The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-08-13
The Kiss 9 Fire :
[orlEInaI.l

'WelI?"
There's no use of my trying to let
you down easy, Jimmy. may as well
tell the truth. It's only fitted to be
read by the occupants of a iunatic
asylum"
Jimmy looked as If his friend had
thrust a knife into his bosom. BE was
one OF lot of artists who Inhabited
the same rookery and every man of
them on the verge OF starvation.
At tell you what. Jim" continued the
speaker. "Tm practical fellow at bot
tom and have no business with either
art or literature. l have a scheme for
working or this stuff you've written on
a friend who is publisher. He's prac-
tical too. I'm going to see him"
'.Do you want the manuscript"
mo"
John NIelcher. the merciless friend
critic, went to the publisher and made
a proposition which induced him to
publish THE Kiss of Fire" Melcher
was to take charge of the Introduction
of the book to the public In his own
way. He relied implicitly on the mem
bers of his gang. who We're to act as a
claque under his direction. Hardly had
the book been. issued when all of
them, having been coached by Mel
cher, went in different directions.
Each stopped upon passing stand
or store where books are sold and ask
ed for "The Kiss of Fire When told
that they had no copy of the book the
inquirer would he struck dumb with
amazement and hurry away Before
nightfan of the first day there had
been from half n dozen to dozen
inquiries for the novel in every book
shop in the city. MIelcher had instruct
ed his band to work the trumpeting
and the Inquiries among the book
sellers WITT equal zeal. well knowing
that to make Il market" without pro-
viding a supply would he useless.
The booksellers gave small orders
for the book. and occasionally some
one to whom the gnng sounded its
praises bought one Meanwhile MeIcher
was not idle He pursuatled friend.
OlcOtt, who was the leader of literary
club, 10 res d the story. The readers
report upon It was. For idiots. fools
and lunatics. the most remarkable
work of the century" Melcher went
about telling all book lovers that OIL
colt had pronounced The Kiss Of
Fire" the most remarkable work OF
the century. failing to mention for
what class Of readers. Before Olcott
heard of his criticism and had cor
rected it n number of people who were
ambitious Of being up in the literature
of the day had read the novel. None
of them couId understand WIN, n WIS
remarkable, but since OIcott said so
none of them dared say It was not
One independent fellow pronounced IT
.'rot." but the best .srot" he had ever
read. All young girls entering society
hearing of the commotion It was Great.
ing and assuming for that reason the
book must be a model of literary ex-
cellence. pronounced it ..perfectly love
w." Then 1t was announced ms ..tbe
best seller OF tho yyeel;
Checks began to core IN fior, t,s
publisher. They were sent n Nre'cber
who apportioned thor, bet-,,ran .so ~.
thor and his gang Tins epcorr,.,c;
the cladae worked on. But further ~.
fort wgis rot necessary f-,e flomn I,.,1
been l;inCled. ard IF ~. H.. ',,l MI,
thea in an attemn- 49,,
could not hive doe - $50. -.
till the fuel was o-..,...,s,- -, .,....
les ,bu.,,.i the book. in-ei..,,;ng ,,..,,i...
the decline Of literary taste r,,t t.,s.
were not Needed Ever. one roa1 ma
talked about "The kiss Of iriro :" ,,,h ,,
suddenly. Mt the end or tl,raa months
the babel ceaseA F,varvbod,, 10, road
the book ana was readv Foy tha 49,
wonder
About This t,rre rho I,toror o,,,.o :.
a prominent magozine FeI, ~ go D.
Hathaway nm nndarst,o nv. ano DEL ton
care Of the hooks to ho raI,io,r 80 49, "A
pened ON ..rbc 1xis. ~ Eira :. 1ye . nap
n nnd xros Iolto,,to1 -, g :. ieau
tered h,s head 70 ~, Nc -, a. :. e.
ing n critIcisn, IN 4 IT, 'ti a. w" VIZ,