The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-26

rary career in 1869. in connection with
mo Now orleans ..Picayune." Cables
first stories appeared in Scribner & Ap-
pleton. and were afterwards collected
and published under the title OF Oid
creole DAYS" and won him high place
In literary circles. This volume was soon
followed by ."rhe Grnndessemes.'
MADAME Delphine," and "The History
OF New Orleans In 1884 he settled q.
Cambridge, Mass. and there continued
his literary activity. HIS recent "o,hs
Include 'Dr. SEWER" The silent SCUM
Strange, True Stories Ct Louisiana,
"Bonaventure,,' "John March south.
erner" "strong Hearts" ny Low Hill"
THE Cavalier"
Tho last named Is his most recent
work GOOD and Is n delightful story Oh
Louisiana and Mississippi lie CURING
Tho Civil War. The Cavalier Is type OF
New orleans aristocracy. brave chlva!-
rous and honorable. The heroine is
wonderful little woman, who acts ny
turns as scout, nurse ana war coiie'
spondent, and who eventually n'arr,es
tho hero. after passing through Settles
of exciting episodes.
speaking of Mr.. Cable reminds me OF
another writer who. although born In
washington city, was the son OF Louis
ianian. I refer to Mr.. Charles Dimitry
an author who deserves to be far more
widely known and highly appreciated
than he Is, possessing as he does such
rare gifts, He was born In Washington
city in 1888, and was the son Of Professor
Alexander Dimitry, of Louisiana. me
family Is of Greek origin. rs the namo
Indicates, and we might we'll fancy that
some of the old Greek talent shone forth
in Charles Dimtry. His literary talents
are OF a commanding order. he possess
Ing unusual capacity for continuous con-
struction, ability for Imaginative color
ing, and subtle control of Its various
shades. and great powers of analysis,
especially of tho retrospective sort
In sketch of honor written In 1867. the
writer says: IF I were called on to In
dictate which Of our Southern journalists
h4d the farest prospects of ultimate high
literary success, should Fay that Charles
Dimitry was the man."
Also Northern journalist, writing of
him about the same time. says: "He
possesses literary talent of n singular and
commanding order. and should he sue
ceed In getting a commission in the liter
airy army, he will not rank less than
Brigudier-General There is nothing film
sy nor commonplace about his works"
His early tales appeared rs serials They
were equity or Not Guilty" 1861, "An-
gela's Christmas" 1sC5; 1.-THE Alderly
Tragedy" 1866; 'The House In Bnlfour,"
1869
But the gem OF all he has written ,s
lie Tombean Blanc" story that won
thousand dollar prize offered by some
Northern Journal Il Is the tale of
young Creole, high-born. wealthy. gifted
In mind and disposition and apparently
destined to the happiest fato possible for
n mortal. On the eve of his marriage
to a lovely young girl. whom he fond
ly loves his faithful old negro nurse de-
tects on his hand or arm the fatal signs
of leprosy. From that hour, all Is chang
ed. All tho ties, the joys. the interests,
the pursuits OF humanity, are closed tc
him, He becomes a Paliah dragging out
the remainder of his wretched, empty
days in whitewashed hut hence the
title lie Tombean Blanc"
The tale Is told In powerful and
pathetic manner, reminding the reader
sometimes Of Edgar Personalities of
Hawthorne. Indeed. ! know of nothing
more moving and powerful IN American
fiction than this tale unless 1t be THE
Scarlet Letter."
1t surprises mo that Dimtry has not
made a greater stir tn the world. have
lost sight OF him of late years ana 40
not know If ne is still writing, or even
IL ne Ia still alive. He was Journalist
and poet, as we'll as novelist his pest
poems are "Farewell Mamie, since
We Must Part" viva ltalia, ana
"Nho Shall Be Our Standard bearer2"
written during the Civil War.
In connection with the two gifted sons
of Louisiana mentioned above. Will In
troduce DR.. William Fl. EIolcomba resi-
dent of New Orleans. though a native
of Lynchburg, Va, whore ne was porn
in 1895. DIR. Holcombe wrote only rev
novels, but these evinced fine capabli-
ties. His most striking one was entitled,
'In Both Worlds" the hero being Laza-
rus. whom orr Lord raised from the dead.
Or. Holcombe devoted himself more large
| ~. however, to religious works from tho
standpoint OF the New Jerusalem or
| Swedenhacgwn Church
"Our Children In Heaven is the best
| known OF these works, 1t having that
! touch OF nature" and genuine parental