Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-12
The Poetry Market.
Burlington Hawkeye.

A timid but really rather pretty
young man came stepping softly into
the Hawkeye sanctum yesterday after
noon when nobody was in but the ad-
vertisement solicitor, who was writing
a half column puff of Slab & Head
stones new marble shop. The young
mar took off his hat and said: Good
mOrning," and the advertising mar
snarled. What is poetry WORTH"
asked the timid but pretty young man.
Forty cents a line" said the ad-
vertisement man, promptly aud rather
tenderly, "and you can't do better
anywhere In America. The advan-
tages we offer for the publication Of
poetry are unsurpassed on either side
of the Mississippi. Our circulation,
standing in five figures the first year,
has steadily increased three times an
hour ever since, and poetry published
in this paper is placed in the hands OF
100000 families before night. How
much have your"
Perhaps" said tho timid young
man, fairly Keeling with delight, 1T is
a little too long"
makes no difference" said the ad.
man, beamiDg upon him kindly, wen
put it all in il we have to issue a sup
Dlement. Aud everything over 5000
lines goes at thirty five cents"
The timid young man looked disap.
pointed.
1T isn't SO much then" he said,
when it's very long2'
Never" replied the ad. man, mag,
unanimously. Never; less room, more
pay; that's the way you make your
living. Got your copy with you2"
Yes, sir" replied the young man,
joyiully; would you like 10 read it,
sir, or shall | read itP'
mo, don't care to read it Just now,
Sit down and we'll count it."
So they sat down and counted it.
My heart, my heart in throbbinG
numbers tells" read the ad. man
Heart medicine, young mani" he
asked,in the patronizing way of a mar
who knows everything.
mo, sir, replied the young man, in
amazed tones, while the ad. man
counted away for dear life. mo, sir
a rhapsody, sir"
"Oh, yes; yes, Of course" said the
ad. man, in r%eassuring tones. Hun.
dred nine, hund ten, hund 'leveu-
course, hund fourteen-hain't done
much in ~rhapsodies since Helmbolc
ailed-hund twent. thee-goodt things
though; we took a gross of 'em las
spring on Pad x Lotions column
hund for two-and | wore one myself
two weeks and it made-hund fft'-
four-man Of me. One hundred and
sixty eight lines, sir, and we'll throw
in a four line head and won't oounl
the odd half line--$65 20, call it ar
even $85, cash down. Just step down
TO the business Office and I'll give you
a receipt"
W. don't know what happened i'm.
mediately after that. We only know
that when the footman opened the
door OF the carriage to let US out al
the marble steps Of the Hawkeye of
fee, the ad, man was leaning on the
heavy bronze balusters, gazing won
deringly at the figure Of a young mar
walking unsteadily down tho street.
holding Tutoring manuscript In one
hall, and into the other clasping his
pallid brow.
"You may take my double column
head for a foot ball, sir" said the ad.
man, respectfully raising lis hat and
standing uncovered as we ascended
one broad stairway, IF that younl
fellow going down street isn't a three
square lunatic from GRANVILLE. he
wanted me TO pay him sixty-fvt
dollars for long rhymiDg puff without
a line OF business in it, sir"