The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-30


Moko. I came to the conclusion that the influence
merely in his sentiments and emotions; his
brain power as strong He finished his
volume of poems and despatched it to his editor.
Editha hurt and think deeply hurt. though
she too high-souled to complain, by the fact
that he had shown her a single poem in it, Be
fore she had been his constant confdante and ad-
visor in matters poetical. and had always striven.
for, like Homer he sometimes nodded. to keep him
at his highest level of grave seriousness.
A few days later suffered another shock.
was walking in little town with him when a
and cried. Good heavens, Hickman. What beau
tiful creature What features."
1t the simian type that appealed; and my
blood ran cold. 1 turned and fairly dragged him
along homewards.
We had just reached home one day after an
other walk. and were entering the house. when the
sound of hurried footsteps made pause and
turn my head. dapper little with a very
pale face, carrying package under his arm,
opening the garden gate.
Hello here's Blck." said Belamy Grst; and
1 caught ring of discomfort in his tone.
The publisher skipped up to the hall and
without word OF greeting CRIED Mr.. Grist What
does this mean? What does this mean?"
What does what mean?" said BelIamy.
This book-this dreadful book" cried the pub
Usher
What's the matter with the book" said Bel
lamy Grist cheerfully; and he opened the door of
his study and all went in
THE matter! The matter!" cried Blick slam
ming the package down the table and beginning
to strip off the wrappings. I'VE bought volume
of serious poetry from you and this is humorous!
1t be humorous! All readers think it's
humorous!"
We'll If this doesn't beat the Dutch!" said Bel
lamy Grist Its nothing of the kind
Blick turned the leaves of the MS. quickly,
and cried, "But-but this ode to a Ripe Banana!'
And-this poem, The Joy of Nuts!' And-and-
this one, Up Tree And this one-where is it?
-here-'Freedom'-al about freedom from the
from insects!"
well, what's the matter with them? They're
all right" said Bellamy Grist tartly.
But we didn't want this kind of thing, We
wanted poetry-serious poetry-the-the noble
sort of stuff the American market expects from
you"
Bellamy Grst gripped at him, angry grin
that barred his teeth and said in rising voice. Ah.
if you'd only told me SO, I'd have told you wasn't
writing any more of that trash Why, can't read
my previous volumes!" He snatched out OF
the shelf and banged it down beside the MS.
They're all about nothing at all. But this is all
right this is the real thing. I've always said that
ton: and this volume is the expression of gen.
uine emotion. Take this Ode to a Ripe Banana
and compare it with my Ode to a President A
president is not like that, and nobody ever felt
about him like that. But ripe banana is like
this; and 1 feel about it Just like this-every
healthy human being must Besides a ripe banana
is beautiful thing, and proper subject for
poetry; president is not beautiful thing and a
proper subject for poetry. And this Freedom
again-have you in the summer been troubled
by fea?"
What" screamed Blick above Belamy Crisis
thunderous Are you seriously defending
this dreadful poetry? Have you no care for your
splendid reputaton-for-for the great success
you have had in the American market?''
"Oh, they're all right" said Beliamy Grist
They're not all right! And we won't publish
this book! 1t won't sell. You must refund the
fifty thousand dollars! Wen bring an action
against you to recover it," howled BIick.
You make me tired" said Bellamy Grist scorn
fully. go and look at our agreement I'll bring
action against you If you don't publish it,
The wretched Blick wiped the sweat from hi
clanmy brow, and walked up and down, mutter
ing; then he said bitterly well. we've been dom
by Americas noblest-"
'say that, and I'll kick you out of the house!'
roared Bellamy Grist, advancing on hu briskly.