Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-23
A Glance at Robert Bonner,


New York Letter in Utica Observer.
The short and rather thick man wore hat
| that would have fitted few others In the wide
world, and his singularity of Uranium lay in the
diameter being as great, or greater, from ear to
| ear as from forehead to back. In all other re-
spects he was commonplace Of aspect; but he
had that decision Of manner and speech which
| indicates the person who has become self-conf-
dent through success. Such was Robert Bon
| ner dealer in sentimental literature, as he came
to the inner side Of his shop-counter. Outside
stood dainty, exquisite GIRL as shadowy in
physique as he was solid. and as timid and low
| IN utterance as he was bold and loud. She had
brought In some verses.
II will leave them for you to read if you
please" she said gently.
BY the blush on her cheeks, as he began to open
| the sheet of pages which she nervously handed
to him, it was plain to be seen that she had no
desire to be present when judgment was passed
upon ner effusiOn. But Bonner had no sympa-
thy for maidenly weakness like that.
You needn't bother to come twice" he said:
"1'll read them now"
A delicate perfume, disturbed by his rude un-
folding OF the paper, spread in the air. He read
the lines hastily shook his head decsively and
passed them back.
''Of no use to us," he remarked in an off.hand
way; mot poetry at all. Mechanically all right.
but without any expression OF a sentimental
idea"
The fragrant scent became more perceptlble,
just as though the dear girls exotic heart was
giving out sweet Odor in being crushed like a
flower. She went out quickly. / don't believe
she kept the tears back until she reached the
street. In the doorway she met a big man, from
whom, even In her confusion. she withheld the
merest touch OF her skirts by drawing them i'm
mediately aside. Not that he was repnlsive, but
his physique was heavy. his face red and his
whole personality grossly materialistic. She
nad poetic nature, as she was well aware, and
being ethereal, it was int0lerable to come into
was unmistakable whisky on his breath and to
bacco In his clothes. 1t was with evident revul-
sion That she returned past him, to lean across
the counter towards Bonner.
u did not expect to get any pay for my poe
try" she said
'.That wouldn't make any difference" was the
reply. '''O
As she departed the rude man threw down
yellow page that had been torn from q CHEAP
PAD. There were verses on it. Bonner read
them, took out his wallet, and handed a ten
dollar note to the caller who strobe out without
| word. Bonner allowed me to see the poem.
1t was frst-rate work, correct in construction.
imaginative In character and melodi0us in
rythm.
"And what was It the girl offereda" I asked
Trash, mere trash. BONNER replied.
ne toio me that the poems came into his
once at the rate Of 200 to 800 q week, though
nearly all by mail. and 80 In 100 worthless; also,
that he had several drawers crammed with
those which he had deemed meritorious enough
to buy. OF course, all publishers have more or
less OF such experience. The magazines are
especially made the recipients Of rhymed mat
ter. and 1t II not unusual for amateur anthora
with more money than genious, to offer to nav
literally for the insertion Of their contributions.
decline to believe that these purchases of space
In the magazines are never effected, although
the imbicility Of much Of the published verse is
almost convincing.