The Washington herald., 1915-02-11
Booth Harrington.

LOONu III NH ION, NlOSe ne" novel,
The Turmoil CHarper and BrothersJ. is
published today. is proud of the fact
that he is a native of Indiana. Born In
Indianapolis in 1859. he still makes that
city his home
His literary career which seemed to
begin so prOmisingly. when his stories
and sketches were eagerly welcomed for
the columns Of college publications at
Princeton, did not look SO bright when
he began to knock at the doors Of regu-
lar periodicals. He himself relates how
he wrote for five Years before he had a
single manuscript accepted. During this
time his earnings were just So. OF which
the major portion came from a relative
for services rendered." sd for the sale
Of a drawing. another small sum for
two prize essays. and the rest, concludes
Mr.. Harrington with pride was earned
by shovelIng snow for the nelghbors''
In spite of this lack OF encouragement.
Mr.. Harrington continued to write, and
at last came into his own Monsieur
Beaucaire'' was one of the most talked
OF books in its day; THE Man from
Home" written in collaboration with
Harry Leon Wilson. is still a dramatic
favorite. His novel, The Conquest OF
Canaan" like The Turmoil" made its
first appearance as a serial in Harpers
Magazine; Cherry and "BeasIey's
Christmas Party show the author in his
brightest mood. and Beauty and Jaco-
bin is a drama of the French Revolu-
! tion, written in so clean, yet graceful a
style. that Gallo confrere might be
glad to claim it as his work.
Mr.. Tarkington's novels do not drop
ready made from his pen They are
plotted and planned. cut. reftted. until
he is satisfied. ''Rewrite?" he exclaimed
when he was questioned on this point
"Rewrite-why l don't seem to do any
thing else. First. l write a chapter as
well as l can, then / go over it sentence
by sentence. in a vain attempt 10 get the
necessary words. To find just the right
phrase for the expression Of subtle
shades of meaning is about the hardest
thing know OF. Sometimes l work on
a paragraph for hours trying to get the
phrase or the rhythm l want. Often
even a sentence-Oh. It's a terrible busi-
ness"
Travel varies the routine of Booth
Tarkington's work. For years he has
spent a great deal of time abroad, be-
ing particularly fond of Italy. He 10
also fond of a joke and the follow
ing story is told by an artist friend
OF the author: Il will send you
something out of foreign parts"
promised Harrington his friend who
went to see him off for Europe. In
due time the artist received a letter
saying: 1T is the fad here to have
animal pets. How would you like me
to send you a nice. amusing animal?"
Another letter said: Il have seen just
what you want" And a third letter.
1T is a nice baby African leopard,
shipped by Oceanic on ." There
was a CONSERVATION in the artists
studio. profane words for the mis-
guided benevolence of Harrington.
and much scurrying around to procure
suitable quarters for Mr.. Leopard
when he should arrive" The anxious
artist greeted the Oceanic when 1t
arrived in New York with eager in
Quiries for the leopard passenger. but
no news could be gained of him. Mr..
Harrington kept the anxiety at fever
heat and his friend on tender hooks
by continual kilograms: Leopard de-
layed. Sent by Etruria." Delayed
again. Sent by Noordland." The ex-
asperated recipient of the gift did not
know whether to laugh. cry. or swear
when he received a final long Iele-
gram: Sorry. old man. leopard bit
wife of captain of Noordland Had
to be killed. Shall / get another"