New-York tribune., 1902-04-27
| TELLER OF TALES.
FRANK r. STOCKTON, AUTHOR
OF THE LADY OR
THE TIGER"
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CREATOR
OF POMONA AND OTHER IN
TERESTING PERSONS.

Frank r. Stockton, who died suddenly at Wash
ington on the morning Of April 20. is remembered
by his friends a most genial !ovahle man ana
good companion. He must have known that his
days were numbered. because he spoke OF his death
only a week before he passed away something 10
be looked for This at the rooms or ehe
Authors Club IN this city. He :oid a friend ana
fellow member a story which he Intended 10 make
the foundation q novel u Will not live 10 write
it." he said and want you write II for mo-.
Stockton's striking success was achieved
with the story The Lady or the Tiger. which Is
the story a semi i-barbaric king who lived in the
very olden time" who amused himself by dealing
IN a picturesque way with subjects accused OF
crime The accused was brought into an
arena. where he decided his own fate. The story
says:
Directly opposite him on the other side Of the the
ncloSed spacei ,he ontV and the privilege OF
the person trial to walk directly to iiese d9ots
he pleased; he subject to no guidance or m
and incorruptible chance. If he opened the one
there came out Of it hungry uger. the fiercest
med.ateIy sprang upon him and tore him to pieces
as punishment tor his guilt The moment oafn tnaf
iron bells changed. great walls went up from
But II The accused person opened the other door
there came forth from it lady. The most suitable
to his years and station that his malestE couio ia
seIec among his fair subjects. and to this ady ne
Immediately married as Tewapa g OF aEsady ms I
possess wife and family or that his am affections cfo
he
ton: the King allowed no such subordinate ar,
rangernents to interfere with his great scheme or
rrtrihutfon and reward. The exercises as IN the
n+her instance took place Immediately. and IN the
a priest followed by band OF choristers and
dancing naidens. blowing Joyous airs on golden
horns and treadng epithalmc measure. al.
vanced where the pair stood, side Dy SIZE allu
This was the Kings semi i-barharic method
of mtnstering justice. It's perfect fairness Is OBJ
yious The criminal could not know out of which
door would come the lady: he opened either he
L., inst q
red On occasions the tiger came out or one
door and of the other. The accused
nerson was instantly punished If he found himself
spot, whether he liked IT or not
This semi i-harbaric king had a daughter as
blooming his most forid fancips and with soul
as fervcnt and imperious as his own. AS is usual
in such cases she the apple of his eye and
was loved by him above all humanity. Among MS
courtiers man of that fneness or
blood and owness of station common TO the con
yentional heroes of romance who love royal maid
ems This royal maiden was well satisfied with her
lover for he handsome and brave to a degree
I,nsIrpaseed in all this kingdom, and she loved
in It TO make It exceedingly and strong. This
love affair moved on happily for many months.
until day the King happened to discover Its
existence He did not hesitate or waver in regard
diately cast into prison. and a day appointed
for his trial In the Kings arena
The story goes on to say that the fair daughter
learned by the judicious expenditure of gold in
which cage the tiger would be and also that
beautiful girl who had looked with loving eyes
the unfortunate youth had been selected ''the
lady in the case and adds:
e. The only hope for the youth in which there