Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-07
DAILY SHORT STORY
Unconscious Criticism.
IOriginal.l

thought her a mere butterfly, by pub
fishing q novel. The reviews were IA.
vorable, and everybody except Miss
Cloverlee's enemies was beginning to
think that she had done something re-
markable for young girl till the Ana:
lytical Review spoke of the story as
zone of those novels written by MEM
Der of the smart set whose experiences
IN love affairs are limited to the affec-
tions of schoolboys and schoolgirls"
This criticism, of course, fell very
heavily on the young author.
One evening at n social gathering
Redwood Eggleston was introduced to
Miss Cloverlee. The topic of conversa-
ton fell upon literature.
What kind of stories do you pre-
fer?' she asked.
''All kinds that are good stories"
"Do your preferences usually coincide
with those of the public?'
Sometimes. Not often. l believe,
however, that when the better classes
accept a story there must be some
thing In it, and often try to discover
what that something is"
do you succeedY
Casually, so far as 1 can judge or
what have no proof"
There were a frankness and common
sense about these statements that were
very pleasing to Miss Cloverlee. She
became much impressed with the idea
that Mr.. EgglestOn's opinion of n book
would be valuable. She would have
been delighted to have his views with
regard TO her novel, but was too mod
est as we'll as too we'll bred to ask
them. Whether Mr.. Eggleston did not
know that she was the author OF
"Adrienne" or had not read IT, he did
not mention it. After both had passed
one of those delightful evenings that
occur from meeting cOngenial COM
panlon Eggleston, having asked per-
mission to CALL took his departure.
"Who is that gentleman just going
out of the door?' asked Miss Cloverlee
of friend.
'Mr. Eggleston. He's on the star of
the Analytical Review. He writes the
criticisms"
Miss Cloverlee's heart sank. Now
for the first time she began to feel that
her novel was really without value.
Mr.. Eggleston called. He was still
ignorant of the fact that Miss Glover
lee was the author of a book he had
stabbed with the merciless point of
pen. Miss CIoverlee bore him no NAL
ice. Indeed. she regarded his uncon-
scious criticism of great value. How
ever, she was not disposed to give up
her advantage over her critic.
What is your opinion" was one OF
her first questions. "of the literary crit
icisms that appear in the periodicals."
Rot" replied Mr.. ESgleston.
Miss Cloverlee was taken, as sail
or would say. fiat aback." Then she
remembered that one of such a profess
sion might protect himself against dis
putes with authors by just such a
statement.
"Why do you think so?'' she asked.
That's rather n difficult question to
answer; 1t involves so rnuch. But l
will say, first, that different books np-
peal to different people, the critics us
well as the laity; secondly. the critics
are so loaded down with work that an
author cannot be sure that his individ-
uaI book will receive proper attention.
These two statements are simply heads
upon which could write pages"
You seem familiar with the sub
ject."
"I should be; write criticisms"
"Have you ever written criticism
on a novel called 'Adrienne' by She
pretended to have forgotten the name.
'T can't help you to the author. l
| don't remember that, since l have so
many books to criticise, but I remember
the story very well. The style was de-
| lightfuI, the ideas fresh, a depth OF
| feeling
Miss Cloverlee burst out laughing.
| Her companion looked disconnected.
"Mr. Eggleston," she said, when she
| had controlled her mirth, Gin your crit
icism of this book in the Analytical
Review you referred to the authors
love experiences as attachments be-
tween schoolboys and schoolgirls.
| happened to read it,
Miss Cloverlee," he said after q
pause, my explanation must be conf
DENTAL"
Certainly"
''The Analytical Review has a liter
airy policy. l am instructed to con-
denim everything. Once in awhile the
editor hands me a dry as dust novel
| in which the characters are supposed
to work out certain phiIosophic princi-
| pies that exist only in the authors be-
| clouded brain. Having taken a brief
course of philosophy in Germany, l
am enabled to discuss the book with
apparent wisdom. The criticism pleases
those people who admire a depth they
haven't themselves and sells the Re-
view, while the condemnation of all
other productions fixes its high literary
standard" Mr.. Eggleston paused, then
added, my excuse is that 1 am carry
| ing out the orders of others
Miss Cloverlee pondered for awhile
in silence. Mr.. Eggleston proceeded:
81 do not intend to remain long in a
| position where / am obliged to carry
| out a policy which 1 contemn- 1 am
temporarily using my salary for sup
port while studying my profession, the
law"
| AFius CI0varlaa'S nxnrpaci0n phanQpd