Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-01

he makes bee line for Monte Bailey,
as everybody calls the genial editor, and
Monte has never been known to turn
any needy one away empty handed.
Mr. Baileys face Is one OF those to
which photograph cannot do justice.
because in the photograph you miss the
humorous and kindly cordiality that
eliminates 1t. Then there is a peculiar
twinkle OF the eye. accompanied by the
faintest suggestion OF a movement Of
the body. as II III Imagination he poked
you in the ribs and had TO hold himself
in from doing it in reality This hap
pens when Mr.. Bailey says something
which might he called Baileylsm. 1t
is a genial kind OF humor that he has.
and because 1t is unstudled it is good
and never Hat. Withal be is truly mod
est, like Bill Nye and other great men.
He took me into his back office. put
me in his own chair and then sat down
by the side Of the desk and began TO
talk While we were thus occupied a
friend came in. and Monte turned on
him with the kindly shafts OF his wit
rallying him about everything that came
into his head This gentleman told me
afterward that Mr. Bailey was always
the same. II never enjoyed myself SO
much IN my life as | have with Monte
Bailey" he said. sand must say that.
while he has written some mighty fun
ny things. | like him better than his
books. And yet. when j asked him
why be didn't write any more. his reply
was; "a am played out II any one asks
you. tell them that. he continued; IF
there Is anything which disbelieve in.
it is for humorist TO allow the machine
TO enter into his work, and the moment
that be feels 1t he had better stop.
handed him one of his books which
was lying on his desk. and asked him if
he would indicate those sketches which
had been the most popular He stood
there with the book in his hand and
started on a train OF "reminiscences. Both
OF us forgot the object OF my visit. and
for more than an hour he ran on.
You are too young, be said. ito APP
preclate how we used to live in the old
days in New England when | was boy.
Now that sketch OF the boy carrying in
wood OF course, was that boy. !
was the eldest of family. and II seemed
TO me as if we were always moving. My
stepfather had the kindest heart in the
world. but a terrible temper remem-
Der myself standing IN the kitchen one
day while he was trying TO move the
stove Although ! was but child. II
was so extremely funny to me to see the
varying expressions on his face that
every once in a while | was Obliged 70
run out in the BACK yard and roll over
all doubled up with laughter
These early impressions evidently
chung to Mr.. Bailey with great tenacity
and gave a peculiar vividness 30 his
sketches One Of his associates at the
time when he was writing them said
that when Monte was writing in his den
he could always tell when happy
thought struck him by peculiar chuckle
that came through the cracks Of the
door. and when he heard this he would
say to himself. There. Monies getting
off good thing | asked Mr.. Bailey
about his experience as a lecturer de
laid down MS book on the desk and
standing up with his hands in his pockets
and swaying gently backward and for
ward, he replied
That's where made a big mistake,
but, the fact Is. never thought ! could
do it. At one time | was offered SOS, 600
for course of lectures. but never had
much experience with an audience. and
| was afraid that what ! said would fan
fat Some time afterward Bret Harte
gave a lecture here. and | introduced
him to the audience / felt keenly the
soleninity Of the occasion, and suppose
had some diffidence about it. and per
haps this very thing is what caught
them; and then felt rather abashed in
the presence Of such great writer as
Bret Harte. When got through speak
ing Harte turned TO me and whispered.
On You. Bailey. you have taken all
the wind out Of my sails.
In 1874 he visited England, Scotland.
Ireland and France, and on his return
lectured on England from Back Win
dow While be was travelling IN Eng ,
land one day on the train his wife /
wanted to buy book to read The boy
handed him one and be SAID. as be gave
it to her. Here, my dear. Is book that
! think You win be much interested IN.
Il was a copy e life in Danbury.'