The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-19

man is doing nothing at ALL just smolder-
ing. he's apt actually to be doing his hard
est work"
He smiled at the paradox and one was
encouraged to suggest:
Especially when he's not lecturing or
going about giving readingsg"
Mr.. Riley sighed at the reminder of his
relief
Thank heaven he said. that's over for
good! Imagine yourself on crowded day
long excursion; imagine that you had TO
ride all the way on the platform of the
passenger car; then imagine that you had
to ride all the way back on the same plat
end Of the Hsv row you M0uio rset al one
ceive how you would feel IL you did that
every day of your life and you will then get
a siimmer-a small glimmer-of how one
feels after little taste of travelling about
on a reading or lecture tour"
He drew out those heavily black-rimpaed
become so associated and set them astride
of his nose.
''Some men," he conceded, have such a
large and elastic interest that IL can keep
them going. but when the time comes when
you wouldn't turn round to look out OF
the car window at the greatest sight on
With dramatically outspread hands he
paused and one concluded for him
Then 1t is time to leave the train?"
"Exactly-So l left the train and settled
down I'm good old indianapolis"
las a literary center?"
An Fastener simply could not help asking
it, but Mr.. Rileys immediate frankness at
once disarmed the covert accusation and
amply justified the city i'm question.
oh" he declared, that's an idea OF
your own section OF the country. Just
where IL began l naturally don't know, but
II didn't begin anywhere west OF Ohio.
We don't claim anything of the sort for
indianapolis. We have turned out some
pretty good men, but we realize that we're
young yet and all we want is TO be let
alone and given a chance to grow. We like
our own, OF course, but i tell you-and the
speaker raised impressive forefineer-
We have great respect, great reverence
for the beginnings OF American literature
In the East"
One fastened truly TO assure him that
Indiana went by no means unappreciated
among US and 10 say the equally true things
about the best work of James whitcomb
Riley.
He took one up. however. at that word.
Il always feel little embarrassed" he
confessed. lat the use OF my full name,
but, honestly, I'm driven TO II. There are
at least six j. w. Rileys' in indianapolis.
and heaven knows how many throughout
the country-lots of John Wesley Rileys'
odd as the juxtaposition may appear. and
speit Reilly 'Rily,' Riley and a dozen
other ways, not to mention the goodly
clan Of the 'O'Reilleys.'
liked 'Bereaved. I remember that when
/ sent IL to the Century Mr.. elders reply
was that IL accepted itself AS for old
Glory 1t was accepted by the Atlantic"
was lying on the little table by the open
window and. at this point 1 turned the
conversation toward this subject.
II never knew Bret Harte." said Mr..
Riley, land although admire his work
his. subjects and his clear-cut treatment
OF them-I never saw him but once. when.
as a small boy, heard him deliver his
lecture on The Forty-niners In South
Bend. Ind. Through his verses he had
taken me into camp once or twice before
that, and wanted very much 10 meet him.
After he had given us delightful even
ing, sticking close to his manuscript and
never attempting flourish. he left the plat
form amid a stolid throng and nobody
came up TO greet him. j edged my way
forward and he came close by me. but at the
psychological moment my boys nerve
failed me- and shrank away. I've always
felt like kicking myself for not making the
most of the opportunity.
/ was conscious that I had not per-
haps, made as yet the most OF mine. but
time pressed IL was necessary for me TO
do little shrinking away" on my own
part and I therefore made my adieu in
return for hearty Hoosier Good fortune
James Whitcomb Riley's form OF farewell