The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-31

OF rheumatism Mr. Major experienced
some trouble with his throat. but not
enough 10 mar the clearness Of his enun-
citation. His new book has not been out
long enough 10 be as familiar as when
knighthoOd Was in Flower. but the single
Chapter that was read last night was re-
eelved with delight. by his hearers ar.
Major also appeared several times at the
call OF the audience and bowed his thanks
Before Mr. Riley came on for the last
reading Of the evening Senator FAIRBANKS
a letter written 20 the poet by the other
authors who are assisting in the cause OF
the monument to General Harrison. The
letter was follows:
Our Dear Mr. Riley-There is Just one
thing we regret in our several ana joint ap-
pearances Tomorrow night and that is
your absence from the programme. When
we accepted the committees invitation -
was the intention 70 have but one night
reading, so that in mentally forming our
acceptance the thought or the pleasure ana
the honor of appearing on the same plat
form with you played no small part in our
final determination. Later II was deemed
best TO give two performances. and we who
are assigned 10 Saturday night find our an
ticipated pleasure and honor not 10 be real
lied. And so we join in this letter with the
utmost sincerity and good cOmradeship 70
beg you 10 appear with US on the last night
of the readings We realize that we are
asking a sacrifice Of you. but you must
realize on your part that IL is an OppOrtu-
nifty that may never come TO US again: in
this we justify our selhshness. With the
heartiest good wishes and the confident
hope that you will be one of us we are,
CHARLES w. FAIRBANKS.
LEW WALLACE
MEREDITH NICHOLSON.
GEORGE AIDE.
CHARLES MAJOR.
"EVALEEN STEIN.
GEORGE b. M'CUTCHEON.
BOOTH HARRINGTON
MARY II. CATHERWOOD."
The reading of the letter was a surprise
TO the poet and he was greatly affected by
the spirit of it. He readily gave his consent
afterward TO appear on the programme to-
night. and. with those whose names are
signed to the letter, Mr.. Riley will have
part in the entertainment of the last even
ing of the authors readings.
MR.. RILEY'S PART.
After the letter had been read his ap-
pearance on the stage was awaited with in
tense interest. When he appeared. calmly.
with a smile that has grown pleasantly
familiar as one of his poems of childhood,
there was an outburst Of enthusiasm such
as has seldom been equaIed in English's
Opera House. The storm of hand-clapping
lasted for several minutes and Mr.. Riley
was plainly affected by the evil
dences of the love and respect in
which he is held. He began to
speak by saying that he would present two
selections and then easily drfted into the
words of Goodbye, Jim, Take Care of
Yourself" His voice, his expression and
his whole manner was that OF the old far
mer who loved his and sent him to
the war with pride and hope. When he
came 10 the final stanza which tells of jim
dying in the arms of the old man WHO was
all wrapped up in him. there were many
eyes In the house that were dampened with
tears, and there were many handkerchiefs
fiuttering near eyes that were not all femi-
nine.
Then Mr.. Riley gave Down to Aunt
Mary's," a poem full of the sweetness of
country life, in which one old man recalls
to another the joys or boyhood visits to
Aunt Mary s." While Goodbye, Jim" is
perhaps one of the most popular poems
Mr.. Riley ever wrote, the reading of the
second met with applause hardly less spon-
taneous and maintained.
He not allowed to retire for long,
but, called back by the hand clapping and
cheers, gave several child sketches. The
first was the bit of humor in which one
little boy, with the constant phrase, Amt
! il. Charley" entertans his sisters caller
with interesting comments on family az
fairs. While recitng Mr. Riley was the
child in voice and gesture, and the laugh
ter that followed every stanza was almost
bosterous.
AS a final contribution he gave the poem
that all children know by the terrifying
words, THE COLLINS III git you eff you don I
watch OUT" When he retired for the last
time there was effort made TO bring
him out once more, but Mr.. Riley had left
and the curtain was rung down. Just as he
left the stage to go 10 the dressing room
he was met by Charles Major, who graSped
his hand. with the enthusiastic remark:
Riley, l would rather have written those
child sketches than Dante'S Inferno "
The other authors who were present all
congratulated the poet and We'd with one
another in saying pleasant things.
The occasion was made a society func-
ton. The stage box on the left was oc-
cupied by Mr. and Mrs. II. Z. WATSON,
Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Mckee and Mrs Black.
In the box Immediately behind it were
Mr.. and Mrs. CORTLAND Van Camp. Mr..
and Mrs John Martindale and Mr.. Samuel
Van Camp The third box on fhe left was
| occupied by DR. and Mrs. j. Il Houser,
Miss Taylor of Anderson and +. G.. Houser
| and Il. G.. HOuser. On the right in the
stage box sat some of the authors who did
ment and those who found places there
after their readings last night were ended.
1t held among others Senator Fairbanks,
| General Lew Wallace, George Barr Nc
| Cutcheon and William C. Bobbs. In the
second box on the right Governor
and Mrs. Durbin, Mr. and Mrs. +. H..
/ Trip and Colonel Murdoch. of Lafayette.
/ The third box occupied by Mr.. John
| c. Williams and party, II. b. Hibben and
| party and Mrs. John II. Williams
| In to-nights entertainment, in addition
/ to Mr.. Riley, General Lew Wallace, George
| AIDE EvaleAn Stein, Meredith Nicholson and
| Booth Harrington will take part. The In
| dianapolis Symphony Orchestra will play
| again.
/ TALK WITH MIR. ABE.