THE CQJJHIER
11
Tkthn Tavorite:
Gistory a JJ00d00
"Fiction In unlimited quantities is
what the people want from this
library. And Just-at present the cry
ing demand Is for 'The Crisis' and 'The
Right o' Way.' "
It was a busy assistant at the city
library who answered the inquiry of a
Courier representative concerning the
popular books of the hour. And she
volunteered the information that It
would be utterly impossible to get one
of the volumns specified without leav
ing a postal card with name and ad
dress. After that one would have to
hurry to the scene and claim the vol
ume, returning it promptly In seven
days.
Books are popular today; tomorrow
the dust gathers on them for some
unaccountable reason. Frequently
there is a second season of public fa
vor and. then again there isn't.
"A novel nowadays is generally fleet
ing in gaining the favor of the reading
public. A cursory examination, a cry-
; lng demand for a few months and the
' volume is succeeded by another favo-
rite. If the work is dramatized and
the title adorns the billboards there is
always another season of popularity.
Otherwise there is danger of speedy
oblivion.
"Such boolcs as 'Richard Carvel' and
'Janice Meredith' keep on the go and
j never remain very long on the shelves.
5 Time was when these volumes took
first place.
"After the latest works of fiction, the
strongest demand seems to be for the
j works of President Roosevelt. In all
S parts of the city there appears to be a '
desire to read what he has written.
The books are carefully perused, too,
as is shown by the length of time they
are kept and their condition when re
turned. "But the people of Lincoln are not
reading history. With but two excep
tions all the historical works either re
main on the shelves or go to high
school students who have to look up
references. Indeed the special cases(
are students who are making a spe
cialty of religious history. '
"Of course we have manyJjooks ont
history that have never beendffythe
shelves. The same'lsrtrue ofimany
biographies, volumes an travel,.' dis
sertations on philosophy'. and-Jslmllar
works. The reading public ot'Uncoln
does not seem to fancy" this" sort of
reading.
"Three very expensive volumes In
history have never"been drawn out.
It's truly disappointing. We all thought
we were getting a rare bargain when
three volumes of Massachusetts state
history were purchased for $16.50. Two
of the books were so rare that they
were perfect prizes. There has not
been .a single call for them.
" 'American Engineers In China' Is a
volume that is frequently demanded.
African travels interest many readers.
So do the writings of Booker T. Wash
ington. French history no longer seems
to be attractive except works on the
life and career of Napoleon. These are
always in circulation.
"Such works as 'Social England,"
'Life and Speeches of John Adams,'
and the works of Calhoun have never
been drawn out of the library. Dust
has to be frequently removed from
Gibbon and Macaulay in these days.
"Strange as it may seem authors on
literary criticism have a large number
of readers. In Lincoln there are sev
eral" women who have read everything
obtainable on the technique of author
ship. Along with this they read book
reviews and the latest works of fiction.
Then, too, th"ey keep a close tab on
periodical and magazine articles.
"Generally speaking, the books that
start In with a steady demand are the
ones longest sought by the public.
Take for instance 'Monsieur Beaucaire.'
'Via Crucls' and "Tommy and Grizzel.'
An examination of the records shows
that these volumes will almost "equal
the circulation of the more hotly de
manded works. They stay by the pop
ulace and when the prime favorites are
not to be had, they are called for.
"Louisa M. Alcott is still the favo
rite juvenile author. Of course there'
are othera widely read, but with the
children of this city she has first place.
"Lincoln authors are widely read.
Professors Sherman and Caldwell have
their readers, although the strongest
contingent find solace in the state uni
versity library. The same Is true of
Chancellor Andrews. William Reed
Dunroy, Miss Flora Bullock, H. G.
Shedd, Miss Morton, George ShedH,
Mrs. Sewell and Mrs. Woods are kindly
remembered by local readers. During
the last few days the latest books of
Professor Sherman and ex-Chancellor
Canfleld have been purchased."
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ALTON D. BENWAY.
Alton D. Benway, president of the Lincoln Shade company, was born
In Cordova, Illinois, thirty-seven years ugo. His early days were spent
on the farm but he managed to receive a fair common school education.
For a time he was a clerk on a Mississippi river steamboat. After
this he entered a business college at Davenport, Iowa, and then began a
business career. In 1887 he came to Lincoln where he has since remained.
For fourteen years he was connected with the firm of Rudge & Guen
zel, four years as bookkeeper and ten years as secretary and treasurer.
Close confinement affected his health and caused his retirement. Several
months ago he became one of the largest owners of the Lincoln Shade
company and was made president.
The concern Is purely a. local enterprise, backed by Lincoln money
and energy. Window shades of all sorts are manufactured. Both retail
and wholesale orders are filled. The prices are quoted in competition with
Chicago and the firm offers the customer the difference In freight. The
company was organized fifteen months ago.
Mr. Benway has made an enviable reputation for business Integrity
and sagacity.- Under his management the success of the company seems
assured.
tee.tfr 1 1
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