isa-normaladvance-1909-00103

Description: THE NORMAL ADVANCE103longs to prose narration. It is the rare abilityto combine this rapid straightforward movement with real material and real thoughts thatmakes the great story teller, or lends his charmto matter-of-fact history. Therefore meter,the recognized measure of poetry, is not an essential of the movement of narration.While Malory, Scott, and Green each possessdistinctive qualities of mind which give rise toessential differences in their thought and theirways of presenting it, they have one point incommon: Each mans work has the generalmovement peculiar to good narration, whichpoint is not the least thing in attracting attention or holding interest.The future value of prose composition is infinite. Succeeding ages, demanding vigor,grace, and truth, will listen to nothing else.Already the masses are passing by the langor-ous beauty and the massy strength of poetry.Great literature, great art of any kind, hasalways made its appeal to the great mass ofmankind. It is right that it should. The greatmen of the future, as have the great men of thepast, will bring their best thoughts to the people in the most expressive form, which, at thistime, promises to be prose narration.A Twentieth Century FarmerMARGARET LAHEYOh, mercy! shrieked Emily, you nearlyran into that church steeple! Do be careful,Al.Alfred, chuckling, raised the airship a littlehigher.Say, Em, he exclaimed, I think youshould have sent them word were coming.I did, she replied. I sent Aunt Mary awireless telegram this morning. It really isntnecessary, you know, to send country people,especially like Uncle Si, word, because theyrealways ready for visitors.The}^ had now left the city behind and wereflying over the country.Oh, I see the house! exclaimed Emily,clapping her hands.They began descending. When they reachedthe ground, they tied the machine to an appletree and started in the direction of the house.A negro in a white duck suit was cutting thelawn.Hello there! shouted Al to him. Is Mr.Corntassel in?Yes sah, replied the darky, pausing inhis work. Go right in sah!They ran up to the veranda steps, and rangthe door bell. The lank hound, lying in thehallway opened one sleepy eye, stared at them,and shut it again.Soon a boy in livery came in the door andtook their cards. In a few moments there wasa great rustling of silk, and Mrs. Corntasselheaved into view.Oh, you dears, she gurgled, Im dee-lighted to see you. Come into the library.They went in. Diana, the daughter, wasplaying the pianola. She gave her coronet ofpuffs a vigorous push, her face another dab ofpowder, then jumped up, kissed Em and shookhands with Al. The guests seated themselvesand soon between a few ices and the electricfan were cooled off.Aunt Mary, began Em, Al and I wantto see the whole place. Were thinking of buying a farm. One might as well try to keephouse in a sardine-box as in a flat.Here comes Si, now, answered AuntMary. Hell take you round.Mr. Corntassel entered.Well, Ill be gosh-dinged! he exclaimed,shoving the tobacco to the other side of hismouth. There were more warm greetings.Si, said his wife, they want to see thefarm.
Source: http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34133
Collection: Indiana State University Archives

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