The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-07-02

understands him. that lf she does II ls more than he does himself. If we dis- sent from those who may be reasonably presumed .;o be familiar with all the pin- ductions of the distinguished Arkansas poet and the incidents ot thcir composi- ton. |, is Tn no spirit of arrogance or in- falliblliiy The following Is our lmpre>- sion. if not conviction. of the facts. con- nected with the song. its author and his friend. Johnny Coyle In December. tSsS, a painful rumor prevailed in every par, of the countl. al the death of General Pike m the indian Nation. sad tdings were for some time credited. and the press generally reviewed his life and wnt- Inss m Il tone "f kindly criticism. and la- mcnted his carly death. Pike soon turned up. amazed al the congratulations hc everywhere received on still being on thls side ef the S,yx. he hastened to Washing ton. and found many of his boon eempan- ions there m deepest woe al the news of his death. Iohn Coyle. long connected with the .takondi frfeiiigfneer. and the intimate friend of the poet. proposed that wake. an Irish one. should be gwen to the western bard. and tha, all the good fellows in and out of Washington. should be invited to the last sad ntes of the con vivai poet. The supper took place in January. 1850. and never before or since has Washington witnessed such night. The brightest spirits of tha, day. assem- bled at the festive board of Coyle. who had engaged professional singers Ia rcn- der ample justice to the songs composed for the occasion. Members of both houses of congress were there ihe legal and medical professions were ably repre- sen,ed. and the metropolitan press. as well as that ef Boston and Philadelphia. wiling ly contributed to the celebration of Ifke's obscques The learned Mackenzie. tha, kfliuo H6roynD,. was among the honored guests. and of,en declared that such a all hi, even,ful life.
 The proceedings of the evening began with song. written by Mir Burrell. fl Virginia. which was composed in close imitation of The Fine Arkansas Gentle man. and recountcd the circ g5as,anees of likes departure ior the Indian nation : ihcs supplies he took with him the Va rlous delegations of lndisn tribes tha, me, and welcomed him io tine chase of deer and buffalo. This hstorcal ballad pro- oeeds to narrate The rerurr the grateful poet made the children of inc forest for this generous hospitality; here the Virgin Ia poet betakes himself to prose. and pleasantly relates tha, the Arkansas brother gave the red man the best ln- sruotons n poker. euchrc ana old sledge. and also shared with them that precious elINlr known as old Bourbon The poe, now piumes his wing for lo'ties; flight. di>dains the further use of prose and pours forth full tide of song: the subject ~as worthy of rhls indignan; burst ,offeciIng. for Ii IS nothing less than the lylng reports of lrke's death. which men dacIous Fame had waited to the four cor ners of the globe
 No~ ~hiie he Fikc va ~aYsvrrg sff tha;
 such adventures br8nc
 Ise cards. ihe plpe and bottle and sech lisr
 fe0 ad-n ,hjnE>-
 >our sp4ipe~n Q; -dltor the i.ord had
 made in Ea8a.
 luse.t~- in hIs horrible accident column Nith larg- back border amid
 6eamph~n- 4ad ste.mtea, -Spiuslors
 Railroad collisions. -edEeiIons and
 Distractions. that h- aas a~ad agalu
 fhi> inc ArsSrs>s gentleman. close f5 the
 GhoCiav iine
 NIT. BurTeii eioqucn,iy paints the deep grief of the faro bankers of Washington en hearing of the poets death: ho~ they paused in the midst of game. and ID tears resolved to crape the bell for half al hou.. and interim; de4l:-' and the srea; loy that pervaded all classes ~hen Pike appeared once more. among them. The song closes with these clever lines: But Johnny Coyle an Irlshnaa the nexs re
 fused 10 take
 He ssore no gentleman ziee should cheat
 aim Of -as ~zke." "
 Inbounded applause followed ihfs per formanoe. and P,ke's song was loudly and lmpatlenilv demanded. Like the ballad of his friend Burell. |, is hlsiorieal. .nar- rating poe,callv his own death and sub sequen; passage to the land of ,fIe ieal" He implores Pluto for permission ,o come back ,o meet his old friends d, Coyles. and enjoy one more frolic xi,h them If the stern king 1i'l gran, hln this single favor the bard promises 10 return. and bring ~ltb him several good fellows that will be dear 10 the monarch: the poe, mentions their names. all of them prcsen, a' the entertainment. and one of whom. n tSo or three weeks after. perlshed IT