St. Landry democrat., 1888-09-08
THE POETS DIARY.
Glimpses at the Daily Life of an Unappre-
ciated American Genius.

cfated American Genius
A Asoiled blank book, tied with string,
was lately picked up on the Battery by
q policeman. 1t appears to be the
| fragment of a diary; but what it is all
about, nobody seems to know. In the
hope that somebody will come forward
and throw light on tho subject, an ex-
tract is here given:
MAY MAILED death, an Allego-
ry," to Harpers'. Must finish epic
poem by 1st of June. | notice that
there is a dearth of epic poems in the
market, just now. Who knows that |
am destined-- But will not anticipate.
MAY 2.-Spent nine hours revising
'Mush-e-mush-tush, Legend of Wyo.
ming Valley" Think it my best work.
Sent it to Scribner's this P. NJ Re.
ceived by morning mail four sonnets
from Overland Monthly. Hardly ex-
pected to see them SO soon. | suspect
the editor did not read them.
MAY 5.-Received letters from Har.
pers'-a check? No! Send stamps
for return of Death.'' How cold! Sent
seven children's poems to Youths Com.
pani0n, and Blue and Gray to South
ern Magazine.
MAY 7.-Nothing from !Scribner's for
five days. They must have taken
"Mush-e-mush-tush
MAY 1G--One poem returned from
Peterson's, and one from Godeys.
Might have known better than to try
Philadelphia. Believe l will try my
hand at comic rhymes. Can easily veil
my identity under nom, aud Ha7per's
will never know it. A brilliant idea
strikes me: Lines on & Mother-in-
law
MAY lin excellent vein to-day,
and wrote three cantos of epic poem.
Wonder why Scribmer's has not sent
check?
MAY 14.-Sent eight comic poems to
Judge, and eight to Puck. Mere child's
play to ME. However, the money will
be useful. ''To Jennie's Eyes" returned
from Cosmopolitan COLLECT 4 cents).
MAY 16.-Received ''Mush-e-mush-
tush" from dead-letter Office to-day.
Seems l forgot to stamp the envelope in
my excitement. Sent it to Scri6ner's |
again: Also sent two madrigals and |
quatrain to Century. |
MAY 18,-Received death from Har- |
pers' to-day, and promptly mailed 1t to
american Magazine. By heavens! l
will succeed in the path have chosen.
MAY 22.-Finished epic poem to-day,
and sent it to atlantic with request to
submit to Holmes. Eureka! this is
fame. Another poem returned from
Overland to-day. No remarks. Well,
am glad of it.
MAY Co." -"Mush-e-mush-tu -tush" came
oack this morning. This Is @ conspis-
ICY. Sent it to Prairie Farmer. Sent
,wo war poems to Grand Army Scout
md Mail. They pay handsomely,
lear.
MAY 27.-''Blue and Gray from
Southern Magazine, ana epic poem from
this morning. Holmes never
'edQ lts LII sure. he was AFRAID, |
Kouth's Companion says poems are
rude. Such criticism ispuerile.
MAY 28.-No letters today. What
AN Ii meanP
MAY 29.-Madrigals and quatrain
rom Century. I expected that.
MAY 3O.-.' -.'Mush-e-mush-tus re.
urned from Prairie Farmer to-day.
7raad Aamsy Scout and Natl accepts
'oet1s Does not pay for poetry, but
10 matter. At last an opening!
MAY 31.-What does this meanp
1heck from BRAKES Magazine for
Death" Thought I sent it to the
imerican Magazine. Editor writes:
Too long for our pages, but the alb
urdity of the idea and It's comical treat
1ent commend it to our favor. Pleased
D hear from you again" What! Is
his the end? Can L Il
(Here the writing breaks of abrupt
:, and the worst Is feared. ~ II
auth, in brakes Magazine.
O. $ |