The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 4 — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

766 that author and like it, I read his story first. And if the author is a new one, I make a mental note of his name if I like his works; and if I don’t like what he writes, I watch for his name, and I do not read anything else by him. I also saw that you wished to know if the readers wished the continuance of the Log-Book, and wish to say that I do. ‘“ Getting Away From Thompson” was just fine. : D. P. HERNDON, JR. PICKS STORIES BY AUTHORS Good! The subjoined just came in by morn- ing’s mail, so Mr. Herndon will have company. Incidentally, I am glad to have a Montana read- er’s dictum on cow-punchers’ demeanor. He ought to be in a position to know something of the matter. Helena, Montana. I have read THe Arcosy for eight years. This is the first time I have screwed up crust enough to write, but your question concerning the in- terest in the authors’ names caught my attention. I always pick my stories by the authors. I like your book-length novels, but I play no favorites. I have just finished “ Getting Away From Thomp- son.” Let’s have some more of Edgar Franklin’s. “Men in the Raw” pleased me immensely. I agree with C. H. Gilmore (April Log). A “ cow- puncher ” is generally a quiet person. The char- acters sometimes represented as Westerners would stampede a herd of “ dogies” with their chatter. “From Dusk to Dark” is good. Hurry it along. C. F. MAnER. YET ANOTHER BOOST FOR FRANKLIN STORY Now we switch to an opinion on the other side, from a reader to whom the story means everything, the writer of it nothing. Incidentally, I may remark that “ Getting Away From Thomp- son” appears to be getting away with a bunch of compliments. By the bye, I have just accepted another story by the author of “31754.” Perry, New York. I have just got through reading the May issue of Tue Arcosy, and find it as interesting as ever, especially the complete novel entitled “ Getting Away From Thompson.” I very seldom notice the author’s name. I judge a story by the in- terest it arouses in me rather than by who wrote it. I generally read the Log-Book first, then the short stories, and save the best until the last— namely, the complete novel. I like the serials also, but wait until I get each story complete be- fore reading. ‘Four Speeds for Forest Hill” and “ A Mystery of Roscoe Conkling Park,” published in the March and April issues, were certainly O. K. Also the serial, “31754,” which I have just finished read- ing. Altogether I think your magazine the best ever, V. M. Grxinanp. WHAT PART DID THE COVER PLAY WITH YOU? How many others have been first attracted to Tue Arcosy by the cover picture? As perhaps you may recall, I am always intensely interested THE ARGOSY. in learning what it was that brought our maga- zine to the attention of the people who are now regularly buying it. Bozeman, Montana. If by chance this escapes the waste-basket, it will be my first appearance in the Log-Book. It would, perhaps, interest you to know that it was through one of Zane Grey’s stories that I first became interested in Tur Arcosy. Having read nearly all of Zane Grey’s books, and seeing ‘“ The Desert Crucible” advertised on your attractive cover, I bought the magazine, and have never missed a copy since. To my notion, the people who are registering so many kicks against your serial stories don’t realize what it would mean to have them dis- continued. As for me, would rather have a story in serial form than not have it at all. Me for serials every time. In reply to your request in the March number, asking to hear from readers in regard to whether the author is worthy of any notice (or some- thing to that effect) I beg to state that the author’s name is second in line to come to my notice. Ever since I began reading THE Arcosy, I have been an interested reader of the Log-Book. I am not a regular subscriber, but buy my Arcosy of the local dealers every month. Hoping to hear from some others in regard to “serial” and “author” business, I am An Arcosy Booster, — EK. W. Harwoop. A CONFESSION BY THE EDITOR Here’s another man who wants more opinions on serials. We, as editor and publishers, have found serials more profitable than no serials, so it isn’t a question of whether to drop them or not. _ For my part, the presence in the new number of a fresh part of a story in which I am already in- terested adds a real zest to magazine purchasing. And I never think of waiting until I have the whole story complete. Now, I’ve expressed my own views quite frankly, so it’s your turn, readers of THe Arcosy. Meanwhile listen to our friend from Albany, Georgia, which reminds me that I have just accepted a novel about Albany, New York. Albany, Georgia. I started to read THE Arcosy October, 1914, and my first issue had “The Man With the 44 Chest’ in it, and after reading that I sure had to have it every month. That story suited me the best of any, but “ One-Cylinder Sam” and several others came powerful near to it. It would be imteresting to me to find out through the Log-Book why people like serials. I can’t understand it, although they aren’t any great annoyance to me, as I wait until the last instalment is in, then read it altogether. It seems peculiar that people should want their stories in parts. Of course, I don’t think your magazine is the best every month, but taking an average of the stories, I don’t think it could be beaten by many, if any, others. FRANK S. LEGGETT, “THE BOOK OF BOOKS ” TO HIM Tt’s a real pleasure to an editor to receive such a letter as the subjoined from one who has NOOKS COMMUC (C@