Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-02-04
The Emperor's Clothes


EOriBinaLl
Paul Courtney was an unsuccessful
poet
1t happened that Mrs. Paul Court
ney was very practical. Few women
have so completely depended on their
brains instead of their feelings for re-
suits as she. Among other traits she
possessed that Of observation. and
what she observed she could utilize.
One evening she read to her little son
q story of Hans Andersen's. An en-
peror was fond of dress. Two rogues
came to town and claimed to make
clothes of SO fine texture that those
who were stupid and untitled for their
positions could not see them. The
rogues were ordered to make clothes
for the emperor. When they were be-
ing woven he sent his prime minister
to see how they looked. The rogues
were working on nothing. The minis
ter supposed he was too stupid to see
the fabric and untitled for his posi-
tion. Not willing to admit his I'M
worthiness, he reported to the emperor
that the clothes were splendid. 9th
ers made the same report. When the
clothes came the emperor saw nothing,
but, not willing to admit his deficien-
cies. accepted them, put them on and
appeared in them before the whole
city. All, supposing that they We're de-
6cient, applauded the clothes except
little child who said, ''The emperor
has nothing on at all.
That night Mrs. Courtney stole one
of her husbands oft neglected poems,
entitled I'm Imitation of Poe" put an
appropriate heading on it, copied 1t in
Poe's handwriting (she possessed
autograph specimen), signed his name
to it and sent 1t to Song and Story, a
high grade magazine, with letter
stating that she had found 1t among
the papers of her grandfather, who was
nm intimate friend of the great poet
She signed fictitious name to her let
| ter.
The poem was published at once and
produced sensation. Critics, who
doubted It's authenticity, did not dare
risk such an opinion. SO they review
ed it critically, pointing out those beau
ties which were to be found only In
the writings of Poe. Young people of
literary aspirations dotted upon it, and
the great mass of the people, supposing
their betters knew all about it, accept
ed their opinions without questioning
them.
One evening Paul Courtney picked
up a copy of the magazine containing
his poem and, turning the leaves,
sprang from his chair. With indigna-
ton and astonishment, he called his
wife's attention to the liberty that had
been taken with his work. She advised
him to go at once to the editor and
make vigorous protest Courtney.
after a sleepless night, invaded the
editorial sanctum and confronted the
editor.
THAT poem," he said, "has been de-
clined by every magazine, including
your own, and when. some person, un-
known to me. sends it in as one Of
Poe's you publish 1t, and the whole lit
erar world goes mad over it. Now.
sir, what are you going to do about itY'
The editor gave way to thought for
awhile and then said:
1.-THE error must remain unexplained.
The matter will soon be forgotten"
81 will have it up in the courts"
Suppose, Mr.. Courtney, we give you
unlimited space in our columns for one
year by way of reparation?'
Him. said the poet. soothed.
Would you be willing to settle ON
that basis?"
Certainly. On no account can we
have this matter get out to the pub
lic."
"DOne." said Courtney. And he went
home to inform his wife Of the result
Of the interview
The next issue of the magazine con-
tanned a poem by Paul Courtney which
was mentioned favorably by several
critical Journals. Mr.. Courtney's pho
togravure appeared in catalogues Of
successful authors, and it was not long
before his poems and his physlognomy
were alike familiar to the public.
What the critical Journals pronounced
excellent the general reader accepted
as such. Every magazine tried to Sc
cure poems from Mr.. Courtney, but he
had all the space he wanted in one.
At the end OF year the poet was
notified that he would be given no
more space in Song and Story. Hav-
Ing made a name for himself, he was
not disturbed But in time the editors
of other periodicals noticed the omis-
sion, and Courtneys poems began to
come back as of yore His wife told
him that he had had his day in the
poetic world and should be satisfied.
He wisely decided to take her advice.
One evening Mrs. Courtney, seeing
n few simple verses signed 'Buck-
eye. in a newspaper, read them TO
her BARNS. They were received with |
delight. Courtney. coming into the
room, noticed what had taken place,
and it occurred to him to test some of
his own work in the same way. Sc
lecting several of the simplest OF his
poems, he read them to the children.
They were received without the slight
est expression of pleasure. Courtney