The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-06

MA
WILLIAM L. CHITTENDEN.
or three months and occasionally makes
a trip to Europe. His ranch is six miles
one way by four the other, which gives
an immense grazing area for his large
herd of high grade Polled Angus, Here
ford and native cattle, not to mention
between 200 and 800 head of horses and
mules. About 200 acres of this tract are
under cultivation. All hese years Larry
has been wooing the muses. and it must
be said he is getting on very intimate
terms with them indeed.
At social functions in the larger
towns, at cowboy Journeys, on hunting
expeditions, everywhere. he is in de-
mand. He can sing a song, tell a good
story, recite a pathetic dialect poem
and if necessary play the role Of car
pet knight with equal grace and facility.
He is in love with all out of door activi-
ties. and exposure to the ardent south
ern sun has given his face a healthy
bronze tint that is the envy of many OF
his pale faced confreres Of the north
Chittenden has romantic sido that is
positively refreshing. He has had a
number of curious adventures and ex-
ploits which he is fond Of relating in
his quiet, unassuming way. In the SUM-
mer of 1891, at Spring Lake, N. j., at
the risk of his own life, he rescued two
New York young women from drown
ing. Other similar stories are told of
his good deeds and gallantries But it
is as a poet that I wish to speak more
definitely of Larry Chittenden. His
''Ranch Verses. y published about two
years ago, has passed through two edi-
tions, and third edition, revised and
enlarged, has just come from the press
This represents a remarkable sale for
first book of poems aud indicates that
his work touches popular chord. Crit
les at home and abroad have with one
accord given him the most f1atteriug no.
tees. The Review of Reviews says:
1.-THE ballads and character sketches
have the genuine ring They are worthy
of place beside those Of Riley, Field,
Harte and Miller. -
The distinguishing thing about Chit
tenden poems is atmosphere. He is not
archaic or profound or tediously senti-
mental. On the other hand, he is sim
pie and direct and magnetic. After read
ing a few pages in his latest work, you
say to yourself here is an unaffected
soul; here is a man who has felt and
seen life as the average man feels and
sees it. You do not expect any fairy fill
gree of setting to his natural outflow of
fancy, no forced witcheries of phrase,
no cloying sweetness of jingle. And, as
I say, he provides the atmosphere al
ways, whether he is exalting the virtues
Of his old friend, 1.-THE Majah Green, -
describing the beauties of Tho Maine
Coast. praising 1.-THE California Girl"
or penning a rhapsody ITO a Dallas
Lady.
Here and there the poet voices lit
tie homely philosophy, in quaint gpise,
! as where he says;
There's no harm in trying; do the best that
Give up useless signing and fight like a man.
Aim high and strike hard. leave nothing to
chance.
| Don't skulk in the rear; just ride in advance.
Mr.. Chittenden seems to be "at
home'' in all the best known forms Of
versification. A rondeau of his called
"Ye Friendly Books is one of the very
best of its class l ever ran across. He
has attempted a few sonnets, one of
which, Tonight, - is finished bit of
mosaic FORK. l am constrained to quote
it, for all true lovers of poetry are al
ways glad to read good sonnet:
| The twilights laces fringe the sea-
While far beyond yon mountains crest
The lingering, lonely sun seeks rest,
And life seems lost in reverie
No sound from woodland, shore or lea,
Save from yon airy sea birds nest,
Where fedgelings greet mother guest
Returned from wanderings wild and free
| Dark spectral fingers clasp the land
And daylight smiles her last gOodby,
While far beyond the reverent strand,
The vanquished hosts of evening fly,
As nights victorious, restful hand
| filings jeweled banners DER the sky.
His poems cover a wide range of
themes, and their treatment is varied
and versatile. l should not say that
Larry Chittenden has reached the high
water mark of his genius, for he is still
young. But world of promise is locked
up in his brain, and he is leading just
the rugged, natural sort of life to
strengthen and develop it.
LEON MEAD.