Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

> THE READER’S VIEWPOINT HE letter from Greensboro, below, is the first comment we have had on the Earl Wayland Bowman story. We had meant to ask our readers whether any had noticed something peculiar about the tale, but decided it would be better to let this prose poem come as a surprise. We remind them now that this is the last chance to get in their solutions of the mystery at the root of ‘‘ The Return of George Washing- ton.” Guesses should be mailed not later than November 15. Meanwhile, the Shuberts are considering the story with a view to making a stage production. GreEenspBoro, N. C. Let me congratulate you. I made a rough guess a few days ago and found I had read about four million words in the last three years. But I have just read something that is entirely new to me. Id like to know what kind of literature it is. It is a short story in the Arcosy for October 1, by Earl Wayland Bowman, entitled “ As Told by the Ramblin’ Kid.” It was surely an agreeable surprise. I read it through, and when I had fin- ished, I scratched my head and thought a little, then read it again. Yes, I found what was the matter the second time. It was a real good short story, and then some, but it was poetry, too! Yes, when I read the darned thing the second time, I found that it rimed from beginning to end. I have never read anything that was prose and yet was poetry, too, in my life before. Perhaps some of our brother Arcosy readers noticed it also. If you did, let us hear from you via the Viewpoint. Mr. Editor, you might put me wise to what kind of literature you call that. Keep the old treasure ship as it is with just a few more “impossible stories” in it. Edgar Rice Burroughs preferred. _ A ten years reader. E. FF. Myton, Utan. Inclosed find check for four dollars for a re- newal of your wonderful magazine. Have been a reader of the Arcosy-Attstory for years, and have always found it a top-notcher. When I first commenced reading the Reader’s Viewpoint I was surprised at the various criticisms of the different writers, and was fearful for a time that my favorite magazine would be shot to pieces. We are ninety miles from the railroad and this is what you might call the “wild and woolly ” West, yet we like Western stories, especially a writer who can paint good word pictures. You have them. But then we don’t want all Western stories. We like variety—just such a magazine you have been giving us. Yours for continued success. A. R. FresNo, CALIF. For pleasing and entertaining relief and relaxa- tion from the cares and worries of life the general average standard of Arcosy stories suits me thor- oughly. I carefully make it a point to keep an issue or two behind in my reading, making the magazine wait for me instead of the other way around. I have just finished the September 17 issue and enjoyed it even more than ordinarily. For numbing one against his debts and other an- noyances I am finding “ Desperate Chances,” by Maclsaac, a perfect anesthetic. ‘‘ The Martinet,” by Ben Conlon, was so good that it prompted me to write to him. And Watkins shows clever and finished craftsmanship in telling a flying story, He and Conlon give the impression that they know what they are talking about. Their work has that impressive autobiographic suggestion and makes me wish they would go in for longer stories. PS A..C, Cotumsus, Onto. So some sore-head has been roasting this de- partment, has hep It is hard to conceive of any one who is narrow-minded enough to do such a thing. Myself, I think there is more actual ehjoyment in reading the views and criticisms of other readers than in reading a short story. Of course, there are exceptions. In a recent issue there was a letter from an- other sour note requesting that you discontinue war stories. The request may be justified as far as the writer was concerned, but I think it was hardly necessary for him to go to such lengths in telling what he had done, how he had “ got his man” and all that. What did he join the army for? However, be that as it may, there isn’t any use of his trying to crab the show for the rest of us. Give us some more good war stories. f, for one, shall not kick if there is one in each issue so long as it is not overdone. As for “impossible stories,’ how can we tell just where to draw the line? Even if it were possible to draw such a line, I am in favor of printing more of them. In fact, I am in favor of your using your own judgment. You have been very successful in your selection of stories and I shall continue reading your magazine. I know that when I pick up an All-Story, as I still call it, I am perfectly safe in buying it; for one is always certain to get more than he pays for in interesting reading. I have not asked you to print more of but one type, or rather, two types of stories, but whatever you print I know I'll be satisfied. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to enlarge this department? Ido. And cut out the 639 initials. If a person does not care to have his name published he has no business writing the CONMGCEOOOL<S: (E)