Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-09-14


" You are resposible for what
appears in your paper, I presume ?"
swell, yes; | suppose 1 am"
eyes, | thought so. Well, l
sent a short poem to be published
the other day-s mere triAe, l ad-
NIT, but suggested by the death of
Simon Sheldon, one of the most
citizens in this county.
"Ah, yes. And the poem did
not appear ? 1t is pity, but as
sure you-" >o
"The poem did appear, sir" in
terrupted the visitor, as he drew
forth copy of the paper from his
pocket. alt appeared, and that is
why l am herep I
The editor raised his eyebrows
interrogatiyely.
f" Yes, sir" continued the stran-
ger, unfolding the paper; "that is
why l am here. You may not
know it, sir, but have some repu-
tation in this section as a poet. MY
name is Twelvetrees = Obadiah
Twelvetrees. 1t was | who read
the ode at the Centennial celebra-
ton at jackson Corners. 1t was |
also who had the honor of being
selected poet on the occasion Of
the opening of the Jackson rail.
road. In one way and another, |
have become known to my fellow
tOwnsmen as a man of literary
tastes, and it was at the urgent re-
quest of the bereaved family that |
composed those verses on Simon
Sheldon's DEATH" htos
Well?" queried the editor, a
little impatiently.
swell, sir" rejoined Mr.. Twelve
trees, "thOse lines, as they appear
printed in your paper, would ruin
the reputation Of Henry Longfel-
low himself. Take the very first
line. AS wrote it it read thus:
Although he's gone, he's left a
wreath behind But how is il
printed? Why, thus: Although
gone, he's left his teeth behind.'"
"Thatis very stupid error on the
part of the printer" observed the
editor in a pacifying tone. H
"Stupid? | should say so! Ii
our late lamented fellow-townsmau
to be ridiculed because it was hii
misfortune to wear false teeth? Blu,
let US proceed. In the second stanzt
occurs this line: Firm truth hi
ever made a purpose set.' Is thai
what | find in the paper? No, sir
The line is distorted into the fol.
lowing: From youth he nevei
paid an honest debt May | ask
you, sir, what you think of that?'
81 think that is very bad, indeed
said the journalist gravely. cant
understand how"
"0tcourse you can't, interrupted
Mr. TwelVetrees, bringing the cottol
umbrella down with a thump.
"Nobody can understand why a
gentleman of the late Mr.. Sheldon.
standing should be libeled in such
a manner as that. But / have moi
given you a specimine yet. In tht
fourth stanza occurred this line
'He never sought for places in thu
land That, as yon may perceive
had reference to his refusal to rui
for the Assembly two years ago
Now, how is this delicate. allusioi
made to read? Listen: He neve
dealt five aces in a handP" Her
the poet removed his seedy silk ha
and wiped the perspiration iron
the lining. 1t was evident that b
was reaching a point where his in
dignation might lead him to d
something rash. II am not, Nj
Editor" he resumed-"I am not
man easily given to anger, but
submit that the provocation is her
: justifable for certain amount q
Indignation. | need not remin,
you that the late Mr. Sheldon wa
a member of the church, and neve
: played a game of cards in his life.
1T is certainly very unfotur
ate" repeated the editor, who wa
beginning to move restlessly in hi
chair. a
"Let me pass on to the seventl
stanza There, after referring t
: the well-known liberality of til
deceased, | introduced this line
He meted ont to all what iustic
9 asked When turn to your pa
! per / find that my muse is made re
sponsible for the following: I'll
> cheated somewhat tall, but seldom
passed. Now, | put to you as
b Christian, if you think that
right?" j
81 certainly do not" responde
e the editor" sod
"Take the eleventh stanza, col
, tinGed the poet. THAT is the or
: which was to have been put on M
Sheldon's monument, 1t containe
this line: "a thinker deep, he WI
the first of friends That was Q,
pressive aud neat. But what so.
!. Of an epitaph would this max,
which is the version | find in yor