Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-02-03
"A Nestor
OF Criticism
By LOUISE 3. CUMMINGS

The woman's club OF Medbury was
divided into departments Of art, sci
ences, music and other subjects, and
for each department night was set
apart. One evening when the depart
ment OF literature met for chat on 1T
erary subjects 1t was announced be-
forehand that Miss Emma Alden
Hinckley. a celebrated litterateur. would
be present. Miss Hinckley had not
written very much herself, but her
opinion on books was looked upon as
Anal.
During the evening a girl Of nine
teen, sitting In a corner where she
would run no risk Of being run down
by the intellectual autos that were
flashing their lights hither and thither.
seemed. to take juvenile pleasure in
observing them.
Nellie" said lady, stepping up to
her, "what are you doing In this cor
ner? You should be making hay while
the sun shines. know you are scrib-
bling, and there are persons here who
can give You points that will doubtless
help you. Come; l wish to introduce
you to Miss Hinckley."
The girl looked as though she would
rather miss the opportunity than leave
her corner. but was. nevertheless.
dragged out Of 1t and presented to
the .Iioness Of the evening.
This Is Miss Ellen Acton" said the
introducer. "She Is beginning to scrib-
BILE a little. and / am quite sure you
can give her a few valuable. points on
how to proceed"
Miss Hinckley looked a bit fright
ened. She could be very decided with
young authors in her office as editor
In chief of the - Magazine, but she
didn't like to tackle one of them In
q social way. However, she resigned
herself to an ordeal.
II should like to ask you one or two
questions. Miss Hinckley... said Miss
Acton. after which l will not trespass
on your good nature further. Do you
think I'm old enough to write novel?
I'm nineteen" =
mo. you are not. There has been
but one successful novel ever written
by a young girl"
"Have you read novel recently
published called An Unfortunate Blum
der?'"
II have skinned it In order to make
mention OF 1t In our book notices"
"What do you think Of itT,
1T is worthless"
THANK you. I'll not trouble you any
further
Miss Acton skunk back to her corner.
giving place to several ladies who ad-
vanced to do honor to the literary light.
Women's club of Medbury. 1t Is CIV
en- for the authoress Of a novel which
appeared year ago and has slowly
been making its way into public favor.
1t was published under an assumed
name. There were many faults In Its
construction, but there was something
In 1t that held the readers attention
not written for any particular class.
| Persons Of acknowledged literary taste
| approved and condemned it. 1t was
J read by both the old and the young.
Those who liked it could not see why
others did not like 1t. Those who con-
demned 1t said that those who ap-
proved It were devoid Of literary taste.
When Miss Hinckley received an In
vitation to be present to do honor to
the new literary light she threw the
Invitation into the wastebasket. Then
she fished 1t out and noted the date.
| She was curious to see the authoress
who had fooled persons Of good lit
erary taste with worthless book. She
would attend the reception.
When Miss Hinckley entered the club
she saw a promiscuons gathering of
men and women. She looked about for
a group within which would be the
lioness of the evening. Not seeing her.
she applied to member<of the club
TO learn where she was.
"Oh. we can't do anything with her
1t was intended that she should receive
the guests with the reception commit
tee, but she's gone into obscurity. and
we can't get her out. I will be pleased
to take you to her.
Miss Hinckley was led to the very
corner from which a year before little
Miss Acton had been dragged to be In
troduced to her. and there sat Miss
Acton between two large women.
whom she was using for screen pur-
poses.
'Great heavens exclaimed Miss
Hinckley.
At the. same moment an old gentle
man with fine white hair advanced to
greet the young authoress.
~Mr. Barrows." said Miss Hinckley.
"a year ago told this young lady that
she was too young to write a novel.