The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-09
HOOSIER POET FILLS
TOLoR AUDITORIUM
Music was a Feature of Read
ing Last Evening.
GIVEN BY J. W. RILEY
Train Taken for Kansas City
Immediately Afterward. )


A large audience listened to the Hoos-
Ter poet, James Whitcomo Riley, at the
Toler last night and for two hours were
swayed by the pathos and humor of this
illimitable lecturer.
Mr.. Riley was introduced Dy Mr.. J. D.
Houston and after a snort talk upon
Wichita, given in a pleasing off-hand
way. he gave two readings from his
Poems here at Home These were
both approximations of the Hoosier
farmer who talked of crops and of
counting the widows, and of ending by
marrying the widows daughter. The
audience gave him a vigorous recall and
he convulsed his hearers by an account
of the way a man tells story and finds
it funny while he's telling it,
Mr.. Riley's next selection was .Hoosier
Themes" in which he gave that poem
which brings the sob into the throat.
Out to Old Aunt Mary's." with its
mingling of farm pleasures and boyhood
memories In contrast ne gave fhe his
tory of a man who went to Washing
ton 10 get.a pension and incidentally to
visit an old friend.
AS an encore the poet gave the poem
by which he is perhaps most widely
known, An Old Sweetheart of Mine.
Life Studies and Little Folks were
the subjects of Mr. Riley's concluding
numbers. In his impersonation of chill
dren, Mr.. Riley made his greatest hit.
thus giving a fitting climax to the even
ing
The music for the occasion was fur
nished by local talent and was of high
standard. The Paramount Ladies Glee
club gave two numbers and Mrs c. w
Yost sang the beautiful "Ernani' OF
Verdi. Mr.. Harry Stanley made the hit
of the evening. however. with THE Song
of the Desert, by Phillips. In response
to an encore he sang 1.-The Armorer's
Song from Robin Hood"
AT the beginning of one of the musical
numbers a reporter for the Eagle stepped
behind the scenes for the purpose of in
terviewing Mr.. Riley. who was found
standing near the south wings, vigorously
applauding the young ladies who were
taking their places on the stage
Il never talk to any one during the
evening he said My mind is too much
on my program and / have no time for
lengthy conversation. You know We wish
to catch the Santa Fc train which leaves
at 1920 O'Clock and for the first time in
weeks is reported on time this evening.
] expect we shall miss it,
do you believe in Inspiration Mr..
Riley was asked. Are your writings the
result of inspiration or is each stanza
carefully worked out?"
well he replied. "a verse or two may
be inspired but the remainder of the
poem is finished by hard workout really,
| never talk during the evening
What is your idea in regard com
menced the reporter, but he was interrupt
ed by Mr.. Riley comically drawing him
self back and raising a clenched fist as
though he were about to strike. His in
qusitor lifted an arm as though to ward
off the blow and Mr.. Riley finished with
a smile wiping his black trimmed glasses
and saying There is my secretary. go
and talk to him He really knows all
about me- and will answer any questions
you are anxious to ask"
Il suppose you are always bored by re-
porters?" was volunteered alphabetically
We'll. no. Mr.. Riley replied seriously.
mot when they call in the afternoon, but
in the evening during the program, we'll
and he turned to applaud the ladies who
were retiring from the stage and the in
terview was at an end
After the last number Mr.. Riley bowed
himself off the stage and was hurried
into his overcoat and driven rapidly TO
the station where he was to leave for
Kansas City.