The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-15
OF WRITER'S AND BOOKS.
COLUMBIA's TRIBUTE TO THOMAS
NELSON PAGE.
How He II Received Reads from His
Own Mss.-Literary Women In So
ciety-Gems OF Thought.

or all places in the Southland where
her distinguished sons are honored. 1t is
In Columbia Thomas Nelson Page yes
terday received the honors and atten-
tons OF the people OF this city. The
Virginian's stories had come along be-
fore him and the people only awaited
the opportunity TO show him how
keenly they appreciated his talent AL
together, Columbia is somewhat averse
to making much ado about anybody or
anything, but yesterday it made an ex-
ception
The opera house last night held de-
cidedly the largest audience OF the season,
every reserved seat having been sold be-
fore the doors were opentd. The y. NC.
a. saw that everything was In perfect
readiness, and the audience, which was
thoroughly refined and representative.
was favored with one OF the neatest and
most fascinating literary entertainments
ever given here. Mr.. Page, unlike a great
many distinguished authors, has the addi-
tionai qualification OF being a smooth
and attractive reader. He never makes
an effort at effect, yet being so thor
oughly familiar with his stories his dia-
ltNi INFECTIOUS are DtIlttlt anu MS III
donations are perfectly true to the dialect
he mimics.
Mr.. Page read from his two repre-
sentative works "Marse Chan" and
'Pulaski's Tournament" the one repre-
senting the mingled humor and pathos
Of the negro narrative, the other its
humor alone, as expressed more properly
in certain idlosyncrasy of expression
and righteousness of situation than I'm the
I.If sh.. or.
"Marse Chan" is a story of the war
and contains MANY passages full Of pa
thos and dramatic effect. 1t is
written in the Virginia negro dialect,
which Mr.. Page has mastered, and which
he speaks during his lecture in a delight
full manner. In the humorous "Pulaski's
Tournament" his rendering was no Less
perfect. The story is delicious. The
quaint, dry humor of the old negro is as
irresistibly funny as anything that menu
DRY recalls. and it is difficult to say
which the pathetic or the amusing-the
audience enjoyed most thoroughly.
Mr. Page was recalled after his read
ing. and rccited a little poem, How
Young Marse Done Come Back" that
could not be denied, concluded an even
ing that had both smiles and tears in II.
but much MORE Of satisfaction than OF
either.
Mr. Page was introduced by President
Johnson. and after a brief chat with his
auditors. as 10 his pleasure at having the
opportunity of addressing n Columbia
audience. ne took charge of them with
his delightful stories. This is MIR. Pages
first visit 10 South Carolina, and he ex-
pressed himself as being 80 much pleased
with his initial visit that he is liable to
very soon 10 come here again
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Page, the distin-
guished Southern writer, upon arrival
here yesterday was met at the depot by
n committee consisting Of President john
sol, Secretary Hatch, Professor Wood
ward and Mr. Simmons. He was imme-
diately taken to the hotel. where, with
a party of friends. he took dinner.
The committee Of the Y. NJ. c. a. show
ed decided judgment In arrahg-
ing for reception during the
afternoon at Wnghts Hotel, and
the occasion showed the keen apprecia-
ton the people Of this city have for the
noted Virginian. The flower of the city
was out at the reception. which was In
every way a pleasant and agreeable in
cident. Mr.. Page was completely taken
by surprise, and expressed himself as
thoroughly delighted at the incident.
The reception was thoroughly Informal,
and every one was made TO feel at home.
Mr.. Page is most agreeable tallxer,
and always has something pleasant TO
say 10 every one introduced 10 him.
There was a perfect stream Of callers
into the parlors during the two hours of
the reception. 1t would be impossible TO
give the names of near all who called,
but the card receiver showed that the
following were among those who called;
Mir. Thomas Moorman. Captain y. Il.
Bacon of Edgefeld. Professor +. c. Wood
ward, Dr. T.. 5. Joynes. Judge Haskell,
Representative Weston SECRETARY Hatch,
Mr.. A. NJ Boozer, Miss /. d. Martin,
Mrs Clark Warning. Mrs. Summers, Mrs.
Walker. Miss Smith. Colonel and Mrs.
McMaster, Colonel Sims. Colonel and Mrs.
Cardwell, Mr.. +. G. Wright. Miss Leon
ard, Miss McCants, Mr.. w. J. Duffe Mrs.
ID. L. Boozer. Colonel J. p. Thomas, Sec
rotary John Lake OF Edgefeld. Mrs. 5.
L. Morris Miss Moore, Miss Cunningham.
Miss Nance, Miss Aleighan. Miss Jennie
Gibbes, Mrs. John S. Wiley, Mrs. lie
Conte, DR.. a. n. Talley, Mrs. Hart, Miss
Rion, Miss Capers. Mrs. Il. v Neale, Miss
Mabe ONeale, Miss Dunovant, Miss
O. Ncale, Miss Waring. Professor john
son, Miss Simmons, Miss Sarah Porter
Smith, Miss McMaster, Mr.. J. w. Gibbes.
Miss Marion L. Gibbs, Miss Cozby. Or. Eli
son Capers.
There were numbers who did not worry
with the card formula. and among them
were the representatives, of the College for
Women. the Female Collge the Winthrop
Training School and the Theological Sem
mary.
MIR. Page has very many friends and
admirers among those who called.-From
the Columbia IS. c. Daily Register.