The Argosy, April 1916 — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

190 nounceable names and incomprehensible themes; and cut out all war stuff. We get too much of . it in the newspapers. Prefer U. S. American tales of mystery, Jove, intrigue. Always waiting for the next issue. ROBERT ROYHE. HOW FAR DO YOU GO FOR THE ARGOSY ? Mention in the letter below of a six-mile drive to buy THe Arcosy suggests that it would be in- teresting to hear from some of my readers who have taken or are now taking even longer trips each month to obtain their favorite magazine. But in these days of motor-cars, six miles is a mere bagatelle, so be sure to mention when you write what means of transit you employed. Midland, Ohio. - Well, I am ringing up for the first time. Den’t get nervous, for I am not even going to hint at a kick. As for THe Arcosy, it is some magazine. ‘J have been a reader for the past five years, and I wish it was ten. Your stories are all fine; but we all have our pet writers. Mine is Fred Jackson. | ' } have been driving six miles to get THE Arcosy, and would drive twice that far if neces- sary, but it isn’t, and so [ am going to let you send it to me for @ year,.beginning with the March number. I am a farmer, but I always find time to read THE Arcosy. Well, if this escapes the waste-basket I may come again. I thank you for many pleasant hours. W. R. Brown. THOSE TWO RESTLESS FIGURES IN *31754” By this time you will all probably have guessed who was responsible for the added touch of mystery in the serial, “ 31754,” concluded in this issue. I am not sure, however, that Mr. ‘Todd’s manner of treating the matter in the letter printed below does not hint at another plot that one of my writers may work up some of these Caledonia, Ontario. I have been an interested reader of the Log- Book, though silent, fer a mumber of. years. However, you have forced me to write at last. I do not come as a knocker, but a booster, of your magazine. I have enjoyed your book for a num- ber of years, and have yet to miss reading a single story, and seldom found one that I did not like. There have been times when I could not sit still long enough to read a story in other maga- zines, yet could still settle down and read any story in your book. I think it must be because E have developed the Arcosy habit and can’t break. off, I have just finished reading the February num- ber, and your new serial has got me going like a racing-car. When it came down to guessing the rest of the story and solve the mystery, your serial “31754” has all past stories stopped. I have as yet failed to find a story that did not THE ARGOSY.. turn out all right, but now you have me guessing. I cannot imagine who is to blame. Is it the author, Lawrence Perry, Lansimg, the editor, or myself who has the numbers mixed? The story starts with the girl in the gray road- ster 31754, who is last seen when Lansmg is arrested for speeding. When next we hear of the girl her number is 31745, and we follow her un- der that until the end of the first instalment. Has Lansing mistaken the number and fallen in love with the wrong girl, or has the author got mixed, or is the editor to blame for all the trouble in the difference in numbers, or, lastly, is it I who am mistaken? EI have yet to read the finish to the story, and I am afraid I will be the party to blame. However, when you can publish a story in which a mystery develops that includes every one, from the people themselves down to the reader, you are writing some story, and this is what you have done. [I suppose I am not the only one who is guessing now. Hoping you can all prove yourselves innocent of the mistake, from the author down to the printer’s devil, and blame it all on me, your friend, REGINALD Topp. P. S—Can you get the next book out a few days earlier? I want to get at the end of “31754.” It is a good thing that New York State has adopted the hyphen number for 1916. Have they been reading your story in advance? WHO’D WIN OUT IN A TALKING MATCH ? Here’s the first side-light on the matter opened up by H. H., of Omaha, in the February Log, when he pleaded for more talk and less action in fiction. According to our friend Mr. Gilmore, Westerners are distinguished for their taciturnity. As a matter of fact, I know one Westerner whose flow of talk beats anything I ever heard proceed from human lips. How many more agree with Mr. Gilmore that city folks use up more language than people from the plains and the hills? Kaufman, Texas. I had no intention of “coming” again, at least so soon, but you asked for it. You inquire: “ How many of you agree with H. H. in the be- lief that the characters in THE Arcosy do not talk enough ?” Well, that depends on the character. . If H. H. will get out of the hills of Omaha, stay off the flats of Council Bluffs, and get out to the north- west part of his. State, or even in Wyoming, or take a trip through Montana, Idaho, or even come down into Texas, and keep away from the “movies,” get out where there is fresh air and climate, but little else, he will learn that some of ree writers -for THE Arcosy have been away from ome, When he speaks of the typical Southerner or Westerner, and expects he will be a “talking ma- chine,” it is am exhibitiom of the fact that he needs to comé in contact with that class of men. They do “shout,” but it is in action, and net “hot air.” In “Men in the Raw” (November book-length) it did seem te me that the auther had slipped a cog im the wind-up of the story. If he had stepped to think for 2 moment of the great. big heart. that seems. to be in the breast of MICLOOOKS C©