The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-15
BRET HARTE AS A WORKER.
He Could BE Expeditions When occa-
sion REQUIRED.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
1t is noticed that in many OF the refer
enees to Bret Harte IT has been asserted
that he was an exceedingly slow, palms.
taking writer. That he was slow. at least
at the time he was in New York, is not
questioned. but the understanding here was
that IL was the slowness of procrastination,
that he dreaded, as Thackeray did. to take
up his work. and therefore put it of until
the last moment. Once he procrastinated
so greatly that the publishers OF the CAL
axy Magazine were obliged TO go to press
with a number Of their magazine that did
not contain an installment OF his story
Gabriel Conroy." But that he could work
with amazing swiftness If il were neces-
sary is certain. since he demonstrated his
power Of that kind when writing what all
competent critics regard as his most ar
ustic and perfect story, Thankful Bios
SON." Charles A Dana had engaged Hart
TO write a story for the Sun, ana the ex-
pectation at first was that il would be a
serial continuing for some months, but pro-
crastination prevented that.
One day in December, some two or three
weeks before Christmas, Harte appeared
at Mark Twain's house in Hartford, Conn.
He came to seek hospitality. He was with
Mark in the early days OF half Bohemian
companionship in San Francisco. Mark
Twain had gained both fortune and fame;
Bret Harte had secured fame, but had
yet his fortune 10 attain. He said 10 Mark
Twain that Mr.. Dana had offered him $50
IL he would complete a story In time TO
advertise the opening installment Of il for
the Christmas number, or to print the
whole OF ii in that number. but that Mr..
Dana had qualified this offer by saying
that If the story was not done in time to
advertise it as a feature of the Christmas
number OF the Sun then he would pay no
more than $50 for the tale. The time was
short and Harte said to Mark Twain that
he had come TO Hartford that he might
have absolute seclusiOn and felt sure that
his old friend would extend to him his hos
pitality. Mark Twain received him royal
ly. and they spent the evening in that char
acteristic hospitality which those who have
been Mark TWain'S guests at Hartford re-
member pleasantly. At 7:0 Harte retired
10 Mark Twain's library supplied with cl-
gars, refreshments, pens, ink and paper.
and sure Of absolute silence. At 3 o'clock
next morning, when the family met for
breakfast. Bret Harte came forth from the
library, having only a few moments before
written The end" He had written stead
lily from midnight until 9 o'clock in the
morning. and in that time had completed
the tale. 1t may be, Of course, that some
portion of il vas already written when he
came to the house. He showed no signs
of fatigue other than that he said that he
was a little sleepy, and that there were a
few sticks in his head, but after breakfast,
there having gathered a company OF friends
at Mark Twain's house, Bret Harte read
the tale of Thankful Blossom" TO that
company and took an afternoon train for
New York.
This experience seems TO negative the
common impression that Bret Harte was
of necessity a writer OF slow, labor!ous
method. 1t has always been felt in New
York that Harte made a mistake, financial
ly at least, in expatriatiIg himself. and
that he had within him the capacity TO
earn as great pecuniary rewards as were
those obtained by Mark Twain or any other
who has gained competence or wealth by
writing. He hacked. however, the business
sense.