The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25

preparation for book market 1t was
an unattractive volume of solid type
in plain green cloth, when it finally
reached the desk of a number of news
papers that were exchanging with the
Atchison Globe. The first compliment
tary notice of the novel appeared in the
columns of a paper edited by the writer
of this, who had known Mr.. Howe for 4
number of years, and who Immediately
recognized the deep pathoS, the strong
character delinea tions, the dramatic in
tensity of the hOmely story which so
accurately depicted life in western
country town. But beyond a few cur
sorry notices of the book in papers
friendly to the author, The Story of a
Country Town seemed destined to etar-
nal peace and oblivion. A very curious
incident led to its popularity.
Barney McCauley, the actor, was
playing an engagement in Atchison-
Howe had found his only recompense
for all the trouble and all the sleep
less nights he had endured in the writ
ing and publishing of hiS book in be
slowing copies gratis here and there on
men of appreciation whom he liked or
admired And among these was Nc
Cauley. The actor was leaving Atchi--
son to go to New York, and while on
the train remembered that he had
Howe'S book in his valiSe, which the
author had enjoined him to read during
the tedium of the journey. McCauley
read it and gave his impressions of 1t
10 number of New York newspaper
men whom ne met on his arrival The
old actor was so deeply moved by the
tragic current of the story that he in
terested the newspaper men in it, one
of W bonn requested permission to take
the volume home He read it, and was
profoundly impressed and recommend
ed it to the book reviewer of the New
York World.
In due time there appeared in the
Sunday edition of that paper a two
column review, expressing such I'M
qualified admiration Of the story that
the book publishers of the east dis
patched post-haste to Mr. Howe for
copies of the novel coupled with sub
stantiaI offers for the exclusive right to
publish Il. II is said that not less than
six or seven leading publishing houses
that had declined the work were bid
ding for it ere Mr.. Howe decided upon
the offer OF a prominent book house
winch appeared to make the most salts
factory proposition. In the course of
six weeks The Story of a Country
Town appeared in new type and bind
ing, and was launched upon career
OF almost unprecedented popularity"
Mr.. Alfred J. Lewis. of Atchison, who
has been at the Metropolitan a few
days, expresses himself as follows
business in the house, 1t strikes me
that the power of the national house
IN the administration of affairs of the
government is waning. The Reed rules
~NAA ~ AldAS II poSSlDlc IOE three or
four men on the committee on rules to
say what shall and what shall not be
done BY the lower arm of the legisla tive
branch am Speaking now entirely in
abstract terms In former times the
house was considered the strong Iegis-
lative body, and it was closest to the
people and could better tell what the
desires of the people might happen to
be- Now we see the house constantly
bowling to the viii of the senate. The
latter body has recently come to be the
real 1awrnaking institution. If the
house takes the initiative and passes a