The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-13
ne Worran's Page of The Tiimes-Dispatch
Books and Business

ness VIII say frankly that no does not
read books. except those that relate
to his special business interests. He
mas neither time nor taste for litera-
lure as literature, and has a small
opinion OF It's practical and business
value.
The Bookman magazine of the pres
ant month publishes the list of books
that are best sellers throughout the
country. Four out OF the six of these
pest sellers, arc written by Rich
monders. and three out of the four
by Richmond women-Mary Johnston
Kate Langley Bosher and Ellen Glas-
gov.
Now. II Is absolutely true that these
books and others like them have had
as much or more to do with enlarg-
Ing the business interests of this
state, this city and the entire South
by drawing tho attention OF the out
side world to this section OF tho coun-
try, by awakening an interest in it's
history. Its resources and its people,
as any other business enterprises that
can be mentioned.
Richmond woman who has Justhre-
surned from London. England, rays
that on every hand in tho English
metropolis people were reading The
Long Roll" Miss Gibbie Gault" THE
Miller OF Old Church" or "Queed.'1
n OuSlHtSS IlHn Always mas n cor
rect Idea of the value of good asdver-
tisement But an advertisement may
be read and quickly forgotten. Not
go with Il book whose descriptions of
places and people remain indelibly
stamped upon the mind. And again,
what advertisements have been writ
ten or VIII be written. that VIII carry
the name OF tho state and OF Rich
mond and Yorktown or williamsburg.
TO the knowledge OF people In every
part of the United States as we'll
in other countries like the books that
have been mentioned Will do?
Instead OF ostensibly building a wall
OF separation, then. between the busi-
ness world and the writer's of !itera-
turc. the clever men at the head OF
important organizations should recog-
nize the very close and intimate rela-
tionship between books that are good
books OF their kind and business. and
should acknowledge an obligation
owed accordingly.
While Richmond as a city. was
founded BY n literary man. William
Byrd. OF Westover. ono OF the most
accomplished and graceful writer's OF
his day. while It has In reality always
been g. literary centre. 1t has never
been more truly famous than now.
Its women have not only done more
than the business world possibly could
OF their native state and town abroad
throughout the land, but they them
eelves representatives. of Richmond
and the Old Dominion. are acknowl-
edged literary leaders throughout the
country. women in whose personality
every ono Is interested. women TO the
power of whose intellect every one Is
glad to pay homage sincere.
Books like THE Long Roll" Miss
Gibbie Gault." "Queed" and "The
Miller OF Old Church" may be reck-
oned as among the best assets OF the
civic and municipal community In
which they originate. They viii do
more IN a year to bring that commu-
nifty into prominence than could be
effected by years of ordinary business
industry and effort.
Premium on Honesty.
Tho following story was used by
John Mitchell TO illustrate unfair
methods in use at the mines for weigh
ing coal. Mr. Mitchell said:
a simple minded old lady ran
grocery store In Scranton. Pa. A man
came In one day and asked for a
pound Of bacon. The old lady cut off
generous chunk. and then, going to
weigh IT, found that she had mislaid
her pound weight
Dear me-" she said, IT can't md
my pound weight anywhere"
The man, seeing there was about
two pounds OF bacon cut off. answered
hastily: Never mind. my fist weighs
pound" And he put the bacon on
one side of the scales and his fist on
the other. The two. OF course, Just
balanced.
at looks kind o large for pound
ion't IT." asked the old lady as she
wrapped the bacon up. 1T does look
large" said the man. as he tucked the
meat under his arm. still -"
But just then the old lady found her
pound weight. "Ah' she said in a
relieved voice. now We can prove this
business. Put the bacon on here
again"
But the man wisely RETAINED from
putting the bacon on the scales to be
tested. He put his hrst on again in
stead And his first Just balanced the
pleased. We'll done" she said. ''arA
here's n couple o. red herrin' for ye
skill and honesty"
Oupid's Portrait.
All women will be glad to reread
the description OF Cupid az given by
his mother Venus. according to
Charles Johnston. who, in writing OF
the humor of the Greeks. introduces
tho following pen picture. in which
ahe mother says:
Tho child is most notable. thou
couldst tell him among twenty to-
gether; his skin is not white. but
flame -colored. his eyes keen and burn
ing An evil spirit and sweet
tongue has he. for his speech and his
tongue are al variance.
Like honey Is his voice. but his
heart of gall. All tameless is he and