The short story is the simplest of all forms of literary
composition. It is at the same time by far the most lucrative. It
has become (to use one of Dr. Caliban’s most striking phrases)
“part of the atmosphere of our lives.” In a modified form, it
permeates our private correspondence, our late Baron Reuter’s
telegraphic messages, the replies of our cabinet ministers,
the rulings of our judges; and it has become inseparable from
affirmations upon oath before Magistrates, Registrars, Coroners,
Courts of Common Jurisdiction, Official Receivers, and all others
qualified under 17 Vic. 21, Caps. 2 and 14; sub-section III.
To return to the short story. Its very reason for being (_raison
d’être_) is simplicity. It suits our strenuous, active race; nor
would I waste the student’s time by recalling the fact that, in
the stagnant civilization of China, a novel or play deals with the
whole of the hero’s life, in its minutest details, through seventy
years. The contrast conveys an awful lesson!
Let us confine ourselves, however, to the purpose of these lines,
and consider the short story; for it is the business of every true
man to do what lies straight before him as honestly and directly as
he can.
The Short Story, on account of its simplicity, coupled with the
high rates of pay attached to it, attracts at the outset the
great mass of writers. Several are successful, and in their eager
rapture (I have but to mention John and Mary Hitherspoon) produce
such numerous examples of this form of art, that the student may
ask what more I have to teach him? In presenting a model for his
guidance, and reproducing the great skeleton lines upon which the
Short Story is built up, I would remind my reader that it is my
function to instruct and his to learn; and I would warn him that
even in so elementary a branch of letters as is this, “pride will
have a fall.”
It is not necessary to dwell further upon this unpleasant aspect of
my duty.
Let us first consider where the writer of the Short Story stands
before the Law. What is her Legal Position as to (_a_) the length,
(_b_) the plot of a short story which she may have contracted to
deliver on a certain date to a particular publisher, editor, agent,
or creditor? The following two decisions apply:--
[Sidenote: =Mabworthy v. Crawley.=]
_Mabworthy v. Crawley._--Mrs. Mabworthy brought an action against
Crawley & Co. to recover payment due for a short story ordered of
her by defendant. Defendant pleaded lack of specific performance,
as story dealt with gradual change of spiritual outlook, during
forty years, of maiden lady inhabiting Ealing. It was held by Mr.
Justice Pake that the subject so treated was not of “ordinary
length.” Judgment for the defendant. Mrs. Mabworthy, prompted
by her sex, fortune, and solicitor to appeal, the matter was
brought before the Court of Appeal, which decided that the word
“ordinary” was equivalent to the word “reasonable.” Judgment for
the defendant, with costs. Mrs. Mabworthy, at the instigation of
the Devil, sold a reversion and carried the matter to the House
of Lords, where it was laid down that “a Short Story should be of
such length as would be found tolerable by any man of ordinary
firmness and courage.” Judgment for the defendant.