The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-24

fcTring to me, Madam?
Mrs. ATHERTON: / do not refer TO persons, Mr..
BROwSELL. / hit them No, had Mr.. BoYNToN
particularly in mind And perhaps GENE STRAIT
COMFORTER. Is she here? UIOoks around menac-
ingly). No. Well. go ahead with your nonsense.
Mr. HowEIs (risng): think l will withdraw
from consideration of this case Mrs. ATHERToN
has challenged me so often
Mr. BoYNToN: No, stay am going to stick it
out
Mr.. FoLLETT l think there is no question but
that We should hold the defendant in contempt.
Mrs. ATlIERToN: Mutual, assure you. (She
sweeps out OF the room and large section of the
public quietly follows her.
CLERK PHELPS: JOSEPH HERGEsHEIMER TO the
bar! "a short, stocky fellow with twirkling eyes
steps forward) Mr. HERGEsHEIMER?
Mr.. HERGEsHEIMER: Right.
Mr.. REEDY: Good boy, JOE!
Mr.. FoIIETr: 1t won't do, it won't do at all
There S only The Three Black PeRnyS and Gold and
Iron and novel called JGra Head to go by. SGtur-
day Evening Post. And bewderngly unlike each
other. Seem artistic but are too popular, fancy,
really to be sound.
Mr.. ITERGEsHEIMER: With all respect, should
ike to ask whether this is a court of record?
Mr.. HOwEII.s: 1t is
MIR HERGEsHEIMER: In that case think | shall
press for a verdict which may be very helpful TO
me. ] should like also TO have the members of the
court on record respecting my work.
Mr.. BoYNToN: just as | feared. Ny dear fell
low while we should like to be helpful and will
endeavor 30 give YOU advice 10 that end il must be
done unObtrusively current reviews =.
We II compare your work with that of HAWTHORNE
and HARRY or perhaps a standard trenchman
That will give you sOmething to work for. But you
cannot expect TO say anything definite about you
at this stage of your work. Suppose were to say
what we really think or what some really think
that you are the most promising writer in America
to-day, promising IN the that You have most Of
your work before you and in the sense that your
work is both popular and artlstcally fine. Don t
YOU the risk?
Mr.. IIERGEsHEnIER: l do and also see that you
would make your own reputation much more than
you would make mine. ! write a story. | risk
everything with that story Yen deliver verdict
Why shouldn't you take a decent chance, tooG
Mr. FoILETT: Why should I take any more
chances than have to with my contemporaries? [
pick them pretty carefully, can tell you.
Mr. HERGEsrIEIMER: / shall write novel to be
published after my death There was HENRY
ADAMS He stipulated that The Educatiu, Of
Henry adams should not be published until after
his death; and everybody says it is positively brill
liant
Mr. Fo1LETr (relieved) That is a wise decision.
But don I be disheartened I'll probably be able to
get around TO You in ten years anyway. mr..
HERcEslIEIMER bows and rctires)
CLERK PHELPS JOHN GAI.swORTHY!
Mr. FOIIETT (brightening) Some Of the Eng
lishmen J. This is better Besides, know all about
GAISWoITHY.
Mr.. GAISwORTHY Coming forward: I feel
much honOrcd.
COUNSEL FOR THE Prosecution If the court
please, | must state that for some time now Mr..
GAISwORTuY has been published serally in maya
zine with circulation Of one digit and six ciphers.
Or one cipher and six digits, ! cannot remember
which
Mr. BRowNIII.: What, six9 Then he has more
readers than be counted on the fingers of one
hand There are only five fingers on a hand. |
think this is conclusive
Mr.. RoYNToN: Oh, decidedly.
Mr.. FoIIETT: But put him in my book on mod
ern novelists, all Of whom were hand picked.
Mr. GAI.swORTHY with much camness for one
L. 81, 81. al,