Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-14
STORIES OF EDNA LYALL.
Childhood Incidents That Specially
Influenced the Novelist.

l1uuenCea inc NONCAlSls
Some years ago the late Edna LyaII,
the noted novelist, writing for the La
dies Home Journal about the influ-
ences which in early life did most to
fit her for future work, said:
81 must mention two which were
specially powerful. The first was the
opportunity of hearing good standard
books read My father was very
good reader, and we enjoyed nothing
better than hearing him read the Wa
verley novels.
1.-THE other influence, for which
daily feel thankful, and without which
it would have been impossible for me
to publish we Two at a time when
the controversy over Mr.. Bradlaugh
and the parliamentary oath was still
raging, or to publish 'Doreen' while
home rulers are regarded as disloya'
separatists, was of a different kim,
and it came from my mother.
Undoubtedly 1 was born a coward.
My mother, by infinite patience ana
gentle encouragement, taught me TO
fight my fears. One OF my greatest
terrors was an old street fiddler with
hideously crooked legs and deformed
feet. He used to prop himself up on
two sticks and play melancholy, tune
less music, which in itself was grew
some. My mother taught me first to
pity him, then a penny was given TO
me and, though never ordered to take
it to him, it was suggested to me that
he was a very poor old man. l can re-
member now running desperately across
the road and thrusting the coin into
his hand, then, finding that after all ne
was not so dreadful, and finally, as
time went on, learning to take an inter
est in his visits to our street.
There was, however. n worse terror
still to be faced-the terror of wicked
ness. Coming into my room one even
ing about 10 o'clock, my mother found
me wide awake staring in panic strick-
en- fascination at a cupboard opposite
the bed. Sobbing and shivering, told
her my story. 1 had heard the others
say that while out of doors that after
noon a beggar woman had followed
them for long way begging and pro-
testing. At last my aunt had said to
her, 4 think you had better go away
and the beggar had angrily retorted, I
hope the Almighty will say so to you
at the day of Judgment This cruel
wish seemed to me the most horrible
and heartless thing 1 had ever heard.
The beggar must surely be a sort OF
monster of wickedness. If she could
wish God to send US to hell, she was
capable of anything, and the more 1
looked at the half open cupboard the
more certain 1 became that this wick
ed beggar, with a heart full of hatred,
was inside it and waiting an oppor-
tunity to murder US. With many conf
fortinS assuFaBces / was led -to~tAaf
dreadful half open door, and we shook
every dress in the cupboard and look
ed high and low, and my fears We're
conquered by the truth. Now said
my mother, L am going to give you Il
motto. 1t is just this: Take the bull
by the horns" Whatever it is that
you are afraid of, make yourself walk
straight up to it
SCI should be ashamed to confess how
many ghosts have had TO lay in this
fashion, but the habit taught in child
hood was of great service when the
time came for facing the specters OF
the mind and without it Donovan
would never have seen the light"