The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-20

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( some Of his best stories in the midst
OF the preparation OF dry legal docu-
nentS He was made a doctor of laws
by Yale College in 1901. ana ne has
received several degrees as doctor OF
literature.
have known Mr.. Page for years.
and have had many chats with him
about his literary methods and literary
work. He does not like TO discuss
such things for publication. and it has
been only by asking many questions
that am able to give YOU the in
formation contained in this letter.
There is nothing OF the literary ego
fist about him. and as to his own
writings he is as Backward and BASH
full as any girl in his stories.
My last call upon him was jus, aftor
ne had been chosen as our ambassa-
dor 10 Rome He lives. YOU know
here at the capital Iiie, home is o
reproduction OF the ideal Southern
mansion Of the old time plantation
II j. built or the same rough brick
IN the days Of the Cavaliers 1t has
the roof balustradr and quaint dormer
windows OF Colonial days and it's
broad entrance porch and oldfash
ioned doorway are among the artistic
features Of the capital city
Entering the house. YOU come into a
wide hall hung with paintings, ctch-
inSs and enEravinGs. each Of which
has Is story. An easy flight OF stairs
leads % the second noor. where is the
library. room as big as tho hall of a
Colonial church This IS walled with
rare editions of the classics and Of
history and fiction in beautiful bind
inGs. The cases are OF cedar, and
they extend from tho floor almost to
the ceiling. The furniture is old ma
hogany. beautifully inlaid There are
soft divans and easy-chairs and all
the SURROUNDINGS Of the dilettantc book
lover and cultured, easy going soul
rs YOU look about you. you see no
signs OF work. and the average caller
or visitor leaves without imagining
that such ;hing as work is connect
ed With Mr. Pages life.
/, is differon; in tho real workshop
This Is two stories higher, u little room
which is almost under the roof. Here
the books are Of many kinds and
most OF Them are in ordinary bind
iues There are scores Of old biog-
raphiee, odd volumes Of history and
historical collections. shelves filled
with Americana. and volume after vol
umc Of Biographies and stories relat-
ing to the old south There are ref
thumhcd bible or so and fall equip
ment for literary labor.
The easy chairs and luxurious fur
niture OF tho library below are absent
NJ ono side is typewriter. at which
MIR. Pages secretary sits. and In the
centre of the room is hat-topped
desk such as you can buy anywhere
for $50 OF $40, and a plain Office chair.
Tho desk is covered with proofs.
manuscripts and papers. y half dozen
pencils lie within easy reach OF the
chair, and beside them are several quill
pens. made from eagles feathers. The
only casy-chair in the room Is one
with an old -fas h toned wooden frame.
covered with a wide sheet of leather. SO
arranged that a screw at the top MAX rs
il tight OF loose. enabling one TO rest
his back rs he sits. The framework
of the chair is Of black walnut and it
is wonderfully comfortable II was
made Tor Henry Clay, and was used
hy him while he was in Washington
i After Clay died 1t came into the hands
of Ainsworth Il. Spofford. the librarian,
and then TO Mr. Page.
AS | looked at this chair, I asked Mr..
rage something rs TO the other furni-
tuie and found that much of it had
historic memories.
This camp chest" said he, as he
=.
was carried by my father throughout
the whole civil War. and here" pick -
ing up u great steel biz. which hung at
It's side is the bride bit with which
he rode through all his campaigns He
got the bit at the first battle of Bull
Run, taking ii from the horse OF Il
Yankee, ana making it serve for the
South"
Turning to the other end OF the room.
! asked Mr.. Page as TO the filing which
surrounded the fireplace. 1t looks like
the electro plates Of some manuscript"
said l.
And that is just what it is" was the
reply. Those plates meant great
deal to me when The books from which
they were printed appeared They are
the clectros OF my FIRST stories. The
pages on this side are from MarSe
Cham and those on top are Meh Lady.
while here NJ the left are some from
In ole Virginia. and the Two Little
Confcdcrates.
here asked Mr Page when he be
Kan to write ana whether il had been
easy TO get his stuff" published
las Il my FIRST writing, cannot
remember when did not want to
write ] made UP stories in my head
when was a boy and wrote them ou'
upon states when We were too poor
TO afford the paper and pencils
J iN'bt OH Writing ~ SCupol ana al col
lego, where my short essays in tho
/ paper gave me the nickname OF III,
IS hort Article Editor" | sent some
things at the CoHricrJournal Will,
was tutor near Louisville, Ky. hut
they were not accepted. and the sam,
is trpe of many OF the first things
sent to the magazines"
What was Your first real story
don't know what you mean by
real" said Mr. Page but tho nrst
( thine Of any merit which can re.
/ member was sketch entitled a Sol
dier OF me fmpirc This was writ