The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-28
WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS SAYS
THATIT IS GOOD TO BE ALONE
only Thing That Causes Him Sadness Is the Struggle of
Modern Life far Existence

George n. Lovejoy, in New York CONNER
cial Advertiser.
1t should always be regarded as rare
pleasure and honor to receive the courtesies
of a crowned head in any field of intellectual
activity, and for this reason 1 shall always
have occasion TO remember the exceedingly
enjoyable afternoon spent not long ago with
our foremost American novelist at his home
In New York I to meet w. d. Howels
by invitation. though 1 had met him in
somewhat similar way a few years ago,
when he was temporarily residing on East
Seventeenth street, not far from Union
Square.
AS Mr.. Howells on this recent occas sion
entered his library and study, looking out
upon Central Park. walking briskly. and
with the air of one much younger in years.
and advanced to meet me with outstretched
hands. I remarked. rising to greet him.
You have changed but little, Mr.. How
els. since saw you last some twelve years
ago"
-Oh, but / have changed much. it seems
TO me. You see. / am an old man, now
sixty-six years old-and can hardly be ex-
pected 10 retain the freshness of earlier
years" He took chair at my side.
II suppose you are occupied with your
work every day! L said
quite as hard a toiler as years ago, when
you first met me-" he replied. II expect
10 work as long as 1 live. l would rather
do so than rust out AS in former years, so
now. all days are alike with me, for 1 have
always made ii point to do about much
with each one, usually working about four
hours. ! obliged to exercise care. for
i am not strong. However. at the first sug-
my afternoons to outdoor recreation of a
moderate character: the rest of my time 1
devote 10 reading and social pleasure.
you continue 10 like New York; 1 re-
marked.
'Oh. yes: I regard il on the whole as the
most interesting city in the word-more
20 than even London or Paris. 1 never tire
walking its busy streets meeting its people
OF all classes and nationalites and studying
its life in all its various phases. There is a
peculiar fascination about il that appeals
strongly to the novelist and TO every one
occupied with intellectual problems Then.
too. a literary worker here is brought into
more or less intimate relations with others
OF his profession. and there is a certain
helpful A writer living I'm New York has
the advantage of nearness TO editors of the
great papers and magazines.
WRITING SHORT STORIES.
Here the short story was incidentally re-
ferred 10. Mr.. Howells remarking that the
short story had become a rare force in our
literature. adding that the art OF telling a
short story reached its highest mark its
perfection. In this country years ago I've
have become" said he "a nation Of short
story tellers. 1t is a great gift TO write a
short story"
do you think the realistic element in
fiction is as strongly marked to-day as for
merly2'' 1 asked. do we not discern a re-
action, a return TO the rCmantic?" / ven
tured the suggestion. remembering that Mr..
Howells Is a Teaiist perhaps the earliest
apostle, so 10 speak, of realism in this coun-
Try.
ION the contrary. think it is stronger. -
said he. Il believe you will find more
writer's following this method tO-day-un-
consciously. perhaps-than eyer before
AldT1ch. James. Cable Miss Jewett and
Mary K. wilkins are realists. and so are
the greater number of younger writer's.
Realism is beautiful. IL possesses a won
derful charm II anything. the poetic qual-
tty Is more marked in realism than in rO-
manticism. Indeed. the very simplicity OF
realism Is poetry. In realism there Is a dis
position 10 conform strictly TO truth and
what Is grander than truth?"
i have neglected 20 picture the man Let
me do IL. He Is of medium height per
haps under; thick set Of build: unconven-
tional but neat IN dress: loose fitting
clothes. always wearing the short sack
coat none other; round rather fat face
with wrinkles. a pleasing countenance
again and again lighted by a smile thin
gray hair, worn short, and. let me add, a