The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-04

tend to be critic of poetry I'm merely
an editor | can not undertake to sit
down and read anybody's poetry in the
way you propose. VIII you not leave itf'
told him that would rather take it
around personally, and bade him adieu.
l walked up to Union Square and entered
the Century Magazines offices.
Robert Underwood johnson is the gen
tleman who receives poets there when
they have anything to sell. Mr.. Johnson
is poet, like myself. His verses have
been collected into book and extensively
sold. Some persons tell me that Mr..
Johnson writes lyrics. Others tell me he
does not. / had no opportunity of asking
him about this, for had not been three
minutes in his presence before discover
ing that he much prefers to carry on
transactions in poetry by mail
When | handed him my manuscript he
took it, unfolded it, gave one look at IL,
folded it up again ana handed it back to
me. He declared that he couldn't look at
it must excuse him. He couldn't be
unfair to others.
Richard Watson Glider is connected
with the Century
But failed to get Mr. elders opinion.
Mr. johnson told me that Mr. Glider does
not give opinions on poetry while you wait.
l called at Mr.. elders house in Clinton
Place, but he was not in.
Then | resolved to take my poem to
Richard Henry Stoddard and ask him to
advise me. When | reached his house at
No. 800 East Fifteenth street it was past
midday, my verses were still on my hands
and | felt discouraged.
| sat down in the parlor while the SER
want went up stairs with my card. Very
soon l heard SLOW labored footballs and
the sound of a cane A calm, aged
face, framed in venerable white
beard, was next thrust through a pair of
curtains.
1t was the old poet.
MIR Stoddard, - said I, advancing with
with my sheet OF paper outstretched, al
though am stranger TO you l have
called to ask your opinion Of some verses
| have written. VIII you do me the IA
vor to give me your candid opinion of
them The lines are few. | have been
Vainly trying to sell them
Come into this back room" said he,
in his brave old tones, where there is
an open fire. "
He placed a chair for me to sit down,
and taking in his trembling hand the
poetry which the editor of Harper's
Magazine had called good, he sat down
himself.
II must use glasses" he remarked,
smiling over to me, for my eyes are old
and weak
Giles and stuck them over his nose. Then
he began to pore intently over my verses.
He pOred while could count. say, sixty
Then he turned the sheet over and looked
on the other side.
He arose suddenly.
I'm tell you what | will do" he said
hurriedly, 81 will print your verses in the
Mail and Express--I will print them
without having read them through. /
viii DO more will print my opinion of
them
/ called his attention to the fact that
his opinion Of the verses might be un-
favorable, in which case his published
estimate would prove injurious to my
poetic name.
won, have no time to give you now"
he said, still hastily. I'm very busy
You must excuse me. But if you send me
the verses will accept them for publica-
ton, as l said, and | will write them up.
am very busy now.n
He handed the verses back and l arose
As got TO the front door he asked Inc if
il was cold outside. I told him it was
not, anu thanked him, for / felt that his