Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-01-12
A WHOLESALE POET.
The Astonishing Experience of James
 Whitcomb Riley.


 While tho Nye-Riley combination was on the road last winter 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 pleased audience had dispersed Nye had been taken in hand by the town lecture com mittee and lowed off up to Uncle Asa Butter fields house to hear Uncle Asa tell his famous story about his red COW and Dunk Browns hired man, the occurrence having actually taken place in 1859. Uncle Asa was local humorist of great renown; he had been unable to attend the lecture on account of rheumatism. but had promised to sit up till the committee brought Nye around. The red COW story was his masterpiece, and he was anxious that Nye should hear it, as he thought that very likely he might want to introduce it into his lecture. Riley had escaped by feigning sickness as soon as the visit was proposed, and before Nye could enl- ploy the same excuse, and was sitting in the hotel office at about II o'clock congratulating himself and chuckly quietly. He was think ing of various facetious remarks which he would make to Nye, should he survive the operation he was undergoing, about Uncle Asa, the red COW, the hired man, and 30 forth, when man hurriedly entered who attracted
 
 angular with long gray hair and hollow eyes, and he had trick of thrusting his head for ward and pointing with long bony finger Re glanced around at the group of hotel guests sitting about and walked directly to Riley.
 "You are Riley, James Whitcomb Riley" he said, as he pointed long finger at him The poet blushed slightly and modestly ad- mitted the fact "Yes, yes," went on the man; Il know you, though l never saw you before. We never met, but we've had 8 good deal of business with each other.n
 Well, perhaps" replied Riley, 'sbut I don't exactly understand what you refer to-" "Hal I'll tell you My name is Thomas H Stockwell," and be looked at Riley tri- umphantly.
 "Er-well, I can't just place you I'm afraid, l" answered Riley.
 You can'tl Why, I'm the man that has written all your poetry for youl"
 The poet looked at the hollow eyed visitor 1 speeches.
 l "Yes. sir, gentlemen" went on the intru- 1 der, swinging his long, bony hand 50 as to | include the little group, "l am the man who | has written ell of James Whitcomb Rileys poems for him When be has wanted new one he has always written to me and 1 have sent it to him and got my pay for it, and that has been all there is about it. You know it, Mr. Riley, as well as do. But I'm sick and tired of it. Hereafter, sir, the world shall know Thomas H. Stockwen as be is; the fame of James Whitcomb Riley will hereafter rest on the brow of Thomas Hos letter Stockweil The time has come for me to declare nysef and claim my ownr
 The unknown poet who had blushed un- seen all thess years drew himself up proudly and laid his hand on his heart Riley had been gradually getting over his astonishment and now found his voice.
 Perhaps, MT. Stockwell," he said, "you may have some of your poems with you such as you have been furnishing mo, and can favor us with short reading.S
 Certainly" replied the long haired indi vidual promptly, as he pulled handful ol cIumpled manuscript out of his breas pocket; certainly, nothing would give mt greater pleasure. have here among others one entitled The Old Barnyard, with whicl intended filling your next order. I vii read one verse;
 When you go ont in our barnyard a-kind Q wan
 rin' round
 Amongst the hens and sheep, and the hog
 a-rootin' h the ground
 And git fssg'riu on the colts and how much they'l
 pro5'bly bring
 When they're broke to drive in harness later |
 the spring,
 Aigo of from the sheep with horns-'less yo : want to sse some stars
 Cause he's predjerdiced and lf'bls to bunt yo
 through the bars,
 But what you want to rally void aint airy pig e
 sheep CT hoA
 But the ats got tho spotted calf