The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 252: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

238 If you do not finish “ Making a Fan of Him” in your next issue, I believe I shall pass out of this world, due to unduly suppressed excite- ment. That story has “got me by the hip.” I just want to throw a little hot shot into some of your critics. *When one can’t speak well of a man, it’s far better to say nothing than to pick out the rough spots. If you like a story, praise it, if you don't, read it and say nothing, or, better, don’t finish it. Occasional- ly I find flaws in a story, but let the other fellow be the Citisen Fixit. However, there is just one question I want to ask you. This is for information and not criticism. In “ Between Two Alibis” it seems to me that most of the questions Spielman asks in direct examination of witnesses are leading. Is this in accordance with the rules of evidence? I would like to know. Taking Up the Gage of Battle. George L. A., of Philadelphia, wrote from Pittsburgh, under dat® of Septem- ber 19, to say that for personal reasons he would never purchase another copy of Tuer Arcosy. As an afterthought he adds: However, I will purchase the October num- ber to see if this letter appears. If it does not, I take for granted that nine-tenths of the aes you publish are written by you in your office. He gave no address so that no reply could be made to him by mail and as the October issue was on sale the day his “threat ’’ was received, it was manifestly impossible to print it in that number nor in November either, as the Log-Book was already made up for that month. I take this much notice of the communica- tion in order to emphasize anew the ab- surdity of the charge that the letters appearing in these pages are “fakes.” I should think that they are not would ap- pear on the face of them. | Who Can Put a Name to This Story? Here’s a letter which I dare say many will think I wrote myself simply because I can’t place even initials to it, because the writer forgot to sign his name after getting off his effusion (dated at Auburn- dale, Florida) on the typewriter. I want ‘to print it, however, as I can’t place the story he describes, although I have a vague recollection of it, and perhaps some of you can recall its title. I have been a reader of THE Arcosy for several years; in fact, since 1898, the first ones being given to me. They contained a serial THE ARGOSY. railroad story which was great. I have always been satisfied with Tur Arcosy and think it fine except in one particular: I don’t like a browbeating man like Hawkins, nor a fellow like Griggs, who cannot stand up for himself. I have read other stories by Franklin that I considered much better. I would like to see another story like “ The Cad,” which keeps a fellow up at night to see how it turns out. I like old knight errant or Revolutionary tales once in a while, too, also a love-story, if it is not too mushy, but has lots of action, like one I read some time ago. I have forgotten the title; perhaps you will recollect: A young man strikes an older man, knock- ing him down, and thinking he has killed him, he runs away and hoboes out West, where he gets work on a big irrigating project. Ene- mies try to dynamite the dam, but are caught, the young man being wounded in the fight, and the girl nurses him while he is down and out —a good story all the way through. I think “ The Clutch of Siberia,” in the Oc- tober number, is fine, so is the Log-Book. Keep it going. I think I have bought every magazine you have got out, but I have always stuck to THE Arcosy and let the others slide, all except the Railroad Man’s, which I think is O. We only read six magazines at our house, and only three of_us to read them, too. Welcome Words from a Brother Editor. It’s praise from Sir Hubert, indeed, when a fellow editor sends such cheery words as these along with the cash as does E. D. K. of Alma, Kansas: I enclose $1.50 for renewal. I have not missed a number of THE Arcosy for fifteen years, and hope not to miss it in the next fifteen. One-fifty, two-fifty, or three-fifty— it’s worth it. I am glad to add the odd fifty for the increased size. Preliminary Sounds from ‘A Call to Arms.” Out of the South (Atlanta, Georgia) H. M. 8. sends these congratulatory lines about the magazine, with especial refer- ence to two of its authors. The sequel to “ The Taking of the Liberator,” and “The Chase of the Concession,” setting forth further and very much up-to-date adventures of Edward Hemmett and Stephen Girton in Guanama, will appear as the book-length novel in the January ARGOSY. I have noticed the many cheery commenda- tions on the story, “ Heroes Both,” which ap- peared as the book-length novel in the July Arcosy. I want to add my letter to those you have already received and state that it was one of the best stories that has been published in Tue Arcosy during the past year. some time ago I wrote you regarding the CO MICLOOKS CO