The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-18
THE LATE LITERARY CONVENTION.
The Chicago Contingent Relates Its Expert
ences in the Rooster Capital.

The Chicago Contingent Relates It's Expert
ences in the Eoosier Capital.
Chicago News.
The Chicago people who went down to In
dianapolis last Tuesday to attend the convention
of Western writer's have returned, and they are
telling great many amusing stories of their
experiences. 1t would appear that the conven-
ton was not as numerousy attended its pro-
moters had hoped it would be; the mistake
seems to have been in calling a second conven-
ton so after the date of the first--once
year is dtten enough for authors and poets to
eet0 together for consultation. The Chicago
delegates were treated very Hospitality, and it is
perhaps to their credit that they took no part in
the proceedings, except to stand around, look
dignifed, anG hear what the other people had to
say.
$50 you're from Chicago, are you?' would be
the first question asked.
''Yes"
"What have you written~
Here would follow a modest confession, made
in tones indicative of embarrassment
"But have you never written anything for the
CURRENT" and this question would he put with
an expression of countenance that seemed to
add IF you have. you must be all right; bat If
you haven't, you can't amount to much"
The rooms of the Chicago contingent were the
resort of the rural litterateurs with something
to read you for your private opinion" Poets
came in from every part of Indiana and each Of
these poets had a bundle of original dialecs
poetry. Mad because they were not billed in the
programme of the convention, these inspired
creatures insisted upon reading their verses to
every body they met. Mr.. Maurice Thompson
seems to have been the man who impressed
the Chicago visitors most favorably; he
was the president of the convention. and
one of the first things he did was to tell
the poets that they we're nuisances. AS the
convention proceeded and bedam began to pre-
vail, Mr. Thompson sat quietly in his chair re-
garding the scene with an expression of hope
lessnesS and contempt comminged. When the
last hours of the convention drew on apace the
poets and authors. made a constant tumult for
the privilege of reading their poems and things.
Of course there was not time for all to be heard,
and the result was that each tried to make him
self or herself heard. The confusion was indie
scrlbably ludcrous.
Bill Nye was so disguised that he retired
early from the FRAY; and SO did James Whit
comb Riley. THOMPSON staid because he had to.
One old lady. about seventy five years OF age,
had prepared poem. but when she looked IN ner
retlcue for the manuscript she could not find 1t.
Her efforts to recover her lost poem would have
been funny had they not been pathetic She
set every body to looking under the chairs and
on the tables for the manuscript, and even the
cover of the piano was lifted In the suspicion
that the lost poem might have found its way into
that instrument.
"Oh, I'm So glad to meet you" said one gush-
ing Hoosier litterateur to o Chicago lady, "for
you can tell me whether the author of The
Humber Poets came down from Chicago with
you. would so like to see him.!
1t was good thing for the gentleman in ques-
ton that he was thousand miles away. But
there we're constant aud numerous inquiries aft
er him by poets and poeteSses who claimed TO
| have several little gems of their own which
| they felt he would 'be glad to add to his col
| lection"
At first ii was determined to hold the next
! convention in Chicago. but subsequently this
| determination was reconsidered and the execu-
| tive committee was empowered to call the next
| convention at any place it might choose. One
! of the Indiana poetesses approached Chicago
| visitor and said, triumphantly "Wel, you
| aren't going to get it, after ALL"
"Get WHAT"
"The next convention"
"Well that is a matter that doesn't concern
| me at ALL replied the Cnicaeoan. "Pm not here
| representing Chicago; I've come simply to report
| your proceedings for my paper"
| "Oh, yes. Lknow" said the poetess, "but Chi
| cago has acted so indifferent about it that she
can't have it now. Why, if they had agreed
| upon Terry Hut, I'd have risen right up in the
| convention and thanked 'em and bid EN- well
| comet"