All send regards to you. You seem to have made quite a hit down here for
a Yankee.
Salutations and good wishes.
Yours,
S. P.
[This letter was found unfinished, among his papers after
his death. His publishers had discussed many times his writing
of a novel, but the following letter constitutes the only
record of his own opinions in the matter. The date is surely
1909 or 1910.]
My Dear Mr. Steger: My idea is to write the story of a man - an
individual, not a type - but a man who, at the same time, I want to
represent a "human nature type," if such a person could exist. The story
will teach no lesson, inculcate no moral, advance no theory.
I want it to be something that it won't or can't be - but as near as I
can make it - the TRUE record of a man's thoughts, his description of
his mischances and adventures, his TRUE opinions of life as he has seen
it and his ABSOLUTELY HONEST deductions, comments, and views upon the
different phases of life that he passes through.
I do not remember ever to have read an autobiography, a biography, or a
piece of fiction that told the TRUTH. Of course, I have read stuff such
as Rousseau and Zola and George Moore and various memoirs that were
supposed to be window panes in their respective breasts; but, mostly,
all of them were either liars, actors, or posers. (Of course, I'm not
trying to belittle the greatness of their literary expression.)
All of us have to be prevaricators, hypocrites and liars every day of
our lives; otherwise the social structure would fall into pieces the
first day. We must act in one another's presence just as we must wear
clothes. It is for the best.
The trouble about writing the truth has been that the writers have kept
in their minds one or another or all of three thoughts that made a
handicap - they were trying either to do a piece of immortal literature,
or to shock the public or to please editors. Some of them succeeded in
all three, but they did not write the TRUTH. Most autobiographies are
insincere from beginning to end. About the only chance for the truth to
be told is in fiction.
It is well understood that "all the truth" cannot be told in print - but
how about "nothing but the truth"? That's what I want to do.
I want the man who is telling the story to tell it - not as he would to
a reading public or to a confessor - but something in this way: Suppose
he were marooned on an island in mid-ocean with no hope of ever being
rescued; and, in order to pass away some of the time he should tell a
story to HIMSELF embodying his adventure and experiences and opinions.
Having a certain respect for himself (let us hope) he would leave out
the "realism" that he would have no chance of selling in the market; he
would omit the lies and self-conscious poses, and would turn out to his
one auditor something real and true.
So, as truth is not to be found in history, autobiography, press reports
(nor at the bottom of an H. G. Wells), let us hope that fiction may be
the means of bringing out a few grains of it.
The "hero" of the story will be a man born and "raised" in a somnolent
little southern town. His education is about a common school one, but
he learns afterward from reading and life. I'm going to try to give him
a "style" in narrative and speech - the best I've got in the shop. I'm
going to take him through all the main phases of life - wild adventure,
city, society, something of the "under world," and among many
characteristic planes of the phases. I want him to acquire all the
sophistication that experience can give him, and always preserve his
individual honest HUMAN view, and have him tell the TRUTH about
everything.
It is time to say now, that by the "truth" I don't mean the
objectionable stuff that so often masquerades under the name. I mean
true opinions a true estimate of all things as they seem to the "hero."
If you find a word or a suggestive line or sentence in any of my copy,
you cut it out and deduct it from the royalties.
I want this man to be a man of natural intelligence, of individual
character, absolutely open and broad minded; and show how the Creator
of the earth has got him in a rat trap - put him here "willy nilly" (you
know the Omar verse); and then I want to show what he does about it.
There is always the eternal question from the Primal Source - "What are
you going to do about it?"
Please don't think for the half of a moment that the story is going to
be anything of an autobiography. I have a distinct character in my mind
for the part, and he does not at all
[Here the letter ends. He never finished it.]
THE STORY OF "HOLDING UP A TRAIN"
[In "Sixes and Sevens" there appears an article entitled
"Holding Up a Train." Now the facts were given to O. Henry
by an old and dear friend who, in his wild avenging youth,
had actually held up trains. To-day he is Mr. Al. Jennings,
of Oklahoma City, Okla., a prominent attorney. He has
permitted the publication of two letters O. Henry wrote
him, the first outlining the story as he thought his friend
Jennings ought to write it, and the second announcing that,
with O. Henry's revision, the manuscript had been accepted.
From W. S. Porter to Al. Jennings, September 21st (year not
given but probably 1902).]
DEAR PARD:
In regard to that article - I will give you my idea of what is wanted.
Say we take for a title "The Art and Humor of the Hold-up" - or something
like that. I would suggest that in writing you assume a character. We
have got to respect the conventions and delusions of the public to a
certain extent. An article written as you would naturally write it would
be regarded as a fake and an imposition. Remember that the traditions
must be preserved wherever they will not interfere with the truth. Write
in as simple, plain and unembellished a style as you know how. Make your
sentences short. Put in as much realism and as many facts as possible.
Where you want to express an opinion or comment on the matter do it as
practically and plainly as you can. Give it LIFE and the vitality of
FACTS.
Now, I will give you a sort of general synopsis of my idea - of course,
everything is subject to your own revision and change. The article,
we will say, is written by a TYPICAL train hoister - one without your
education and powers of expression (bouquet) but intelligent enough to
convey his ideas from HIS STANDPOINT - not from John Wanamaker's. Yet,
in order to please John, we will have to assume a virtue that we do
not possess. Comment on the moral side of the proposition as little as
possible. Do not claim that holding up trains is the only business a
gentleman would engage in, and, on the contrary, do not depreciate a
profession that is really only financiering with spurs on. Describe the
FACTS and DETAILS - all that part of the proceedings that the passenger
sitting with his hands up in a Pullman looking into the end of a tunnel
in the hands of one of the performers does not see. Here is a rough
draft of my idea: Begin abruptly, without any philosophizing, with your
idea of the best times, places and conditions for the hold-up - compare
your opinions of this with those of others - mention some poorly
conceived attempts and failures of others, giving your opinion why - as
far as possible refer to actual occurrences, and incidents - describe
the manner of a hold-up, how many men is best, where they are stationed,
how do they generally go into it, nervous? or joking? or solemnly. The
details of stopping the train, the duties of each man of the gang - the
behavior of the train crew and passengers (here give as many brief odd
and humorous incidents as you can think of). Your opinions on going
through the passengers, when is it done and when not done. How is the
boodle gotten at? How does the express clerk generally take it? Anything
done with the mail car? UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WILL A TRAIN ROBBER
SHOOT A PASSENGER OR A TRAIN MAN - suppose a man refuses to throw up
his hands? Queer articles found on passengers (a chance here for some
imaginative work) - queer and laughable incidents of any kind. Refer
whenever apropos to actual hold-ups and facts concerning them of
interest. What could two or three brave and determined passengers do if
they were to try? Why don't they try? How long does it take to do the
business. Does the train man ever stand in with the hold-up? Best means
of getting away - how and when is the money divided. How is it mostly
spent. Best way to manoeuvre afterward. How to get caught and how not
to. Comment on the methods of officials who try to capture. (Here's your
chance to get even.)
These ideas are some that occur to me casually. You will, of course,
have many far better. I suggest that you make the article anywhere from
4,000 to 6,000 words. Get as much meat in it as you can, and, by the
way - stuff it full of western, GENUINE slang - (not the eastern story
paper kind). Get all the quaint cowboy expressions and terms of speech
you can think of.
INFORMATION is what we want, clothed in the peculiar western style of
the character we want to present. The main idea is to be NATURAL,
DIRECT, AND CONCISE.
I hope you will understand what I say. I don't. But try her a whack and
send it along as soon as you can, and let's see what we can do. By the
way, Mr. "Everybody" pays good prices. I thought I would, when I get
your story, put it into the shape my judgment decides upon, and then
send both your MS. and mine to the magazine. If he uses mine, we'll
whack up shares on the proceeds. If he uses yours, you get the check
direct. If he uses neither, we are out only a few stamps.
Sincerely your friend,
W. S. P.
[And here is the letter telling his "pard" that the article
had been bought by _Everybody's Magazine_. This is dated
Pittsburg, October 24th, obviously the same year:]
DEAR PARD.
You're It. I always told you you were a genius. All you need is to
succeed in order to make a success.
I enclose pubrs letter which explains itself. When you see your baby in
print don't blame me if you find strange ear marks and brands on it. I
slashed it and cut it and added lots of stuff that never happened, but I
followed your facts and ideas, and that is what made it valuable. I'll
think up some other idea for an article and we'll collaborate again some
time - eh?
I have all the work I can do, and am selling it right along. Have
averaged about $150 per month since August 1st. And yet I don't
overwork - don't think I ever will. I commence about 9 A. M. and
generally knock off about 4 or 5 P. M.
As soon as check mentioned in letter comes I'll send you your "sheer" of
the boodle.
By the way, please keep my _nom de plume_ strictly to yourself. I don't
want any one to know, just yet.
Give my big regards to Billy. Reason with him and try to convince him
that we believe him to be pure merino and of more than average width.
With the kindest remembrances to yourself I remain,
Your friend,
W. S. P.
[At this time O. Henry was unknown and thought himself lucky
to sell a story at any price.]