The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-21
TRIP TO Topeka.
e. w. Howe Writes of 1t in
AtchisOn Globe.
Read the Play and Picked the
Players.
MARK TWAIN'SL LETTER
Urging Decentralization ''StOry
OF a Country Town.
big Adam" and His Cork Pull
ing Feat.
MARK TWAIN'SLETTER

Here is something interesting about
E. w Howe's trip to Topeka in con-
nection with the first production, Janu-
airy goth, of his drama, '"rhe Story of
a Country Town" The article is signed
e. w. Howe (retired)" and is several
times longer than the extracts here
given, including many other topics,
treated in the authors individual
trip, and entitled "Ccnfessions of a
Lonesome Nam; but taking care to
say: Il am more content than 1 have
| been for many years; than 1 ever was
before, I believe. If those who have
known me intimately could see me
now, they wouldn't know me. I am
SO much better natured; feel so much
better"
| The portions printed below may ap-
pear to the reader decidedly personal,
and they are, but they are not as per-
Sonal as portions omitted:
| Mr.. Howe says:
A week from tomorrow night, my
new play will be presented in Topeka.
The performance will be complete in
every particular, except the audience
1t will be the trial performance for the
author. l shall sit alone in the body
| of the theater; except that Adelaide
will sit beside me. and hold my hand
| for we are much interested in the play,
| having worked on it SO much, and so
late. q came home a few weeks ago,
and found that Adelaide, the farmers
daughter. had picked up the use of
| the typewriter during my long abb
sences down town. so she has been
| helping copy the play.) Near US will
sit Frank MacLennan and his family
of whom we are fond. There will be
but one other person in the auditor
ium; a man SO grouchy that he sits
alone. 1t will be J. E. House. And if
the play is bad, let him tear it to
pieces in his famous way. 1 shall pay
| attention to what the old Crouch says
hoo -. g l. L.
to tell the truth; he is as anxious to
find a good thing as bad thing; more
anxious, 1 really believe
Some people may ask, What's in a
play? Suppose old Ed Howe makes
one: What's in it?'' There's millions
in it. If the play is success, it will
bring me every night, eight months in
the year, royalties amounting to any
| where from eight or nine dollars to
| three or four hundred. When 1 go to
! bed at the bungalow at $50 Gin case
the play strikes) I will haze the salts
faction of knowing that the actors are
working for me; play works While
| you sleep.
Suppose that last summer, when I'm
Gle Bruce ran out of radishes, just as
the demand was really brisk. he had
discovered a big patch he had planted
and forgotten. His luck. under such
| circumstances, would have been some
thing like mine will be should the play
make hit.
At Topeka. read the play to sport
North, Harry North, and Robert Blay-
lock- of the North Bros. Stock COM
pany. I shall long admire Mr.. Harry
North because of the interest he took
in the reading. Mr.. Sport North was
attentive, but didn't seem to be as mu> q
pleased as his brother. Mr.. Blaylock
was also quiet. but attentive. The read
ing took place in Frank MacLennan s
private office. in the State Journal
building. Mrs. MacLennan, and her
daughter, Mary, and her daughter
Mary's friend, Miss Constance Pember
| of GAINESVILLE. Wis. were present, also,
but they came a little late; women are
always late. Mr.. MacLennan was pres
ent, but slipped out on tiptoe occasion
| ally; too many times, / thought, con-
sidering how long I have been his
friend and admirer. He should have
been spellbound; too much interested
to slip out to attend to his duties on
| the Journal. Miss Pember expressed a
hope that she might be able to see
the play at her home in GAINESVILLE, Wis
In answer to my question, Miss Penn
| Der said GAINESVILLE had q population
of 5000. Miss Pember will be COMPEL
ed to go to Chicago to see the play;
GAINESVILLE is too small
Then we all went to lunch, at the
National hotel. We had a private
dining room: rather high life for AIDE
laide, the farmers daughter. But SHE
seemed equal to it, although a year
ago last summer she was punching
radishes at Potato Hill farm, for hel
Woodworking father. That was before
l fell heir to her. / thought Adelaide
was as we'll dressed, and looked as wei
generally, as any girl / saw IN Topeka
The dress she wore was made by Mrs
Foley. and that's the best you can DE-
in Atchison. 1 told Mrs. Foley to d.