
Lock & Co. Comparison of the two
tories proved their complete identity,
fax al IA