Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

THE LOG-BOOK. which, I believe, I enjoyed more than “ One- Cylinder Sam,” and that is saying a great deal. Most magazines improve gradually, but THE Arcosy seems to come forward by leaps and bounds. I note that you request in the Log-Book that we relate what it was that first attracted us to Tue Arcosy. In my case it was more of a case of sympathy than anything else. In the spring of 1908 I was stranded in a small town in Tennessee, and happening to pass a news- stand and noting THE Arcosy story, “Up Against It,” I felt that if the fellow who wrote that story had any solution for the problem that could be applied to my case, I was strong for him. Since, I have missed but few num- bers of Tue Arcosy, this being due to the news-stands running out of it before I got around. I am moving most of the time, and have to depend upon the news-stands instead of a regular subscription. In all the country there is not a bunch of authors that hand out as much pleasure as THE ArGosy writers, and I have no criticism to make on any of them. C. L. Epwarps. YOUR FAVORITE STORY Here you are, readers, a letter that opens the way for a flow of opinions from you on more than one topic. After all, not the length, but the strength of a story is the thing, and I do not believe in hampering the author by rules and regulations ‘when genius burns. A good idea this of Mr. Padgett’s as to what story each reader: liked best. I’m waiting to hear from you. Andalusia, Alabama. I enclose herewith one dollar for my re- newal. THE Arcosy is the best ever, and only one thing would cause me to quit reading it, and that would be to make it a weekly publication instead of monthly. I do not have time to read a weekly magazine, for I recently tried that on the All-Story Weekly, beginning with the opening chapters of “The Matrimaniac.” This story was good, and I read it all, but haven’t had time to read the other stories in the copies that I bought. I want to entreat you to quit drawing the serials out so long. Please change your mode of printing them back to the old style of three instalments each, divided into three parts. Three serials each month, with one going out and a new one coming in in each issue is, in my estimation, a much better way than the present method. I realize that the serials hold subscribers, but the suggestion I have offered will not interfere with this, and will give the readers the entire serial while the first part is still fresh in their memory. The present method of drawing a serial out from five to seven months is objectionable, because when the last is reached, the first is too far away and is not clearly remembered. Please take a vote on this, and see if the majority of your readers do not prefer serials in three instalments. I would like to know through the Log-Book just what story each reader liked best. That is, 525 just what story fitted in and reminded them of some part of their life. I liked “The Third Act” better than any other, for the reason that it almost completely followed a certain chapter of my life. Hoping that you don’t forget to con- tract the serials, I am, B. B. PADGETT. “IT’S THE STORY THAT COUNTS” The magic of circulation-building is_ ex- plained in the simple act related in the sub- joined letter. Somebody likes a certain story in THE Arcosy, hands it to a friend to read, and, presto, another unit is added to the maga- zine’s clientele. Which story in the present issue, say, do any of you consider worth recom- mending to a friend? Syracuse, New York. Please find enclosed one dollar to pay for my renewal to THE Arcosy, which I have read for a long time. The first Arcosy I remember reading had “A Trolley Tangle” in it, and a friend considered the story so good that the book was handed to me, and I at once became an admirer of THe Arcosy. I always liked Hawkins, but I will abide by. the decision of the majority and forget him. In regard to authors, I never notice an author’s name. It’s the story that counts with me, not the author. Hoping that this escapes the scrap-heap, I am, HAROLD GUTTERSON. THE PULL OF THE SERIAL I especially commend the subjoined to those readers who want us to abolish serials. They are the anchor to windward that steadies circu- lation. Without serials, Mr. Graham would very likely have waited for the March number when he found he was too late for February. Ukiah, California. Enclosed find ten cents’ worth of stamps to pay for the February Arcosy. I was too late to get it from the town near which I live. I] think THE Arcosy is about the best magazine I have read. I have not subscribed for it yet, but I intend to, later. ‘“‘ The Motive,” “ Daring the Danger Zone,” and “ The Gilded Trap”’ are very good stories, and as they are continued in the February Arcosy is why I.am so anxious ta get it. | DiaHnL C. GRAHAM. PREFERS THE LONG SERIAL Mr. Rich runs squarely counter to the pref- erences of Mr. Padgett in the matter of the length of serials. November, 18096, was the second issue of the present type of Arcosy— that is to say, all fiction. Seattle, Washington. I have just finished reading ‘ Four-Forty at the Fort Penn,” by Perley Poore Sheehan, in the March number of THe Arcosy, and I must say I think it is a crackerjack. I have read a number of novels by the same author, including “The Star of Adventure” and “Phyllis of Fountain Square”—all good, every one—but 1OOOLK