Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

HOWARD PYLE: A CHRONICLE
says it is one of the best things that have been done in New
York illustrating.
"But enough of myself, for no doubt you are somewhat
anxious to know what Messrs. Parsons, Alden, Abbey, and
Co. are like.
"Well, let us begin with Mr. Parsons, as he is at present
my mainstay in New York. He is distinctly American in
appearance; not the lanky, cadaverous American cast though.
He has a bald forehead, and gray hair which he brushes
back, a gray beard, and wears glasses. He is like a certain
class of Americans whom one meets every day, but I just
can't think of any particular one just now. He is kind,
cordial, and in every way encouraging; praises my work
and tells me to go ahead and I'm sure to win. He is a
gentleman, and a gentleman of refined tastes.
"Mr. Drake of Scribner's, on the other hand, is almost
the antitype of Mr. Parsons. He is a very youngish man of
about thirty-five or forty, but as bald as a bat, with the exception of a few thin scraggly hairs about the nape of his
neck. His head looks like an egg, and sits with a sort of
pendulous ease on a skinny neck. He has a thin, scraggly
beard and moustache. He has a habit of dropping his lower
jaw and scratching the beard on his chin in a vague uncertain manner. Yet, in spite of this vagueness and uncertainty, he always manages to get things cheaper than what
the artists ask for them. Abbey tells a very characteristic
story, which, whether it is true or not, applies very patly
to Mr. Drake.
"'A poor devil of an artist brings a picture to him.
"'Drake: How much shall I give you for this?
"'1 P. D. of an A.: Twenty dollars.
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