Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-29
DAILY SHORT STORY
The snags of Literature.
tOrIinaI.l

least that is what his publishers told
him. lie supposed they knew all about
II and determined to abandon the school
of realism ana try story with incident
and action.
To gather inspiration from the ocean,
which he loved. he went to quiet vii
lage at the seashore. On the very
morning of his arrival he met Lucia
Penley. the daughter of a cottager.
Miss Penley had way of understand
ing Wholesalers ideas before he had
half expressed them. He told her of
his failures In the school of realism
and that he was about to write Il novel
in which the hero and heroine were to
be pursued by adverse circumstances.
Seven in ten of the characters were to
die violent deaths, while the other
three
Miss Penley shook her head.
but the publishers
''Never mind the Publishers. Be
what you are or nothing"
Winchester was persuaded and re-
solved to make one more trial of the
realistic school. AS he proceeded with
his work he read the manuscript to
occasionally suggested his bringing out
an idea or a motive more plainly.
''YOu think the public won't under
stand?"
"I'm thinking of your publishers.
They are one in perhaps fifty thousand
of your audience, and any stupidity on
their part is detrimental in like pro-
portion. Indeed. you must pass them
to get,at the public"
81 wonder why 1 didn't think of that
before" said Winchester musingly.
In the autumn Winchester took his
manuscript to the city and began to
send it round the circle of publishers.
The result was the same as before. 1t
was returned with thanks for being
permitted to read it," In despair the
author worked his way into the sane
tum of one of the persons who had
read and declined his production and
begged for his reasons.
"AIy dear fellow" replied the read
err" "you are too late. During the past
six months the sensational historical
novel has appeared and revolutionized
everything Six months ago l would
have recommended your story for pub
LEGATION; today l would not dare do So"
Then Winchester regretted that he
had not gone into the sensational
school. He resolved to shut himself up
for the winter and do so. He finished
his story by early spring and submitted
it. Meanwhile the paper covered novel
in which such stories had usually ap-
peared had passed out and the expen-
sive cloth book had taken it's place.
Winchester was told that his story was
too short to be sold "in CLOTH
With Il load on his heart he went
home and spent months in lengthening
it, When he submitted it again he was
Informed that it appeared to have been
padded
Winchester resolved to try once more
and make his novel long enough to suit
any one. He had noticed that writers
of genius had demonstrated that there
was ample opportunity for high grade
literary work in the school of incident
as we'll as in the school of realism. He
therefore determined to select n subject
capable of being worked TO advantage
and make one supreme effort Five
years elapsed before he finished his
magnum opus. His wife had helped
him with an occasional suggestion and
after the work was put into good form
read it carefully and pronounced it by
far the best thing he had ever done.
He felt encouraged, for he had begun
to have great regard for her opinion.
Then he sent it to the publishers.
He was crushed by the first reply.
eff you will cut your story it said,
''to one-fifth its length. we will gladly
use it. In its present form it is I'M
available"
Again Winchester sought the "read-
err and asked him his reasons.
"Within a few MONTHS" replied the
reader" 1.-THE whole character of the
literary market has changed. The
short story is replacing the long novel,"
Winchester went home to his wife
and told her that his hopes had again
been dashed.
"Bardwell," she replied, 81 think you
have had all the pleasure you can get
with your pen, and that's all there is in
it except for one in fifty million, so
you'd better take up something new.
How would you like to go into the pub
fishing businessT
'Why do you suggest that line?"
Because before met you had dis
covered what you have been so long
learning. You know Rose Drake that
has been selling by the hundred thou
sand lately? Well, am its author"
"Great heavens!'
''The way got it published was this:
I found an obscure publisher who had
for years tried his own judgment, max
ing a failure every time, and at the
moment 1 struck him he was desper-
ate. After reading Rose Drake he
sent for me and said:
"Tn my Judgment, that's the worst
novel ever written. But, as have
found my Judgment no good, I'm going
to the opposite extreme, and am ready
to sign contract for it's publication :"
"But Rose Drake is a beautiful
story"
''WeIl, now that I've made one sue
oocs narhanc 7 can make more We