GEORGE W. CABLE was born in New Orleans in 1844. He obtained an ordinary public-school education. His early life was spent as a clerk in a commercial office, varied by successful contributions to "The New Orleans Picayune" under the signature of "Drop-Shot." In 1863 he joined the Confederate Army, and served in the Fourth Regiment Mississippi Cavalry, until the end of the civil war. His first literary work to attract general attention was a short story, "Sieur George," published in the old "Scribner's Monthly." To that periodical he contributed numerous other sketches of creole life, which were published in book form in 1879. Other stories and articles followed, and Mr. Cable, after working up to a leading position in the mercantile world, from that of an errand boy, devoted himself to literature as a profession. "The Grandissimes," in 1880, "Madame Delphine," 1881, "The Creoles of Louisiana" and "Dr. Sevier," 1884, established him in a high place amongst modern authors. His knowledge of the South, and his studies among the creoles and negroes, made him an authority upon the questions relating to the past and future of the negro and the southern States, and involved him in numerous and heated discussions. "The Silent South," 1885, and "The Negro Question," 1890, are the most prominent of his works on this subject. As a lecturer and reader he is widely known. THOMAS B. REED. [Illustration: 1860. AT GRADUATION.] [Illustration: 1864. ON ENTERING THE NAVY.] [Illustration: Thomas B. Reed, Portland Me, 17 July 1893] FRANCES E. WILLARD. [Illustration: FROM AN EARLY PICTURE.] [Illustration: AGE 20. 1859.] [Illustration: AGE 37. 1876.] [Illustration: MISS WILLARD AT THE PRESENT DAY.] EDGAR WILSON NYE. [Illustration: AGE 20. 1870.] [Illustration: AGE 28. 1878.] [Illustration: "BILL NYE" AT THE PRESENT DAY.] [Illustration: "BILL NYE" AT THE PRESENT DAY.] GEORGE W. CABLE. [Illustration: AGE 9. 1853.] [Illustration: 1874. FIRST SKETCHES OF CREOLE LIFE.] [Illustration: AGE 19. 1863.] [Illustration: 1882. "DOCTOR SEVIER."] [Illustration: AGE 24. 1868.] [Illustration: AGE 40. 1884. "BONAVENTURE."] [Illustration: MR. CABLE IN 1892.] THE JONESES' TELEPHONE BY ANNIE HOWELLS FRECHETTE. [Illustration: THE JONESES' TELEPHONE] "Now, we won't be selfish with our telephone, will we, dear? We will let a few friends use it occasionally--it will be such a pleasure and a convenience," and Mrs. Jones stood off and looked admiringly at the new telephone.