Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-29
Jack London's OWn Story as
Told Seventeen Years Ago

1t would be fascinating experience would it
not il you could ask famous man to tell you
something about himself and he accommodate
ngly complied? Well that is what we have here
from Jack London in the following characteristic
and interesting letter written nearly seventeen
years ago to NJ. l.. Osborne, associate editor OF
the National Magazine, who Incorporates 1t In an
article in the current issue OF that periodical:
Oakland, Cal, March "a, 1900.-My Friend
In reply to yours of March 49, in which you
kindly offer to give review of my book and
ask for data Find herewith couple OF clip
pings which may be of use to you; also, shall
supplement them where | may imagine it to be
essential.
Please do not be led away by the error in
one OF them relating to my birthplace | was
born in San Francisco and am Californian by
birth as we'll as residence. | was "a years old
last January. lived on Californian ranches
until my tenth year. when my family removed
to Oakland, city, believe, now Boosting 10000
inhabitants. By fits and starts | acquired a
grammar school education, but rough life always
called to me, my whole ancestry was nomadlc
(ts destiny being apparently to multiply and
spread over the earth), SO at IS |, too, struck
out into the world did not away. My
people knew the strain in the blood, so | went
with consent. | first went faring amongst the
scum marine population of San Francisco bay
where got down close to the naked facts OF llie
1t was most adventurous experience, and one
Qke all the rest) which have never regretted
| there learned the rudments of seamanship,
handling small craft in the sternest of weather
till, the month | was II, was fitted to ship be-
fore the mast as an able seaman. Went to Japan
seal-hunting on the Russian side of Behrng sea-
etc. 1t was the longest voyage | ever took (seven
months); life was too short to admit of more
But have taken many short ones and have
served in divers forecastes, stock-holes, ETC..
and am at home anywhere.
7 al
in economics and sociology, | went trampng Ito
the manner born throughout the United States
and Canada Since then have continued those
studies, but in more conventional and theo
retica way
| dabbled at high school, took brief fling
at the state university, but failed to complete my
freshman year mot failed from a scholarly
standpoint and hurried away with the first rush
into the klondike. Have mined and camped
through the Sierras and other places, etc. Never
having been unwise enough to learn trade,
have worked at all sorts of hard labor
When in the Klondke my father died and |
returned to take charge of the family. Have
never been rash enough to put out sheet anchor
in the form of a wife. But when | returned from
the Klondike ] resolved to make the fight of my
life by making my living with my pen. This
was precarious. for my assets were nil and my
liabilities legion. I was also beginner knew
nothing OF markets, methods of editors, needs or
how to furnish those needs. My literary life is
thus about Ia months DID, during which time |
have strven to find myself, from the writing
of troilets to blank verse, and from feature arti-
ces for yellow journals to really ambitious short
stories. Consequently l have turned out vast
deal of hack work. And little ambitious work
Nor have yet been so financially situated that
could try anything long.
1.-THE Son of the Wolf" as youu discover, is
a collection of short stories. These were written
to supply pressing need for cash and were pub
lished principally in the Overland Monthly OF
San Francisco also in Atlantic Monthly. Then
they were collected (nine of them) and submit
ted successfully to Messrs. Houghton, Miffn
& Co.
These gentlemen will supply you with electro
types OF myself, doubt not, though you may
have to ask for them. The Overland Monthly
April (if the article is not delayed, will prob
ably furnish you with further data should you
need it, Said article is to be written by Mrs
Ninette Eames who knows me personally but
do not know what she intends saying in it.
Thanking you for past and present kindnesses
beg to remain, very sincerely yours,
JACK LONDON.