The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-24
a WHOLESALE POET.
The hs,onisl,in: Experience Of James
Wbiteomb RILEY.

wh,tcomb RILEY.
While the Nye- Riley cornbir alton was on
the road last winter a little incident hap
pened at Kalamazoo, Mich, which has never
been given TO the public. Their entertain
ment was over for the night, and large and
peascd audience had dispersed. Nye bad
been taken in hand by the town lecture con-
mittee and towcd of up to Uncle Asa Butter
fields house 10 hear Uncle Asa tell his famous
story about his red COW and Dunk Browns
hired man, tho occurrence having actnally
taken place in 1922 Uncle ASA was local
humorist OF great renown; be had been
unable TO attend the lecture on account a
rheumatism, but had promised TO sit M Till
the committee brought Nye around Tue
red COW story was his masterpiece,
and he was anxious that Nyc should hear IL,
as be thought that very likely lie might want
20 introduce IL into his lecture. Riley bad
escaped by feigafng sickness as soOn rs tie
visit was proposed, and before Nyc could EN-
ploy the sane excuse, and "as~ltting IN the
hotel Office at about II O'Clock cOngratulating
himself and chuckly quietly. He was think
lug Of various facctious remarks which be
would make 20 Nye, should he survive the
operation be was undergoing, about Uncle
Asa, the red COW, the hired man, aud 50 forth,
when a man hurredly entered who attracted
his attention at once. The man was tall and
angular with long gray haif and hollow eyes
and he had a trick OF thras'lng has head for
ward aud pointing with q long bony Eager
He glaucel around at the group Of hote
guests sitting about and walked directly q
Riley
"You arc Riley, sames Whitcomh Riley
he said, rs he pointed long finger 40 him.
The poet blushed slightly aud modestly adj
mitted the fact "YcS. yes" went on M
man; j know yon, though never saw 80,
be -orc. We ncyer met, but we've had ,
good deal Of business with each other
"Weli. perhaps replied Riley, but
! Ion't exactly understand what you refer 90.
"Iiai IN tell You. Ny name Is Thoma
/ n Stockweu.r and ho looked al Riley tri
3mphaatly.
"Er-weli, can't just place You Imafraid,
answered Riley.
You cantf Why, I'm the man that Ia
written all your poetry for YOU
The poet looked AZ the hollow eyed v.sito
Speechlcss.
"Yes. sir, gentlemen" went on the intru
der swinging bis long, bony hand So "a 4
include the li,,le group, II am the man wh'
has written all Of James Whitcomb Riley
/ poems for him. When he has wanted II nev
one be has always written % me and has'
sent it to him aud got my pay for H. AM
that has been all there is about 1t. No'
know it, Mr.. Riley, rs well as DO. But In
sick aud tired OF IL. Hereafter, sir th
world shall know Thomas IL. S.ockwell as b
is. the fame Of James Whitcomb Riley W !
hereafter rest on the brow Of Thomas Hos
letter Stockweli. The time has come for IN
20 declare myself and claim my oynl
The unknown poet who had biushed IN
seen all these years drew hi9self W proadl
and laid his hand on his hart. Riley ha
been gradually getting over his astonisiimen
and now found bis voice.
perhaps, Mr.. stockwell," be said, "yo
may have some Of your poems with you sue
as you have been furnishing INC, aud ca
favor us with n short reading
Certainly replied the long haired Ind
vidual promptly, rs he pulled handful G
crumpled manuscript oat Of his brea'
pocket; certainly, nothing would give n
greater pleasure. have here among Other
one entitled The Old Barnyard,' with who
/ intended filling your next order. vi
read one verse;
When YOU 70 out in our harnyard n-kind o wa
rim round
Amongst the hens and sheep, and The hol
a-rooiin ~ tAo ground,
And git dsg'rn on the colts and how u.uch they
pro0by bring
, When they're broae 70 drive in harness later
the sprine.
Aire Of from the sheep with horns-'less 81
want 70 see some stars
Cause he's p7clicrdiccd and Z Die 70 brn' -
through the bars,
But what you want to rally 'yo.l amt airy zig
sheep er boss
But The COW ats got the spotted calf
When
She