Evening star., 1914-08-16
but l never heard of the author before.

but nsver heard OF the author before. Did
you? -
ASSISTANT: No. Shall send it back9
MAGAZINE EDITOR: Oh. no. Put it away
until he becomes famous.
An old countryman living near Thomas
Hardy thus gave his opinion of the great
English novelist:
say it's gift. Seems to me it's just written,
just sittin' down an written, an not doen
nothen' at arl. What do e do? ask 'ee. Here
be dozen more proper work than Hardy ever
did. an they don't tark about /, an say
There's great chap, like they do about e.
From the untutored rustic one might ex-
pect such lack of appreciation; but from
neither friend nor kindred does the slave of |
Grub Street meet sympathy.
Il am troubled with insomnia" complains
the author AT night lie awake hour after
hour thinking about my literary work.
And his friend chortles. with ghoulish glee.
why not get up and read part of it"
But the ct tn Brute of such stories is one
related by Elliot Flower. A guileless author
presented friend his latest book of humor,
to take with him on the train, explaining,
Al am giving it on an advertising basis. Just
laugh and chuckle over it while you are
reading and hold it SO that other people can
see the title. That's the best kind of adver-
tising book can have
From the next station came back the
heartless dispatch:
DEAR X.-I don't want the book on the
terms quoted
The authors first aspirations are prone to
be cruelty blighted. @Going to write for
money after you graduate, hey!" rasps the
stern parent. well, you ought to be sue
cessful. That's all you've done the four
81 +l,ok
Even the tender heart of childhood does
not spare him..
little daughter of celebrated historian, @no
haven't read any of your books yet. | will
by and by, when I'm older; but now only
like books that are interesting"
What wonder that the author himself
sometimes grows discouraged Alfred Noyes
is poet of joy and radiance; but he pro-
vides this bit of plaintive autobiography:
Il asked the maid at my lodging this morn
ing what had become of the paper l left lying
was waste paper and l threw it in the waste
paper basket. NO l said, it wasn't waste
paper. l hadn't written anything on it yet. :"
To the discerning, however, there are not
wanting signs that the worm has turned, or
is turning, and that the world-sweeping
spirit of revolt and independence has reached
even Grub Street. Here, for instance
speaks self respect:
I'VE won't print any such stuff that"
said the editor loftily, as he handed back the
manuscript.
well. you needn't be SO naughty about it ;"
retorted the irregular contributor, You're
not the only one who won't print it.
Charles F. Lummis suggests submitting a
contribution with the dignified comment:
THE author regrets that this manuscript is
not compulsory: it is merely an opportunity"
More searching in its implications is the
retort of the late o. Henry. He had prom
ised to write story for an editorial task
master; but, after many requests. it failed
to arrive. Finally the editor brutally wrote
him, @If don't have that story within twen-
ty-four hours, will come up and kick you
downstairs" The promptly sent answer
was: @DEAR Bluff | did my work with
my feet, I'd keep my promises too
The love of liberty would seem to burn
unquenchably in this family. 1t was an
other Henry-Patrick, if we mistake not
who bearded another tyrant, and in both
cases concerted action followed. Life has
promulgated what may be hailed as Grub
Streets Declaration of Independence. 1t
al. of taJ ,irc,,1or 70 no