Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-09-23
"Idlewild."

out special permission
"Idlewild."
I never properly appreciated n. +.
Willis until recently. \ friend lent
ME copy Of "Hurrygraphs," which
has long been out of print. In this is
revealed delicate touch, a fine humor,
a spirituality, keen appreciation of
character. that made me fall in love
with Willis at once. One little essay
on painting the portrait Of Jenny Lind
gets nearer to the soul of art than
ninety-nine onc-hundredths of the stuff
written Oh that much hackneyed theme.
Willis old home at Cornwall is just
across the river. \ sketch of his life
gave me the story Of how the romantic
spot received its name of Idlewild.
Willis bought the place Of an old fish.
ern,an. The fisherman did not put
high value upon it. saying apologetical
~ that it was "on!y a rough and idle
Wild can idle Wild it shall be-"
said the poet, adopting the name on
the spot.
Having caught glimpse of Willis
rare soul through the window of his
book, | wanted to see another view
through the window of his home. Co
ing to Newburg to visit Washington's
headquarters, l came back to Corn
wall by train. While waiting for the
Ncwburg boat in the morning l told Il
friend that intended visiting the Will
lis place. you have heard the way it
came by its name:" he inquired and
without waiting to hear whether | had
or not went on to tell it. When | got
to Newburg l asked what time | could
get back to Cornwall, remarking I'M
guardedly that | intended to visit n.
L. Willis old home. The man Of whom
] asked the question remarked joyous
ly: "Funny the way that place got it's
name. An old farmer owned it. and
when Mr.. Willis asked the price he
said in Il deprecating sort of way, oh,
not much; it is only a rough and idle
wild AN idle wild it shall be- said
Willis and named it then and there
On the train down the man in the
next seat seemed to divine that l was
going to Idlewild and that my happi
ness would not he complete till heard
how it got its name, so he told me the
story once more. Arrived at Cornwall
I asked the way up to Mr. Willis old
place, and an attendant at the railroad
station said he thought it was up the
II &C., cot,
about the way that place came by it's
name" he said. | was helpless and
had to hear about the old farmer, or
fisherman, whichever it was, once
more. On my way up a two mile hill
had to stop two or three times to in
,quire the way, and each time my in
fOrmant courtcOusly and uutfully told
me the story Of how Willis came to
name his place. There were variations,
but it was substantially the same old
story.
On reaching the top of the hill had
to inquire once more OF a passing car
penter. why, yes he said Il am
going right by the lane that leads into
it, AS we walked along he grew To-
Willis, but he did know that deadly
story | tried to hint to him that Viii
lis was Il very famous man and ] had
heard the tale before but lie took this
only for basLrulncSS on my part and
went reIentleSsly on. | had now heard
the tale of how Idlewld came by it's
name at least seven times in one day
AL tot io %p,> -
great hill overlooking the Hudson and
is ii veritable forest Of pines. The soft
cushion of needles underfoot. the piny
odor in the air, the sad but sweet
song in the branches. combined with a
perfect day and the spell of the MEM
DRY Of him who had lived, loved and
wrought there. moved upon my soul
like an Old song The roads wound
about each new turn bringing a new
surprise of beauty. Suddenly l came
out into view OF the noble river. and
the house was before me. 1t is very
much as Mr. Willis left it at his death
nearly a half century ago. 1t is now
occupied by Il New York business man,
nameloss here forcvernore.
the spell Of the great spirit that was
incarnaed in the scene I ran on to
"No Trespass" sign, five dogs and an
old gardener. should have gone back
perhaps, but the gardener assured me
that it was all right and told me two
or three anecdotes Of Willis, the last
being the inevitable one concerning
the naming OF IdlcWild. At this fled.
l could stand dogs and signs but no
more Of that story
One of the tales of the gardener,
however, is worth rcpcating He said
that Mr. Willis had u dog he loved so
much that he had buried him in state
and reared a monument to his memory
in an idyllic spot at the bottom of
vcrd1lre covered hill This gave me
new Insight into the soul of Willis It
is not to be wondered at that a man
with a love like that should move and
charm the world
Beware the Faddist.