The Argosy, April 1916 — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

192 THE Raine’s book-length novel, “ Men in the Raw,” as an example. Now, I liked that story. I thought it bully good ‘stuff. The hero knew how to stand the gaff and keep grinning. He is a man’s man—strong and game and square. I’d like a friend like him. So when Mr. H. H. says he never talks, but shouts, I got down the November issue from my ArGosy shelf to see if I had been slipping something over on myself when I liked Steve. Honest, I don’t think I have. I’ve met lads like him down in the cow country—fellows that will stand the acid, and see a thing out to a fighting finish. If he shouts instead of talking, I don't get it. The way it strikes me is that whenever he opens his mouth he says something. If his talk doesn’t illustrate character, and help move the yarn along, I’m away off in my judgment. Mr. H. H. complains that Steve falls in love with the wrong girl. Sure he does. What of it? Ain’t that the way things happen in this little old world? Ain’t we always wondering why So-and- So married So-and-So? No, THE ArGosy stories are all right on this talk business. A lot of the magazines are loaded down with talk that doesn’t get anywhere. THE Arcosy talk arrives. Yours, 3 JamMEs MELHISH. P. S.—While we are registering kicks, I'll come in with mine on this “ Men in the Raw” story. It strikes me as if the story kind of comes to an end after chapter fourteen. The author kind of gives it away himself. He says: “ But the end was not yet.” Then he begins on the second lap. But I’m not really kicking, because I thought it a first-class story. BEST CURE FOR LONELINESS More than any other magazine, THE ARGOSY appears to be the joy and delight of the dweller in far-off places, shut out by the forces of nature from contact with the rest of the world for a time. Here, for instance, is a tribute from a man to whom our magazine was a companion and a bringer of cheer during a long term spent in Alaska. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Reading Mr. Phillips’s letter in the Log-Book brought me back to two years ago when I was in Alaska. I subscribed for THE Arcosy the Iast year I was there. Before that I bought it from the stands. I was there ten years. I know I am as old a reader of THE Arcosy as there can be. I read No. 1, and have been reading it off and on ever since. I have reading spells, and when I buy a magazine, it is always THE Arcosy. I thank you for the many hours that have been slipped by in my cabin when it was storming so outside that one dared not go out. And many others up there, I know, thank you also, but have been slower than I have in expressing it. C. H SmirTuH. A FIND ON THE MILL FLOOR As I think I have told you once before, I am al- ways interested in hearing how my readers came to form acquaintance with THe Arcosy, also which ARGOSY. stories have pleased them most. This letter from Mr. Frost was therefore more than usually wel- come. : Eureka, California. Have never seen a letter from Eureka, so wish to let you know that THE Arcosy is as well known and popular here as in other parts of the world. Have been a constant reader for about fourteen years. ‘The first Arcosy I ever read was a badly mutilated and dirty copy which I found on the floor of a mill where I was working. In it was a serial, “The Land of the Central Sun,” which interested me. I bought the next copy, containing a complete novel, “'The Man in Red,” and that settled the matter. I have bought every copy since then, and still have them all. While I like some stories better than others, have no kick to make. Always read the Log- Book first, and keep the serials until complete. Like the short stories, and sorry to lose Hawkins. I like the improbable kind, outdoor stories of ad- venture, especially those of the north. Some of my favorite authors—William Wallace Cook, Se- ward W. Hopkins, Edgar Franklin, Frank Con- don, and George M. A. Cain. R. C. Frost. LOG-BOOK JOTTINGS B. O. Thorne, Bruneau, Idaho, likes stories of the frozen North and Western stories best, but his wife likes them all. C. C. Weber, Lakewood, Ohio, wants to know why he can’t have the old yellow cover for old time’s sake. L. E. Garner declares our magazine is the best he has ever read, and that he doesn’t think we need to change it. Mrs. H. M. Slearer sends one dollar for a year’s subseription with the explanation: “I have been reading my neighbor’s Arcosy, but must have my own.” She thought “Comrade Island” great. F. V. Bennett wants more of Zane Grey’s stories, and is glad we have cut out Jackson and Hawkins. F. E. Lux, Rochelle, [Hlinois, who has taken ‘THE ARGOSY ever since it was The Golden Argosy, writes that he cannot help noticing the improve- ment made, but is disappointed that we cut out the Hawkins tales. On this point he adds: “I notice your Hawkins knockers somehow remem- ber these stories even after others have been for- gotten. I'll wager, like myself, they always looked over the index, located the Hawkins story, read it first of all—and then reached for their hammers!” Aksel Stenvick, Wrangell, Alaska, thinks it his duty to register his appreciation of Casper Carson’s “ Castles in the Air.” Calls it a tonic for poor digestion. V. N. Feldhausen, Fern- wood, Idaho, in renewing his subscription takes occasion to say: “ Let the howlers howl, but THe ARGosy is the only magazine on the market for good stories. H. Bedford-Jones is some writer. Let us hear from him again soon.” Frank H. Sheridan, Beloit, Kansas, always looks first for a Hawkins story. Says he has never met a traveling man who was not amused by Hawkins. Ralph E. Hargis, U. S. S., Denver, writes that during seven years in the U. S. Navy THE ARcosy has followed him all over the world. Andrew T. Resch, Jersey City, New Jersey, thinks “ Why There Was a Murder on Pearl Street” fine and the opening instalment of “31754” a corker, and that “The Brides of Sana” wasn’t so bad that it couldn’t be worse. 1OOOLK C@