Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-21

terday morning, and at II o'clock he pass
ed away. His death was great shock to
Mrs. Stockton, as fatal termination was
not expected.
Mr.. Stockton had spent the winter in New
York. and about a month ago he went to
Atlantic City His general health had so
much improved that while there he did
some writing. He had been accustomed to
spend several weeks in this city at this
time of the year before going to his sum-
mer home near Charlestown, W. Va. Even
after the stroke of paralysis Wednesday
evening, followed by the hemorrhage of
the brain, it was thought he would be able
to start for Charlestown in about ten days.
His brother, Mr.. William Stockton Of
Philadelphia was summoned, and he ar
rived here yesterday The interment will
be in Philadelphia Thursday next.
Fame Rests on Short Stories.
Frank Richard Stockton was one Of the
most original as well as one of the most
popular of present-day American humor-
lists. his fame resting chiefly on his short
stories. Although it was not until 1879
when the author was forty-five years old,
that he first attracted public attention by
his "Rudder Grange" papers, which then
appeared in Scribners. his reputation grew
rapidly. His short stories attained great
popularity, not only in this country, but
also abroad, and some, notably The Lady
or the Tiger" have been translated into
several languages. He worked differently
from most authors, inasmuch as he never
made note, carrying his new novel in his
head. and letting the story build itself for
a period covering sometimes several years
Then. when he was ready, he would die
tate it to his stenographer. The first draft
was seldom revised.
The story of his which attracted the most
widespread interest was probably THE
Lady or the Tiger?' The hero at the end
Of the story is left In the arena. and Is
about to open one of two doors, behind one
nP hioh jS ipcr nd he ind fha hnr
girl who loves the hero. Another girl in
the balcony, who also loves him. and who
knows the secret Of the DOORS signals him
which one to open. The story ends at this
interesting point To an interviewer. who
asked him to clear up the mystery, Mr..
Stockton said: I'm sure l would like to
tell you, but I can't, because really don't
This famous story set everybody guessing.
1t was a topic Of conversation when Mr..
Stockton met Rudyard Kiplng at recep-
ton and informed the latter that he con-
templated going to India.
I'm glad to hear it, exclaimed Kipling,
enthusiastically. II know just what we'll
Go with you over there when we get you
away from your friends and family. Well
lure you out into the jungle and have you
seized and bound by our trusty wallahs.
Well have you turned on your back and
get one Of our biggest elephants to stand
| over you with his foot poised above your
head. Then I'll say in my most insinuating
way: Come. now, Stockton. which was it,
the lady or the tiger? -
On one occasion Mr.. Stockton was the
guest Of honor at dinner given in Wash
ington by the wife of member Of Presi-
dent Harrison's cabinet. During the meal
the conversation was vigorously kept away
from literary topics. Finally the dessert
was served. Two large plates of ice cream
were placed in front of the hostess. One of
orange water ice was cast in a mold of a
tiger, the other, vanilla, in the form of
woman. Turning to the astonished novel
list, the hostess, with now I've got YOU
air. asked:
Which flavor do you prefer. Mr.. Stock
ton?"
"A little of both. if you please" he re-
piled. imperturbably.
And SO the famous question again re-
manned unanswered.
Much that was characteristic Of Francis
Richard Stockton, the man, has charac-
terized Frank r. Stockton, the author He
was quizzical and funloving as the men
and women Of whom he wrote
Of Literary Family.
Mr.. Stockton came Of a literary family,
his father. William s. Stockton. having
been prominent as a Methodist writer and
controversalist. His half-brother, the Rev.
Thomas H. Stockton, was a noted pulpit
orator; his brother, John D. Stockton, was
dramatist, poet and critic, and his sister,
Louise Stockton, is well known as a maya
zine writer. Frank was born in Philadel-
phia in 1884, and was one Of twelve chill
dren. He received his education in the
Philadelphia public schools. He then
learned wood engraving. but did not remain
faithful to his art. He began to write
verses when he was ten years old. 1t is re-
lated of him that he once sent poem to
the editor of religious paper in Baltimore,
who rejected 1t. Young Stockton was con-
WINGED that the editor was very ignorant
person. In order to test his theory he at
tached a fictitious name to one of Millions
poems and sent it to the same editor, who
promptly printed it.
His first published efforts were 1.-THE
Tng-a-Ling Stories" which were printed in
the Riverside Magazine in 1860. Two years
before he had Joined the STAFF of the Phila-
delphia Morning Post. The Scribners ac-
copied one of his stories in 1872 and that
year he went to New York as editor of
| Hearth and Home. The following year he
joined the staff of Scribner's Monthly, but
| in the autumn of the same year he became
the assistant to Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge
on the new st. Nicholas. He retained this
| position until 1880. when he resigned on ac-
count Of poor health. He then went to live