The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-03-27

for Lnn above written words He is strong,
po 'it..e character, just passing three score
and ten, years crowded with wonderful exps-
riences. As he told this story, he warmed
with the fire of the event and his blood was
hot with Indignation. for he had Just read
statement that Sheridan got drunk at Win
chester and did not go to the battle field, where
the poets pen has pictured him.
"Ah, hut I'll put an end to all cavil about
this story" said he. what have told you
got directly from Gen. Eckert himself, who
sat With his hand on the key, arranged and
watched every stage Of Sheritlan's ride from
Wa hington to Cedar Creek He now man
s-'..u the Western Union Telegraph compan
and will bear witness to these facts. But
have letter from Sheridan He and were
then, and are now, friends. When | heard Of
the ride, ] wrote to ask him about it and to
inquire if had not ridden the same horse
that carried him up the valley while with him
at Chattanooga. Mr. Murdoch soon found
among his papers the identical letter which
Gen. Sheridan wrote in reply
Il need not tell you how highly it is priced"
snid the veteran, ''for yon will see how care
fully it has been kept through all these
years.
"Who is there who has rad this country's
history that does not know James +. Muir
doeh--the actor, the reader. the man. 1t is
he who tells this story and furnishes this
clinchng evidence of the truthful foundation
Of T. Buchanan Reads poem Thousands
who have watched his matchless representa-
ton of Hamlet, or sat under the spell OF his
dramatic readings, Will he glad to know that,
although he is passing Is, he is still in excel
lent health and spirits. He is n tall robust
man. with clean shaven face tho. shows the
broad, distinct lines of his strong coantenanco
to the best advantage. His wealth of iron
gray hair and his general carriage combine
to make him very striking character.
although an old man when the war was
going on, he spent great deal of time with
the army in connection with the sanitary
commission and in the hospitals. He was u
favorite ut the headquarters of many gen
erals, and witnessel great deal OF the inner
features of army life.
TIE POEM SUGGESTED.
1.-THE story OF Sher1dan's ride above written.
was but 1.-THE of the good things he told
me. The recital OF this matter naturally led
up to all the Incidents connected with it
81 was not with Sheridan" he said. Eat
this time. but was at the headquarters Of
the army of the Cumh' land. Soon after
the hattie of Cedar Greek | came up to Gin
cinnati and was visiting Mr.. Cyrus Garrett,
whom we called Old Cyclops,' He was T.
Buchanan Reads brother -in-law. and with
him the poet made his home. The ladies of
Cincinnati had arranged to give me recep
ton, that finally turned into an ovation
| had given great many readings
10 raiSe fu2ds Ia assist their
Soldiers Aid society, and thcy were
going to Uresant me with silk
flag. Pixies opera .nsa had been secured,
the largest place of ainus+m ent in the city,
and they had made every arrangement to
have the reception II very drama'ic event.
The morning of the day it was to take placr
Read AN We're. as usual taking cur break
fast hate We had just finished, hut were
still sitting at the table chatting. Mr.. Gar
rett, the bro,her-in-aw, who was business
man and guided by business habits, came in
while We were thus lounging He wore an
air of impotence aud carried paper in his
hand He walked directly up to Read, un-
folded a copy of Harpers Weekly, and held 1t
up before the man 50 singularly gifted as both
poet and painter.
The whole front Of the paper was covered
with a striking picture representing Sheridan
seated on his black horse. just emerging from
II cloud Of dwt that rolled IN from the high
way a. he dashed along, followed by few
troopers.
There. said Mr. Garrett, addressing
Read. see what you have missed You
ought to have drawn that picture yourself
and gotten the credit OF it; it is just in your
line. The first thing You know somebody
will write poem on that event. and then
YOU will be beaten all around
Read lookei at the picture rather quizzi-
cally, u look which interrupted by saying:
Old Cyclops is right, Read, the sub jet and
the circumstance are worth poem
"'Oh, no, said Read, that theme has been
written to death. There is Paul Revers's
Ride" "Iochinvar" Tom Hoods wild
Steed of the Plains and half IA dozen other
poems of like character,
"Fllled with the idea that this was a good
chance for the gifted man. said; Read You
are losing great opportunity. II had such
IA poem to read at my reception tonight, it
would make great hit
"'But, Murdoch, you can't order poem
as YOU would n coat | cant write anything
in a few hours that will do either you II me
any credit he replied rather sharply.
Il turned TO him and said: Read, two or
or three thousand OF the warmest hearts in
Cincinnati will be in Pixies opera house to
night at that presentation. II will be n very
significant affair. Now, you go and give me
anything in rhyme, and will give it a de
lverance before that splendid audience, and
you can then revise and polish it before it
goes into print This view seemed to strike
him favorably and he finally said we'll
Well Wen see what can he done, and he
went upstairs to his room.
THE PoKr AT WORK.
"A half hour later Hattie, his wife, brill