The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-01
SOME WESTERN POETS.
A FEW OF THE LYRICAL LlTSRATI
OF WISCONSIN.
The Dangers of Firing Guns in the North
west-Pegasus on a Broad and Bountiful
Especial Correspondence


cannot fire gun in the state of Wisconsin
without hitting a poet; that women take
their hands from the dough to write sonnets
of true classic form and spirit: that they
compose epcs while doing the family darn
ing; that men turn from the duties of Office
from the perils and pleasures of travel by
land and sea, from the dull writing of briefs
and the duller writing of sermons to con-
struct the stately chant royal or the dainty
ballade or rondeau.
One unapprecative mortal, hearing the
first statement declared that he wished it
re true-there would be more cases of
didn't know it was loaded"
1t is further said that these same writers
have formed themselves into mutual ad-
miration society, and spend the time not
| given to rhyme making in plating wreaths
of laurel for each others brows, so to speak.
| Neither of these statements is strictly
correct. True it is that the glorious north
west has poets galore, but they do not GO
about the streets In droves, with eyes in fine
frenzy rolling, manuscripts in hand; and,
| though they love each other dearly as
brothers and sisters should they have been
known to write each other down as we'll as
up. Neither one nor the other makes much
difference with the public. 1t makes up its
| own mind 1t likes or disikes or is indiffer
emit without much regard to the opinion of
any one individual
But the public likes personalities 1t likes
to know how potts, romancers and the like
| lob ot Toll hot THAR Toe an5 ho hitq
are, where they live and how, and if they
do not care for an opinion upon the merits
of their work they like to know Of its
methods. Some of these l am going to tell.
At the mention of Mr.. Eben Rexfords
name one-half of those who read it will
probably begin to hum "Silver Threads
Among the Gold" while the other half will
assert that its "Only Pansy Blossom" Mr..
| Rexford wrote the words of these two very
popular songs, thereby securing a through
ticket TO Immortality, via the hearts of the
people He lives in Shioctin, Wis.
Here he writes verses cultivates flowers,
writes articles upon their culture for half q
dozen magazines, weaves romances and per.
forms the duties of postmaster By appoint
ing him to that Office the government shows
that it bears no ill-will to poets He is
q bachelor and, what is most unreasonable
and aggravating, a contented, happy one
The world which cloves a lover" has had
him the victim of hopeless attachment, OF
true to memory" many times, but there
seems to be nothing in facts to bear out the
suspicion. He seems automatically content
with his single estate He has no taste fol
general society While he enjoys a goot
play, lecture concert he is not tempted by
the glittering destinations of the church
social A Whittier-like shyness has been at
tributed to him. 1t has been said that HI
ran away from an editorial party last sum
mer. He disclaims the shyness and SCOTS a
the idea Of being afraid of any editoria
gang; says he has seen too many literary
folk to stand in any awe of them. Which
shows what disenchanter nearness is, o.
else what reckless bravery is his! Mr. Rex
ford openly and unhesitatingly declares that
he is not genius. If he has not indeed thu
divine madness, he has the poetic gifts and the
excellent characteristics of modesty and good
sense His admirers, however, are many ant
grant him far more than he claims which is
happier fate than falls to every poet Hi,
writings are in good demand. He makes sucl
an income from his literary labors as enable:
him to crafty his tastes some of which he
HuI1lCS dT6 GADSUolN6, anu " uoluo oOuic-
thing each year for the proverbial rainy day.
1t should be added that Mr.. Rexford is very
good looking man. And who needs the adj
vantage of good looks more tnan poet'
Mrs Sarah d. Hobart lives on farm near
Fall River, Wis. A generous prosperity
makes it possible for her to have all the
pleasures of country life, with few of its
cares and labors 1t is not said of her that she
| hoe traa tica ltIip
pursuits, or taken prize eat fair for the
traditional golden butter, though there isn't
a doubt but she could do either if she tried
She has passion for flowers, and is what
is called lucky hand in their cultivation.
A broomstick set in the earth by her would
feel it duty to bud and blossom. Mrs.
Hobart is the soul and center of happy
home Among young people she is favor
lite, at once companion and mentor. She has
the rare power of making women her enthu-
siastic friends; men admire and reverence
her. In conversation she is earnest, stimu'
lating, and yet restful There is an atmos
phere of steadfastness and sincerity about
her that inspires confidence. Personally
she is fair to see, with something of
that indescribable look that one imagnes
poets should have. Tall, with fair, pale
complexion, blue eyes, chestnut hair that
ripples from a white forehead to the back Of
small, well-shaped head. She writes good
stories and beautiful poems, excelling in the
descriptive, but she has surplus of that di
vine discomfort which is at once the torment
and the salvation Of the poet.
Carlotta Perry is of mediuu height and
slender figure, with beautiful hazel eyes
and an abundance of reddish. brown hair
Win wn1cn sne TOO nearly covers me
forehead. Her features are irregular, the
beauty of her face lies chiefly in it,
varying expression, which is by turn
thoughtful, tender, sparkling and inspiring.
She is curious mixture of frankness and re-
ticence, ofshyness and self-Praise. She isa fine
conversational, earnest, witty, with happy
faculty for getting at the heart of things
One of her literary friends says of her, "She
always puts me in tone for higher and better
work The basis of her character is sin
certify; the hearts of her friends may safely
trust in her.
She is not so fond of society as society Is
of her. Wealth and position do not affect
her estimate of people. She likes them fol
what they are and is faithful in her attach
ments, however the winds of fate may blow
Miss Perry stands in the front rank Of
western poets, writing fearlessly, intensely
and consceniously, taking true artist
delight in her work. Her contributions ap
pear everywhere She is represented in vari
Gus collections of prose and verse, from