In haste and truly yours,
W. S. P.
[It was hard to get O. Henry to take an interest in his books. He was always eager to be at the undone work, to be writing a new story instead of collecting old ones. This letter came from North Carolina. It shows how much thought he gave always to titles.]
[It was hard to get O. Henry to take an interest in his books. He was always eager to be at the undone work, to be writing a new story instead of collecting old ones. This letter came from North Carolina. It shows how much thought he gave always to titles.]
Land o’ the Sky, Monday, 1909.
My dear Colonel Steger: As I wired you to-day, I like “Man About Town” for a title.
But I am sending in a few others for you to look at; and if any other suits you better, I’m agreeable. Here they are, in preferred order:
The Venturers.
Transfers.
Merry-Go-Rounds.
Babylonica.
Brickdust from Babel.
Babes in the Jungle.
If none of these hit you right, let me know and I’ll get busy again. But I think “Man About Town” is about the right thing. It gives the city idea without using the old hackneyed words.
I am going to write you a letter in a day or so “touchin’ on and appertainin’ to” other matters and topics. I am still improving and feeling pretty good. Colonel Bingham has put in a new ash-sifter and expects you to come down and see that it works all right.
All send regards to you. You seem to have made quite a hit down here for a Yankee.