The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-03
EMMY LOU"


VI u tnC ShuE
icIe Came to BE Written.
London Academy.
One of the most popular books OF the
day, and one which has had a wide maya
zine circulation throughout Great Britain
and the United States. had a beginning
which speaks as much for the heart and
mind of a prominent American publisher as
for the industry and literary instinct of
the author. The latter, a girl then just in
her twenties, wrote some stories of child
life. They were sent to various American
publishers OF juvenile periodicals, but in
most cases came back. declined with
thanks. Being young and persistent, the
writer continued to work a little on each
manuscript as it came back. condensing.
polishing and occasionally adding slightly
to the text. Eventually her brother. also
a writer, induced her to submit one Of the
sketches to a very great New York pub
Usher. She felt abashed at the seeming
audacity of such a thing, so was not at
all surprised at the return of her precious
packet, but inside was something which
did surprise her-a personl note from the
great man himself. in which he offered
sound advice on the treatment of her sub
JtCl, dShcQ ne W fcWillc lhS Stois ohO
then let him see II. The week that fol-
lowed was one of hard but enthusiastic
work for the happy girl, after which the
manuscript was again started on its long
journey to New York. Then came a long
period OF waiting, to be relieved one day by
a curt note inclosing a most astonishing
check, with q request for the author TO call
upon the editor whenever she went to New
York.
In the mainline a few others of her
short stories had been accepted by editors
OF small children's periodicals. whose rate
of pay was even smaller in proportion than
their periodicals. She worked on with a
feeling that success was now certain. But
doctors orders for a rest and a change or
air to New York. The sea was there and
the change, and also-the editor.
So il happened that a very sweet but
| somewhat pale and frightened young
lady waited with ~quickened pulse at the
great editorial door, having sent in her
card to the man who judged the great
and the small. Some one told her to enter
the sanctum.
AT first she hardly dared look at the
man who rose to greet her; then a kindly
voice said something, there was a cordial
grip of the hand and the author OF Emmy
Lou" found herself seated before one who
seemed such an old friend that in a moment
later in describing the event, without even
having time to wonder what had become
of her embarrassment. Little by little he
drew out her story, all but the illness. which
she did not mention. AT the end she averred
that she now felt equal to the most strenu-
Gus endeavors, and impaired TO the editor
the glad news that quite lately she had
received fiatterfng offers from the juvenile
journals. The editor smiled
Write them at once" he said-almos1
commanded-"and say that you are sorry,
but that for the moment you are unable &c
accept their kind offers"
"Bu-but." she interrupted.
mo butts about it, young woman; you are
In no state of health for hard work. 1 wan
YOU to come to INV home to dinner to
night and meet my wife. After that We vii
talk about where you are going for a gooS
rest. You are worn out and your nerves
are unstrung. When the time comes yol
shall continue to tell us about Emmy Lou,
and l will publish the stories in my maya
zine. After that we will publish your worl
in book form. You have a story to tell
the kline that is wanted, and we canno
afford to have you exhausting your healtl
and your time in foolish bypaths."
So George Madden Martin made her rea
start i'm the work on which she had Sc
her heart, at the same time forming al
opinion of editors and publishers quite diff
ferent from that of so many who star
wrong or who happen upon the wrong
reader.
The schoolgirl tales were written from
her own experiences-the simple annals o
a child's studies; the teachers she like
and the teachers she did not like; the NAL
superintendent of school who loved tn
incompetent teacher; the girls who forme
little cliques and were exclusive in thei
baby way; the aunt who tried to be sever
to her. and the uncle who spoiled her. Il,
the time she had reached an age when he
skirts came to her shoe tops and her hal
was sedately plated and hung down he
back, the author Thought her chronicle
were finished, bat the public demande
more. She had not attended high schoo
but her sister, now also a writer, had. S
the stories were continued, only this tim
they were built up by virtue of a com
plete and sympathetic understanding @
another.