The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1959-01-23
AUTO RAPHING PARTY
FOR BUXTON AUTHOR
BY MYRTLE N. DANIELS

Ole Aunt Rhode was really
plucking her goose on Friday the
10th. Day turned into night again
at 8 am. For brief spell there
was a warm drizzle, then sudden
gusts tossed a bit of sleet against
the window panes, and finally
! brought swirling snow that lasted
for several hours.
All this on a day when a group
of teen7agers expected me to
take them to an autographing
party in downtown Raleigh.
The authors of "Maggie-Now'
and "The Hatterasman" We're to
be at the Carolina Art Sales Gal
lery at Efird's Department Store.
This Gallery has an interesting
collection of pottery, paintings,
jewelry, books and other express
sions of North Carolina talent and
energy. All for sale.
Stepping off the elevator, at the
third floor, one sees rows of high
piled tables and narrow aisles.
Endless bolts of tapestry, bed
ding, linens, a world of household
items stretch out for the length of
a city block. A casual observer
would scarcely notice the art gal
lery sign on door at the Fayette
vile Street end of the floor. But on
Friday one could find it by follow
ing the ear.
When the elevator door opened,
there was such cackle and flutter
Tin the distance) l was sure min
ME The Coon" s cousin had invad-
ed the coop. A peep into the gal
lery however, proved the chicks
were holding the visitor at bay.
Ben Dixon MacNeill was at the
desk, but he could not be seen, for
he was surrounded. by gracious la
dies hugging their copies of "The
Hatterasman." Somebody said his
hand was cramped by now. and
that he should stop writing and
move out for an interview with one
lady reporter who
threatened to leave in a huff. if she
had to wait much longer. Tea and
crumpets were being served in one
corner of the gallery.
After my book was autographed,
| listened to Mrs. Josephus Dan
iels, Jr. tell some little bits about
Mr.. MacNeill's years with the
News and Observer family. They
hold great affection for their form
err staff member.
Governor MacLean was devot-
ed to him." she said. sand Mr..
Mack had the run of the mansion
during those years."
1t was not necessary for the Bux-
ton author to share the spotlight
with anyone. Betty Smith had re-
at her home in Chapel Hill
because of the snow storm. and my
group of teen-agers missed the
party for the same reason. Anoth-
er autographing date will be set
for those who have bought copies
of "Maggie-Now." We shall try to
be there. Signatures are something
to treasure. and handwriting itself
makes an interesting study
The bold stroke of Mr.. Mac
Neill's pen would make you think
he learned to write by initiating
that unflinching signer of The
Declaration of Independence, JOHN
HANCOCK. So different from the
quiet, modest appearance of the
writer himself!
The scrawled signature of Dare /
County's author, Mr.. Me-. is beau
tiful in rugged way, like the sim
uous line made by the highest
wave along the seashore.
The first printing of "The Hat
is a sell-out. The de-
mand is greater than the supply
and there will be another printing.
The publisher has not been able to
fill all the orders.
1t seems sure thing that BEN
DIXON MACNEILL will go down
in history as the MARK TWAIN
IF the coast land.