The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-31
SHERIDAN'S RIDE.
James r. Murdoch's Story Of the First
Reading of the Poem "Sheri.
dams Ride.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press retells the story of Sheridan's
ride, as told by James Z, Murdoch.
This leads to talk with Murdoch about
Reads poem:
Il was not with Sheridan Murdoch
said, lat this time, but was at the head
quarters Of the army of the Cumber-
land. Soon after the battle of Cedar
Creek | came up to Cincinnati and was
visiting Mr. Cyrus Garrett, whom we
called Old Cyclops.' He was T. Buch-
snan Read, brother-in-law. and with
him the poet made his home. The
ladies Of Cincinnati had arranged to
give me reception, that finally turned
into an ovation. had given a great
many readings to raise funds to assist
their Soldier Aid Society, and they
were going TO present me with silk
flag. Pixies Opera House had been
secured the largest place of amuse-
ment in the city. and they had made
every arrangement to have the recep-
ton very dramatic event. The morn
ing Of the day il was TO take place Read
and were, as usual, taking our break
fast late. We had just finished, but
were still sitting at the table chatting.
Mr.. Garrett, the brother-in-law, who
was business man and guided by bus
mess habits, came in while we were
thus longing He wore an
AIR or IMPATIESCE
| and carried apaper in mis- hand He
walked directly up to Read, unfolded
a copy Of Harper'S Weekly and held it
up before the man 50 singularly gifted
as both poet and painter.
| The whole front Of the paper was
covered with striking picture repre-
senting Sheridan seated on his black
horse, just emerging from cloud of
dust that rolled up from the highway
as ne dashed along followed by a few
| troopers.
| There, said Mr. Garrett, address,
Ing Read, see what YOU have missed.
You ought to have drawn that picture
yourself and gotten the credit Of it; it
is justin your line. The first thing
you know somebody will write poem
on that event and then you will be
beaten all around.
Read looked at the picture rather
quizzically, look which | interrupted
by saying: OldCyclops is right, Read,
the subject and the circumstance are
worth poem.
oh no, said Read, that theme
has been written to death. There is
Paul Revere's Ride .Lochinvar,
Tom Hood wild Steed of the Plains
and half dozen other poems of like
character.
"FILLED WITH THE IDEA
that this was a good chance for the
gifted man, said: Read, you are
losing great opportunity. II | hat
such poem to read at my reception
tonight it would make a great hit
But, Murdoch, you can't order
poem as you would coat. l can
write anything in few hours that will
40 either you or me any credit, he re
piled rather sharply.
Il turned to him and said: Read
1000 or 5000 of the warme.t hearts /,
Cincinnati will be in Pixies Oper
House tonight at that presentation
1t will be very significant affair
Now you go and give me anything l.
d rhyme, and | will give it deliveranc
e before that splendid audience, and yo
o, can then revise and polish it before
N goes into print. This view seemed +
N; strike him favorably, and he tnall
oct said: well! Well! Well see what ca
" De DONE and he went upstairs to hi
ny. room.
- "A half hour later Hattie, his wife
brilliant woman, who is now resit
+. ing, IN Philadelphia, came down an
=. lie wants pot Of strong tea. II
'; told me to get it for him and then
1,s would lock the door and must not
70 disturbed unless the house was Gro
;. Time wore on, and in our tall q
" other matters in the family circle, "