The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20

TT is a little ~rubbyholc If an Office
about eight by twelve. AZ YOU
peep into II you see w or three
narrow bookshelves on the left near
tn, door. At tho right a single corn-
Portable chair for "A single visitor.
At the further end an old fashioned
window beyond which elevated trains
pess and repass ar day long. Between
you and that window. in another chair.
bending ovcr q desk of tho 1870 period.
sits a tall man Of large frame reading
a manuscript story he has Just
received from Howclls. perhaps, or an
exquisite picture Of New England life
from Dorothy Cantied: possibly n
poem from Josephine Preston Peabody.
~ tale Of tho sea sent him by Joseph
Conrad. or, as is often the casc. a first
effort by some unknown who has felt
the writing Impulse so strongly that
it could not be resisted.
Whatever 1t may be. manuscript
from fainous authors or from authors
who hope to he amous some day. proof
sheets or letters laid before him for
signature, everything receives careful
attention from this silent man with
snowy hair and now beard and ruddy
cheeks. whose 'gypsy eyes" as Mar
garrt Deland las called them. still hold
their tire and depth. although those
cyes first saw light of day nearly eighty
years ago.
Ii Is "a plain little office. with hare
floor. ia which sits Henry NJ. Alden, the
editor OF Hdrpcr'S Magazine, but TO a
host of men md women. noveIists. es-
sayists, historians. painters. explorers,
scientists. poets, II is IA shrine made
glorious by the presence of its pre-
siding spirit. on the wall hangs a por-
trait OF Howells ut 80. when he had
written "The Rise Of Silas 1apham."
Near by Is u smaller picture Of Charles
Dudley Warner. They N all that are
visible. hut II the walls and floor fur
Diture Of that cubbyhole could speak
IN world might have echoes Of literary
conferences and condolences as well
which II would cherish long and jeal-
ousiy.
Wilkie Collins. Justin Mccarthy.
Mark Twain. Howells. Gilbert Parker.
Owen Wister. Mrs. Deland. Abbey.
Sargent, Howard Pyle-H volume might
b flled with names Of those who have
rome into this tiny Office since 1869,
when Mr.. Alden assumed the editorship
Of Hdrpers. And none have left It,
veterans or raw recruits, withou. re-
newed inspiration to do their very best
in the art they worshipped
For a matter Of forty years or so
Mr.. Alden resided at Metuchen, N. j.,
travelling daily to and from his office
in Franklin Square More recently
he has been spending the winter
months in town: but years do not
count with perennial spirits: and In
stead OF taking q train above ground
nowadays he merely takes q subway
express. It's all the same, excepting
that tho subway saves time: and
there Is so much to be done in this
wonderful young world that tune
must be a consideration, oven to q
philosopher.
lie was speaking the other day Of
men n women and books when ref
crencs was made to a suggestion re-
Gently put forth by another and
younger editor OF a ma gazins to the
effect that a foundation might we'll y
formed to endow with moderate in.
comes some Of those who are now
struggling for a livelihood and at the
same time trying as best they may
Ia produce literature Of serious worth
II think" said Mr.. Alden, with his
habitual g~entleness, "that the value o,
doing 80 would depend upon peculiar
eNigencies in the case Of one etruz-
Cling 10 help himself or herself
Hitherto there has been need for such