Life — March 20, 1902 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Literary Success. HE main element of literary suc- cess is the popular mood. Littérateurs and littératenses have nothing to do with making the popu- lar mood. This is made by the high price of potatoes, or the bad times ubroad, or the constructive statesmanship of the Republican Party, ef cetera. The public take to their bosoms to-day what they would have coldly neglected yes- terday, and vice versa. Even the works of an Irving Bacheller might have fallen still- born from the press in another generation. In a word, literary success is quite like success in the real-estate or saloon business; it is lucrative, and that is all. The man or woman who should write to please himself or herself— But that is getting away from our subject. QNEnever hides blush nowadays. They are too scarce. A CARPENTER AND JOINER. 235 The Puppet Game. 4 (PERHAPS; POETIC PLAY, DEALING WITH THEATRICAL DOLLS AND DOLL-MASTER, CENE: Throne room, Vampire Theatre, New York. Decora- tions: Red with profuse sprinkling of $ marks in gilt. At end of room a heavy, carved, gilt throne stands on a dais. At top of throne’s back is carved an Em- peror’s crown, and under this, in a Napoleonic laurel wreath, are the letters ‘S. R.” (Show- man Rex). On throne is seated Cartes, head of the house of Showman, and Emperor of the Drama. Grouped about him are Princes of Trust and aides. Each has large cigar corner of mouth. Brass cuspidors 3. R." abound. Charles is dressed as an interlocutor, and wears a‘ Prop” crown, As curtain rises all but Curnces stand and sing: Oh, salaam and kowtow to the King of the Jews, ‘The Emperor of the “ Drammer,”” Who can make up a play out of scissors and glues As well as with nails and a hammer. Cuances (ith patronizing smiles): Gen- tlemen, be seated. (Sings =) I'm monarch of actors and plays ; My plans for the season are made; Tn antics and actions My this year's attractions Will startle the sober and staid. Oritens (sing together) : He's shows that beat Barnum’s and Buffalo Bill's; He's all sorts of freak exhibitions. With finished finesse he can manage the Press, Or buy it all up with commissious, Cuares (bowing thanks Friends, tempus fidgits—Latin, please ob- serve us— And we must audience grant to those who serve us. Oruens: Ay, my liege. Cuantes (addressing liveried doorman): Open the portals to the anteroom— The room where me and Alf plays penny anto— And tell the waiting players to approach, (Doors open and a file of players enter. At head is Map Avpams in the white uni- Sorm of “L'Sparrow."”) Cuantes (addressing her): Approach, poor creature, your new plans are made; “T)Sparrow ” will not last another year ; Ccomicbooks.com