The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-07
THE CURSE or GENIUS.
An Unappreciated Author Whacks Maya.
zines and Civilization.

zines and CIVILIZATION,
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir When
entered the literary field ! had a faint idea
OF the kind of receptions that would be ac-
corded me, and l determined that II ! tailed
to secure an opening by a certain time
would adopt a last resort and write TO every
influential and powerful man in this country.
1 would describe the experiences | had had
trying TO reach the public through tie
periodicals.
All I ask is fair play, a square deal and
Justice. Surely ! am entitled to a little con-
sideration. 1 ask for the recognition ari
~pecuniary rewards that successful literary
effort should bring. don't ask for help, and
with even a fair division Of opportunity
would not require IL. l ask for justice with
a big j. In trying. however. for literary
honors l merely took the magazines at their
word. delivered the goods" and they one
and all refused TO respond to the call. They
vociferously shouted for genius, and | gave
II to them, or tried to. If Gays "Beggars
Opera" Is a production of genius. then my
work Is the result Of genius,
make no secret Of the fact that I bitterly
regret and lament that the lightning Of genius
ever struck me at all. If l could cleanse
myself OF the ignominy l would gladly do 50.
II any mortal in this world ever cursed and
recursed his talents l am that mortal. Fur
thermore. IL / could exchange my large meas
ure Oh Tame, 10 COmc, hlu SINAI measure OF
money, present, for the large measure Of
fame and small measure OF money that are
being dealt out TO the veriest mediocrity Of
to-day / would gladly do so. And ! am not
mercenary, either.
In the heyday of my literary apprentice
ship IL was my wont 20 entertain lofty IDEAS
OF some day welding a vigorous if not A
powerful pen in the interests OF light, truth
and justice: Of taking up the defence Of the
moor IOWlY. Ignorant. weak ana easily
tempted in the world / know so well, of max.
ing z grand attempt to direct the occasional
morality: of showing him the contentmeut
sweetness and happiness to be found only IN
much abused, largely misunderstood and
thoroughly despised class: in a word. Justice
to the criminal was to be my cause. Yes,
would try, and whether or no ] succeeded |
would at least attempt-and that would b"
something, knowing the reluctance of people
to 9eiieyemsn expose b Oh she ns erniei5g; oTin,aI,y
tions wherein / had dwelt in one capacity or
another. In short; during the days Of my
come thoroughly imbued with the noble
intention Of directing all my, energies for
humsnity. And now what a chs1Ee what a
sary for me now to bring about a Jekyll and
Hyde characterization Of my nature rs 10
dwell for a few minutes on the emptiness,
h-ollowness' barrenness and fallacy Of the
everyday world about me.
Before engaging in literary work had
newer DttH hDlC laty " ~ anu
appreciate why some men will not step, out
OF their path to save even human life, Now
know. would never believe that no form
ciatin9, could bring forth even a sigh from
ones lips or an ache from ones heart or
shock to ones soul. l believe IL now. ] am
fast becoming adamantine both ~ mind snd
body: God forbid that any other human
contact with the literary world.
When awoke g 2 complete realization OF
ceive what a widespread game of freezsout
was being played, it was with a burning sense
of having been i'll used by the very ones who
proclaim Ioudest that they are ever watchful
OF the interests Of American literature: OF
being misunderstood, unappreciated, de-
men who Judge everybody and everything
mongrel: kicked by men of infinitely less
agree is more than sufficient to prey on the
mind OF any child Of genius.
Add 20 these a consuming consctousness on
dous power OF mere money allied with blus-
tering mediocrity TO override all distlnctions
and thrust itself all bedaubed with dirt and
shining with tinsel into the hieh places Of
society and to appropriate the first seats in
the literary temple; while I a true worshipper
OF the right and beautiful. who had sought
and found truth, have often been in danger,
aye. have many times actually been rendered
begeary and starvation through lacking the
~effrontery and gall" to push people out OF
the way and shove myself forward some
non-thinkinR persons will call this business
inef1ciency," but truth DEGREES another
name for II. What wonder. then. that | be-
lieve civilization a sham, society shallow and
the men and women of the respectable or
upper world. as contradistin guished from the
world OF graft. little better than the inhab-
itAnts Of the under world. where I come from
and where honor and principle are violated
at every turn?
How could I help thinking. how could 7
possibly help thinking. of my aged parents
toiling. struggling saving and scheming,
fercely battling 10 keep the very wolf from
the door: of Pater, about to step on Pier 20,
compelled to Join the great procession every
morning. take a stand beside a bench and
labor till dusk; proud. with. a deep feeling Of
remorse and wrong in having once been an
employer and now in his old are forced u
work for Others: or Mater. sitting by the
window Of her little four room fiat knitting
till the day dawns out of the skv; patiently
waiting and listening day by day for the
postmAn's shrill whistle that announces A
letter and a remittance; listening, longinglv
watching. for the homecoming Of the son who
went forth into the world TO deliver a mes
sage 10 mankind through the medium OF the
ma gaines: praying fervently for his safe
return with recognition and appreciation ~
his abilities and talents fun upon him: with
money in his purse sufficient To drive the
wolf from the Threshold f. all time and
make the last days OF the old C0uple tim - Of
peace, quiet and thankfulness and happiness
days with no more rakinR and scraping, no
pinching and squeezing of fractional coins
In a vain endeavor to bring together two un-
n - uA--,AAh1