The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-31
Readings ny Riley. Major, McCutch-
con and Mrs. Catherwood, Intro
duced by Mr.. Fairbanks
RILEY TO READ TONIGHT ALSO
CONSENTS TO REQUEST MADE BY HIS
FELLOw-WRITERs IN LETTER.
Great Applause for His Poems and se-
IectiOns from the Works of the
other Authors.


OF "Hoosier." and who have by the subtle
chemicals of their genius converted it from
an epithet into an encomium, a full meas
ure Of appreciation was rendered last night
by the great audience that filed English's
Opera House. George Barr McCutcheon,
Mary Hartwen Catherwood. Charles Major
and James Whitcomb Riley, in their read
ings for the aid of the Benjamin Harrison
Monument Association, more than fulfilled
the phrase Of Senator Fairbanks in intro
ducing them: Il need not tell you of the
surprising rich feast which lies before
you" From the minute that the first
words of 'Graustark' gave a hint of the
uncommon richness Of the hours to follow
until at the last Riley bowed himself off
the stage and with characteristic modesty
sought refuge in the wings from the storm
of applause. the delighted auditors leaned
forward, afraid to miss a word of the en-
tertainment. 1t did not matter that every
man and woman in the house had been
long friend of Lorry Grenfall. had pat the
quaint sayings OF old Pelott. knew RiIey's
folk as they knew their own. and had long
ago taken into their hearts Brandon and
the lovely Mary; indeed, the familiarity
with the written word made it all the more
uthShlLul 10 near the SPOKEN
The voices of the authors quivering a
little at times with the knowledge that
they were among home folks" made vi
brant with the electricity of sympathy,
gave color and richness 10 their own
stories hitherto unknown by those who
had turned the pages OF their books. The
Clean-cut, vigorous determined buoyant
creations of McCutcheon, the quaint, pic
tuTesque, old world figures of Mrs. Gather
wood, the knightly, chivalric. courtly peo-
the sunny children, the HOosiers of Riley
passed and repassed on the stage not a
shadowy personages, mere fancy bedecked
automatons, but real men and women;
smiling. laughing, courtesying, bowling, all
actuated and inspired by the spirit of the
times in which they played a part.
The entertainment was enjoyed not only
because of the merit OF the stories and
poems which were read, and because of the
fame which has come 10 those who read,
but because IT was more than anything
else could possibly be an Indiana affair.
The audience had a sense of pride in the
knowledge that few States in the Union
could gather at one place such an assem-
blage OF writers. Enjoyment came also be-
cause there were many from indianapolis
and other cities of the State who have been
or are now friends and neighbors of the
authors who took part In the readings. 1t
created an atmosphere Of hOmelike feeling
that went straight TO the hearts of the
readers. Perhaps nothing better explains
the reception that was extended than re-
mark of Riley's after he had responded to
an encore: Il never saw anything like it;
they quite took me off my feet!
MIR. FAIRBANIS'S PRELUDE.
And although the applause to Riley was
particularly generous and lOng-cOntinued
because of the pride Indianapolis feels in
him, vet there was given TO the others on
the programme a sense that their efforts
were fully enjoyed and sincerely appre-
ciated. To Senator Fairbanks, who came
from Washington for the purpose, fell the
honor of introduction. In opening the pro-
gramme the senator said:
affection is not a myth, nor gratitude a
lost virtue. We are not forgetful of the
achievements of General Harrison in war,
in the Senate and in the executive office,
which shed such luster upon our noble
State. We shall erect some enduring testi-
mony of appreciation of il all and leave ii
an inspiration of high endeavOr TO those
who shall come after. We owe this SUI
preme duty TO ourselves, TO posterity and
to our State.
lit is peculiarly felicitous circumstance
that those who so delighted General Har-
r1SOn with the pen should aid in erecting a
commanding tribute 10 his memory. He
was lover of letters, and no one possessed
keener judgment of good literature
Indiana has received honorable distinc-
ton in many avenues of human activity,
and we look with pride upon the exalted
rank of our State among the sisterhOOd of
States. In no field has she won more signal
success than in the field of literature. Her
writers are known by all who speak the
English language-yes, some of them are
known among all tongues.
1T is not fitting that / should stand be-
tween you and your desires. / need not
tell YOU OF the surprising rich feast which
lies before you. Real merit needs no other
mon privilege OF hearing the authors OF
Graustark,' When KnighthoOd Was In
Flower and The Old Swimmin' Hole and
'Leven More Poems
''Who does not know them? Their names
are part OF our familiar household vocab-
ulary Their works have grown too numer-
Gus for me to now mention. some of them
have been dramatized and hold command
ing place upon the stage. George Barr Nc
Mrs. Mary Hartwell Catherwood has
achieved marked and deserved distinction
Charles Major, in a masterful and graphic
way, has introduced us TO the age of chiv-
airy. Who is not proud of one who has
filled our souls with sweetest sCnshine-the
poet par excellence OF his time-James
Mhitcomb Riley; To these illustrious
10 the audience L commend our beloved
authors"
THE READERS.
George Barr McCutcheon. of Lafayette
whose novel, "Graustark," has met with de
served popularity. was forced TO bow a
number of times before he could begin his
reading. Mr.. McCutcheon read the first
chapter of his book His voice was strong
and OF good quality and it penetrated with
ease TO every nook and corner of the the
alter. He carried his audience with him
reveling in the nerve and dash of his hero
until the conclusion of the chapter Called
out by persistent applause. Mr.. McCutcheon
said simply:
And they were married"
Mrs. Catherwood. who had the next place
on the programme, read from her book OF
''Machnac Stories" She selected tale
which is a faVOrite of her own The Skele.
ton in Round Island" and she had no rea.
sOr 10 regret the choice. The tale is told
by an old half-breed. Ignace Pelott In his
rich dialect. favored b. innocent oaths no
IN the least irreligious such as. "Oh God
yes" and "Oh God. no." Mrs. Gather.
woods reading was full of expression Sh,
told her story slowly retaining all the real
istic charm OF the old half-breed whose
narration she was following. To her alsf
was accorded generous applause and sh.
appeared several times and bowed hel
thanks.
During the intermission which followed
the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. un
der the direction of Hugh McGibeny. PLAYED
a Relationships andante The weird sweet
ness OF the composition and the excellenc,
OF its rendition made ~ a welcome number
of the programme.
After the intermissiOn Charles Major
read a chapter from his new book. 'Doro
thy Vernon. The chapter Is entitled
Thomas the Man Servant" and is eonsid
cred by Mr.. Major 10 be one OF the best OF
the book. He occupied only a brief time
much 10 the regret OF the audience for fhs
reason that he IS not long out OF sick bed
and Is still suffering from severe attach