Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-04-16
GRAND FORKS LIKES. ...
]. v. F0LEY'S WORK
DAILY TIMES HAS AN ENTHUS-
lASTIC REVIEW OF HIS
READINGS.
Large Audience Greets Bismarcks
Poet at His First Appearance On
Lecture Platform.

James w. Foley of this city, made
his initial appearance on the lecture
platform at Grand Forks Tuesday
evening, and how we'll his readings
of his own poems pleased the people
is shown in the following clipping
from the Grand Forks Daily Times:
North Dakota is to be congratulated
most heartily upon being the posses
sor of James w. Foley of Bismarck,
and Grand Forks has reason for feel
ing proud of the fact that the maiden
appearance of the gifted young man
of the Slope in the reading of his own
works should have been made within
her borders. 1t was delightful even
ing of song and poetry that the audi
ence that completely filled the auditor
ium of the Carnegie library enjoyed
Wednesday evening, enjoyed, perhaps
as no similar event in the city has
been.
The works of James w. Foley are
known to all who are acquainted
with current literature. TO read them
is a pleasure. but to hear them as
they come from the lips of their au-
thor, is delight. and the enthusiast
tic reception given North Dakota's
poet was itself an indication Of the
thorough appropriateness of those
fortunate in being present.
Mr.. Foley's humor is rich, his in
sight into the lives of others is little
short Of wonderful and his ability to
tell in verse, of what he thinks and
of what he sees, is such that he en-
ables others to think and see as he
does. 1t is peculiar gift Of nature
that has enabled him to pull the
heart strings with his verse, so ex-
quisitely simple and beautiful. Every
poem is story, and every story is
one that very few have not at some
time heard, but not with the thrill
of interest that is experienced when
Jimmie" Foley teells it.
1t is In his childrens' cerse that Mr..
Foley seems to hold the greatest
charm. "Chums" is one of those de-
lightful little stories of me and the
boy across the street." How very
few but have had, at some time or
other in their life, an intimate &C.
quaintance with both the characters
portrayed so true to life by the ALL
thor. Then there was the story of
the little boys dog, the dog so old
that the end Of his ears had worn.
It, tells Of grief Enthusiastically, at the
passing away Of one Of the closest
members Of the family, out by the
cellar door, and Of the burial cere
monies under tree in the back yard
with the boys Of the neighborhood
gathered about to pay their last re-
spects.
But it is not only in the poetry OF
children that he has been enabled to
gain his we'll merited reputation. His
humorous selections are quite as good
as the best, so quaint and so true
to life. And his little sermons as
ne chooses to name his poems, are
such as to leave an impression with
one of having been made better for
having heard them.
Following the readings, the en-
thusiastic admirers of Mr.. Foley who
gathered to hear him. were given the
opportunity of meeting him, a recep.
tion having been arranged immed-
lately following the program.
Musical numbers during the even.
ing were rendered by Mrs. A. G.. STAN
ton and N. B. Black, and both parties
received hearty congratulations. Prof.
Vernon P. Squires presided during the
evenings program. In introducing
Mr.. Foley he took occasion to refer to
him as being 1.-THE Bobby Burns of
North Dakota"