The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-28
RILEY HEARD AGAIN
AN IMMENSE AUDIENCE AT THE BOYS,
CLUB BENEFIT.
Some OF His Old Favorites Given-
Miss Oriopp's Great Vio-
lin Playing.

The audience that greeted James Whit
comb Riley at the Grand Opera House last
night was one that not only reached from
the ceiling of the auditorium down to the
footlights, but swarmed over the footlights
to tie stage, and when the beloved Hoosier
stepped out from the wings he verify found
himself in the midst Of his friends. Mr..
Riley might go on indefinitely from week
to week with his entertainments in this
city and not know empty benches. In the
audience were a number Of people who had
heard him a few nights before at English's
Opera House, and some of them were heard
to say that he was more en- rapport with
his audience last night than on Tuesday.
although this observation probably OWED its
foundation to the cosiness of the smaller
opera house. 1t was $3.50 when the pro-
gramme. which was given for the bene-
mt of the Boys Club, began with a baritone
solo. Rage, Thou Angry Storm" by Mr..
Louis DocheZ, whose rich voice seems bet
ter with each successive hearing.
Mr.. Riley accompanied Senator Fairbanks
to the stage and these gentlemen were given
a hearty round Of applause. The Senator
spoke glowingly and in good taste Of the
man who has done so much to give Indiana
a rank in the literary history Of the country,
and in concluding. he credited Mr.. Riley
with being the greatest living American
poet. Mr.. Riley. after briefly acknowledging
the introduction. began a preface of a few
words to the poem which, his hearers re-
membered, brought him into instant popu-
larity as a dialect verse writer. 1t was a
poem he not often ~recites, and the audience
felt itself favored in hearing him give this
homely and universally quoted When the
frost Is on the punkin." In one of the
proscenium boxes was Archbishop Carr, of
Melbourne. Australia, with his purple cap,
and rot a few in the audience were curious
as to the effect the verse would have on a
prelate whose education and training would
make him a stranger TO the literary atmos-
phere OF HooSier dialect poetry. But the
clergymen's eyes twinkIed at the very be-
fectiousness of Mr.. Riley's quaint humOr
and philosophy, and before the evening was
over he was applauding in ali sincerity and
appreciation each number. The beautiful
story or the angry farmer who forgot his
spleen against mis- brother-in-law in the
presence of '.Huldah's baby carried the au-
dience almost to the verge o. tears, and
when the poet moved away there was a
hush for a moment, only 10 be succeeded
Trading joe" another poem which Mr..
Riley rarely gives, followed as an encore,
and from a mellow, good humor he led his
audience up TO a roar.
Mr.. Riley's 'Old Glory has sprung into
immense favor, and so great was the
clamor for this gem that the poet agreed
TO give IL again last night, having had it as
a number on his programme last Tuesday.
His gestures in reciting this heroic poem are
a marvel Of grace. Two simple movements
Of his arms illustrate the waving of a flag
from the halyards in a remarkably impress
slonistic manner, and another as equally
simple movement Iimns the outlines or the
flag as 1t droops. The poet seems born TO
mastery in all things he undertakes. There
Is a peculiar quality to his voice in this one
Versa that raalU thrills a nnnlftU thar
actually inspires patriotism. The 'Old
Sweetheart of Nine" another favorite, was
given and the exquisite beauty of the verse
and its rendition only whetted the appetite
OF the audience for more. AS an encore TO
this came that verse which many believe is
the most beautiful OF all he has written,
Out at Old Aunt Mary's."
As an entertainer, as an actor, Mr.. Riley
captiyated his friends last night
when he delineated the character of the
school visitor who proceeded to give the
children an object lesson on the peanut. 1t
In America, to-day who could equal MI.
Riley in a short bit of this kind. Inc infiec-
ton Of his voice in this number Is an artis-
tic entertainment in itself. The poet de-
clined to give an encore to this. AS a last
number he told the familiar story of the
little boy and the bear. with some new vari-
house in a fine humOr. Mr.. Riley thanked
the people for their generous outpouring in
pehaII or the two institutions for which ne
had volunteered his services, and he compli-
mented the musicians who had participated
in the entertainment.
Miss Orlopp, vloiinist, was given a fine
greeting last night and she proceeded to de-
serve it by playing at her best. The Will
helmj polonaise AFFORDED her opportunity TO
display her wonderful technique and tone
also, and throughout her number she had
her listeners breathleSs. They marveled
that so young a woman could get such
breadth of tone from strings and that she
bowed with such facility aad produced such
wondrouS effects. She was given an en-
thusiastic recall, and responded by playing
a mazurka by WienawskL. 1he otn . musi-
cal number Included an excerpt I'm the
Persian Garden" by the Gounod Quartet,
Mrs. RaSchig, Miss Robinson, Mr.. Miller
and Mr.. DocheZ, a solo by Mrs. Raschig and
one by MIR. DocheZ. Mrs. Cecil Smith was
accompanist- Miss Robinson, c~ontralto, was
in unusually good voice in the quartet num-
Der. The success of the concert last night
was in a considerable measure due TO the
energy of Maj. W.. j. Richards, the presi-
dent OF the Boys Club.