Life — January 5, 1893 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

WHERE LIFE BEGAN, year from now you will be amazed that you ever seriously thought of it. When the writer stepped out upon the sidewalk after this interview, he said to himself: “ Probably the advice is good, but if I listen to reason I shall weaken.” So the next morning I hastened to De Vinne’s to make arrangements for the printing. De Vinne had been selected in an experiment of this hazardous nature, where the becaus other features were so uncertain, the best of printing would be none too good. It was something of a disappointment to find that he would undertake no weekly publications of any kind. Ata second establishment my overtures were listened to politely, but after a thorough comprehension of the . the proprietor regretted his inability to cooperate. A visit to a third printer was equally unsuccessful. It was evident that A Printe! 's shared with the rest of mankind a reluctance to “\ identify themselves with this particular kind of folly. * Although number three refused to print the paper, it was s were gladdened by the only ray of hope in the shape of a cheering fact that illumined the swampy ground through which I was wading. This printer had printed Van- ty Farr,and be said that its circulation was fourteen thousand copies at the time of its death. Now, | knew that with a cir- culation of ten thousand the future Lire would yield a profit. To be sure, the field was now occupied by two highly colored and successful rivals, and Vanity Fair had no competition ; but encouragement was such a rare fruiton this slippery jour- ‘here my 17 ney that every particle of juice v extracted from the unlooked-for re- freshment. ‘These three typographical defeats had used up the afternoon. But the next day some one told me of the Gilliss Brothers, in Fulton street, who did most artistic work, and | lost no time in going there. The crushing defeats of the previous afternoon had resulted in that state of mind familiar to the clown in the Christmas pantomime, from whom everything is jerked away as he is about to lay his hand upon it. My joy, therefore, was very great to find the iss Brothers willing to print the paper, But their heads also were cool and not fired by misleading enthusiasm, for they insisted that the payment for each edition should be made in ad- vance. One afternoon, about this time, Martin came into the studio and said in his usual quiet tone : “T have found him.” “Whom?” “Our business manager. His name is Miller—Andrew Miller, I knew him at colleg: “And you think he is equal to it?” “ Well, he is young.” “That's sensible. And he is not handicapped by any ex- perience in the business ?” “We must remember that if he were he would be out of harmony with his partners.” Butan interview with Mr. Miller convinced us both that we had finally discovered the man for the gap, Although the stigma ofeyouth was on him, he knew something of the busi- ness from a previous connection with the Dazly Graphic, and with one of the largest advertising agencies in the country. He joined Lik at once, and his activity, together with his knowledge of the requirements of his own business, gave impetus and reality to that neglected but vital department. This enabled the two editors to put more energy and time into their own work. Unfortunately there were not. six artists in the country known to fame at that period whose services were of value. The few who were asked to contribute had their reasons for notdoing so. It was necessary that drawings, representing scenes in high life should be of a style and quality unlike any- side of the Atlantic. There were . how- thing then published this artists producing the best of work, but those drawing ever excellent as serious pictures, were unfit for the new demand. For LiFk’s uses such drawings, while being as true to nature and as clever artistically, must show a light- comicbooks.com