A Printer’s Boy, Self Taught, Becomes the Dean of American Letters.
“I SHOULD like, Mr. Howells,” said I, by way of opening my interview
with the famous novelist, “to learn your opinion concerning what
constitutes success in life. You should have the American view?”
“Not necessarily,” said the novelist, seating himself.
“Do you share the belief that everything is open to the beginner who
has sufficient energy and perseverance?”
“Add brains, and I will agree,” said Mr. Howells with a smile. “A young
man stands at the ‘parting of two ways,’ and can take his path this way
or that. It is comparatively easy then, with good judgment. Youth is
certainly the greatest advantage which life supplies.”
“You began to carve out your place in life under conditions very
different from those of to-day?”
“Yes. I was born in a little southeastern Ohio village,—Martin’s
Ferry,—and, of course, I had but little of what people deem advantages
in the way of schools, railroads, population, and so on. I am not
sure, however, that compensation was not had in other things.”
“Do you consider that you were specially talented in the direction of
literary composition?”
“I should not say that. I think that I came of a reading race, which
had always loved literature in a way. My inclination was to read.”
“Would you say that, with a special leaning toward a special study,
and good health, a fair start, and perseverance, anyone can attain to
distinction?”