The Minneapolis journal., 1902-03-21
A FAMOUS BOOK
e. w. Howe and His Novel, ssThe
Story of n Country Town.

washington Post.
The recent success Of William Allen
White as political observer recalls the
literary achievements of another Kansas
writer, one OF whom the London Saturday
Review said that he had produced the
greatest novel ever written by an Ameri-
can. This book was 1.-THE Story of Coun-
Try Town." by E. W. Howe, the editor of
the Atchison Globe.
Mr.. Howe wrote s"The Story Of a Coun-
try Town in the few leisure hours that
fall to the lot of man who edits daily
paper and att the same time gives his at
tentlon to the business end Of 'job Of
tice.' When 1.-THE Story of a Country
Town was completed, after season of
hard labor and great. deal of burning of
midnight oil, Mr.. HoWe's real hardships
began. The book was rejected by one pub
Usher after another. They could perceive
none of the high lights of success in it's
somber tone, and after repeated attempts
to lind publisher for it, Mr.. Howe re-
solved to print and publish it himself.
1t was set up in his job Office, the au-
thor himself setting part of the type and
experimenting it's general preparation for
the book market. 1t was an unattractive
volume of solid type in plain green cloth,
when 1t finally reached the desk Of num-
Der OF newspapers that were exchanging
with the Atchison Globe. But beyond a
lew cursory notices of the book In papers
friendly to the author, "The Story of
country Town seemed destined to eter-
nal peace and oblivion. A very curious
incident led to- it's popularity O.. - :"
Barney McCauley, the actor, was play-
ing an engagement in Atchison Howe had
found his only recompense for all the
trouble and all the sIeepless nights he had
endured In the writing and publishing Of
MS oook in bestowtng copies gratis here
ana there On men of appreciation whom
u
was McCauley. The actor was leaving
Atch1son to go to New York and while on
tne train remembered that he had Howe's
book In his bag. The old actor was so
ueeply moved by the tragic current of the
story that after reaching New York he in
terested the newspaper men in it, -. .
IN due time there appeared in the New
iolA Worlu TWO column review ex-
pressing such unqualified admiration Of
the story that the book publishers of the
east dispatched post-haste to Mr.. Howe
lot copies OF the novel and in the course
OF SIX weeks "The Story of Count1v
loWn appeared in new type and binding
ana was launched upon a career of almost
unprecedented popularity. = E.. 2 :
II was during the height of the popu-
r. ,iarlty OF The Story of a Country Town,
that Mr. Howe visited Europe, and, while
IN London decided to pay his respects tn
the appreciative writer of a notice In
the saturday Review. Mr.. Howe sent
MS card. BY return post came a letter
inviting him to be present at a little gath
s e1ins OF MS London admirers. A certain
! 5aI anu humper was designated, and a
| lauy name was signed to the note.
! NOW, Mr.. HOwes conception of the hoob
reviewer OF the London publication was
| that OF a Woodworking literary woman
Win INK stains on her finger tips and q
certain careless blue-stocking aspect
| when possessed no terror for him. The
gathering, he supposed, would represent
Gongen1al set OF bohemians who fitted
well In with his free and easy western
| manners and among whom he could easily
| strlke chord Of common interest. To
MS amazement the cabby to whom he
mad given the address deposited him in
| front OF a palatial residence in the ultra
fashionable quarter Of London. Two liv-
erred nunk1es rushed forth and opened the
| cab door. He discovered, when too late
| that he had been betrayed into the society
OF fashionable literary set waiting tc
| celebrate him as a lion. It was too late
| to retreat. -
! There was Lady So-and-So and Lore
Somebody else; it seemed more like {
/ dream than reality. But his reception
was most cordial. His literary patrones!
proved to be lady entitled TO have al
embossed crest on her stationery; he1
treatment of, him was signally gracious
! and kind; when the party arose to 90 tt
! luncheon Mr.. Howe was assigned to es
cort a queenly woman whose name he dit
not catch. But he had an opportunity
later. OF addressing whispered inquir,
tc his hostess as to her identity and hi
surprise was increased when told that i
was Lady Colin Campbell.
In appearance the author Of THE Stor,
Of Country Town" is a sturdy, unassum
ing man of 47, Of medium height, witt
clear blue eyes, which express re
markable power OF penetration, and /;
strong law denoting force and tenacity o
purpose. He possesses placid tempera
ment and is exceedingly fond of music
At the time he wrote his first novel hi
fondness for literature was confined t.
Dickens, whose influence is palpabl
manifest in his own work His capacit
for sarcasm is frequently carried into hi
II personal relations, but those who know
him. intimately soon learn to be fond o
him, and few men Of marked character
istics could be more general an
/ responsive amid a circle of bright spirits
such as Mr.. Howe frequently delights t
summon to his cozy home to spend a.
evening of unrestrained pleasure.