The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-02-22
WITH THE AUTHORS.
How Successful Eovelista S1SHes
Their Money-A George AIDE stoFss
Especial Correspondence


New York, Feb. Is. - To be youHg.
charming in person and successful in
letters-what more is needed to arouse
public interest? Having specialized as
to the amounts which popular young
authoresses earn by their pen work. the
next questions which the average per-
! eon asks are: what do thny do with
1t? How do they spend it," Miss John
ston, you know, is building a mugnifi-
cent home in Richmond. Halle Err
mimic Rives has been travelling abroad.
Now comes news of Miss Bertha Run
kle. whose first book, The Helmet of
Navarre,' has brought her 4 small for
tune.
Miss Runkle is spending the winter
in California. but early in the spring
she plans to go to Japan for long rest
She is not writing at present, although
she has we'll under way another histor-
ical romance of an earlier period rlan
THE Helmet of Navarrn'
u got to a point where my story
seemed dead; o was just writing words.
words, words,' said Miss Runkle re-
Gently, land so 4put it away and will
not take it up again until I'D am quite
rested
The truth is THAI Miss HunkIe is not
even yet over her surprise at the i'm
mediate success of her story. She has
a naive modesty about her accomplish
ment and is not quite positive about
the way in which she came into her
own.
The actual preparation eliss 0unkle
had for her career must be of interest
to those who have theories as to the
best kind of education for girl. and
particularly for those who show de-
cided bent. She never attended college,
Her instruction was in private school
in New York, and when within some
two years Of finishing the course, which
was practically such a one as is given
in high school, Miss Runkle's health
gave way and she was taken out After
a rest, instruction at home in English
and history and almost anything but
mathematics followed. This gave the
very best opportunities for reading.
Il was always browsing in the libra
ries. and did exactly the kind of work
that pleased me-" said Miss Runkle.
Miss Runkle is tall. above the aver
age. She is most interesting type of /
American girl. and her manners are of
the cheerful sort, cordial, with just an
attractive shyness. She is rosy checked !
and bright eyed.
Miss Runkle has but twenty years |
should be able to do valuable work in
American fiction, for she does not seem
spoiled by excessive praise" as some
Of her friendly critics feared that she
might be. She has at least been wise
enough not TO rush another book on
the public On the strength of her sue
cess.
George AIDE, the Hoosier Esop, is a
product Of kentland, Ind. He has a
past. Most Of us have. In kentland.
which is rural town. the most they
can say Of AIDE is that he was the best
story teller in the place and a fairly
good held hand.
It is matter Of history in and about
Kentland that AIDE as a slim limbed
used to work on farm and
that his speciality was cutting bands
On a thrashing machine" He likewise
was considered an expert at blowing
corn. An experience he had while en-
Gagged in this capacity came near de-
priving the world of one humorist.
AIDE had hired himself out to farmer
during the corn blowing season. aud
he was delighted with his position be-
cause. as he then declared, the farmer
was such considerable man he allowed