The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-20
ARE AUTHORS AS
 YOU IMAGINE THEM |?


 "A few little words! Before that day
 I never had taken heed;
 But Oh, how blessed the love that
 came
 The love that taught me to read!" Very recently, I received an invita- ton from Woodcraft Leauge to attend one of their grand councils, in New York City. A large number of authors were to be present What's the Woodcraft League?', I asked myself, with some curiosity. My imagination conjured up handsomely carved and burned woods-many things cunn1ngly fashioned from, wood Would they in terest me? I was not sure, but the thought that I would meet many au- thors tempted me.
 I went. I was ushered into a strange atmosphere-a veritable Indian wig warn, such as must have been on the western plains at the time when Amer ica was in its infancy. Boys repre- senting Indian lads played about or were engaged in rubbing together two pieces of wood to light their camp dres-it being the only way then known to produce flame, by friction. Lights there were none save for the bright blaze of the campfire, which threw it's rose glow over the faces of the assembled guests.
 If anybody expected authors to be a prosy set of blue-stokings, he would find himself much mistaken. On the contrary, it appeared more like the coming-out ball of borg of debu- tantes. Beauty was liberally mixed with brains.
 Of course. you have often imagined what your fa,vorite author looked like. Ten to one you have shot your arrows wide of the mark. First came Ella Wheeler Wilcox, blonde, dainty. with a round apple face and eyes blue as larkspurs. She wore cream-colored satin dress, ankle length, with garni- ture of silver 1ace-a veritab1e pie ture.
 Ellen Glasgow was in the receiving line, plump, demure and fascinating, of Titan type. The tall, slender lady with dark wavy hair and thoughtful face. garbed simply in white. with no, gleam of jewelry about her, was Alice. Hogan Rice, she of Mrs. Wiggs of cabbage patch fame, said my inform ant, a newspaper man.
 A moment later was chatting with Gosmo Hamilton. the famous writer. He was snooth-faced Englishman. who could tell the best Imaginable story without cracking a smile. Beside him stood George Barr McCutcheon, round, rolly-poIIy, good natured; just the man you would pick out as having written the books you have read.
 My interest was intense when VVir.- ston Churchill was announced. The pretty young things in tu11e and flow CTS whol had evidently waited for him to put in an appearance manifested their delight by asking, Isn't 1t per. fectly lovely of him to comei'' @Is he married?', they asked of, each other, noticing he had come alone appar- ently.
 promised to find out and let them know, Such an unaffected, jolly young man would never have been suspected of being the author of the world-fa- nous novels. It wouldn't do to com p1inent him, for he can fire a dozen back at you in the same breath He is tall, slender, dark eyed-sh-hand- some, girls.
 But the Ernest Thompson Sefons, as host and hostess of the evening were of course in the spotlight. Like the generality of authors, he is slender, of medium height, cordial in manner. He knows how to write a mighty inter- esting book. Best of all, he knew how to pick out handsome wife. It is said of her that she is one of the most beautiful women in New York. She has chestnut hair, blue eyes and is of medium height, plump, but not too plump Her gown was of black tuIle ankle length. with sp1ashes of sea-b1ue spangles- As hostess she is perfect. She clasps your hand, looks into you1. eyes, smiles her ;ininitable smile, sl1 b. tIy giving you the impression that the affair is given just for you! Most every author known to fame who could get there was present. BIue-stock- ings? Not a bit of f They were like a lot of school boys and girls let out for a holiday. What did they talk of? The single girls talked about their beaux, of course Engagement rings were coveftly covered. yet each and every one declared, what! take advan- tage of leap year? No, not they. Do not always conclude that people who give grave thoughts to the public have long or thoughtful faces. When away from pen and ink, they. can be their own merry selves and as stylish as they are clever Out of the crush of over 400, there was not one heart that was not happy, even gay.
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