The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-16


living writers. the French included.
In the realm of the short story our
men and women are unrivalled or
thus il seems TO this present reader.
Madame Delphine" and POISON
lone" have never been surpassed by
any of Cables later and longer stories.
"Meh Lady and Mars Chan" are ST.
perior to Mr.. Pages nOvels-as for the
matter of that what novels are not
inferior to these charming tales?
For richness of humor and the adj
mirable skill of the raconteur on his
native heath where can We find d bet
ar illustration than Richard Malcolm
Johnston's self Protection of Mr..
Littleberry Roach" or II. 5. Edwards
Two Runaways both tales or
Georgia?
Even considering the stories of men
sho have made no specially of the
short tale one finds that many of them
have won their reputation by what is
really not the regulation novel as TO
length.
Mr.. Howells has written no pleas
anter thing than THE Lady of the
Arostook. while Henry James is most
widely known as the author of Daisy
Miller"
What shall We say of Frank Stock
tons extravaganzas? The Lady or
the Tiger? A Tale of Negative Ora
lily" and so forth? His dron fancies
are especially suited 10 the short story
form.
Coming down 10 a later day, we find
Dr. Van Dykes collection of tales in
the Blue Flower as charming bits of
literature as one might discover after
/ wide search.
Among the short story writers OF
America, the women are holding their
own, if one may be allowed so homely
a phrase. Pick up the popular maya
zines and YOU are likely 10 find than Il
good percentage OF the story writer's
are women. SO of the first class
periodicals,-you see women we'll to
the front, sometimes with a dramatic
incident so deity handled that you are
absorbed and delighted. But at other
times you are tempted 10 grudge the
fine skill used because it works out
50 Ditiful an ending.
Some time ago Miss wilkins had a
most pathetic little tale in one of the
leading magazines. II was just that
sort that makes you feel the utter flu
iility Of life. the helDlessness of a
struggle against Fate.
Mr.. Addison somewhere quotes
French novelist as saying: at was
y
which Englishmen hang and drown
themselves" one is inclined TO feel
that after reading Miss Wilkins's
New England Poetess." the occasion
IS exactly suited to thoughts OF self
destrue ton, especially If the reader
should chance to live in so chef!lesS Il
So zion as that inhabited by the
Poetcss.
Is it necessary to the perfection OF
short story that ii be humorous or
else pitiable in its tragicness?
1t would seem that writer's too often
fail TO strike the golden mean. Not
that one objects To humor. Thank
God for the gift in others and the
grace to appreciate il. if one be so
lucky, But we have too few tales
that are simply restful.
Before me are some of the late
Harper's. OF course the monthly ma
gazine is meant. The South is true 20
Harper's monthly. and we may be
glad of the fact for no one of the new
periodicals is so steadfast i'm its adher-
ence TO what is true and pure and al
together worthy in literature.
Here in the April number is a shorc
story, THE Spirit of Partnership" 1t
is from the pen of a woman. Abby
Mcguire Roach. / read it and then
wonder why any one should use her
skill on n story of that sort.
1t is we'll written. That goes with
out saving. There is none of the ierki-
ness which characterizes much of the
writing in the popular magazines
There is about it that nameless some
thing which marks the difference be-
tween literature and journalistic work
but again the question arises. WHY
should such thing be written ?' Why
this laying bare woman's heart
where is not even the dignity of love
for her husband? And you feel as If
you might have a liking for the inca
pable husband largely because the wo-
man so fails i'm fine feeling for him ard
his struggle. But at best il is not q
cheerful tale and if you are seeking
refreshment of mind you need TO go
elsewhere.
In the May number of the same
magazine l single out another story by
4 woman Musicians Of the Word II
is fine, fine and Yet it, too, is sad Still
one may pardon its ending. There IS
something redeeming i'm that, and as
for the telling of the story there is IN
the Workmanship the perfection of the
canoes finish. Nor is the tale with
out its moral i'm that it shows the
danger that mental drudgery brings
TO the outfiowing spirit of poetry.
When we read work of this kind
work in which consummate skill is
the noticeable thing-and compose il
with the terSe. journalistic STYLE that
obtains in so many Of the stories of
today, we wonder what the outcome.
win be
Well, the conservative leaders of
literature. the editors and publishers
of that class. gradually die out. and
be followed by the men who Law their
hands on the public pulse and imagine
what that public would most relish.
and never ask what food would be best