The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-06
HE

~ kind of stuff was that you
sent us the last timer" What's the
matter? Wasn't it all right? Didn't II
fill out all the spaces?" wildly asked
the poetry man.
Yes; but--er-" f1oundered the in
jured editor, you know-er- Why In
thunder didn't you write 1t In prose,
MANI"
well, as matter of fact said the
poetry man earnestly, II thought | was
writing it in prose until I got to the
very end and then when I discovered
few rhymes scattered about 1t was
too late to send them back where they
came from; so I let 1t go, thinking per-
haps you wouldn't notice"
The poetry man was always truth
full.
And editors are always skeptical,
though sometimes they are polite
enough to we'll their doubts
1t was this particular EDITORS firm
conviction that the poetry man wrote
all those verses fors pure, natural born
meanness, and for the specific provo
cation of long suffering editors
Now. look here. said the editor.
Il want a bright chatt little sketch
about the time songs Not too far.
back, but the popular songs of 10 or
1b years ago. Sweet Marie you know.
and Bamboo Tree and all that. Some
thing for kind of eye opener to these
present day youngsters who never
heard anything further back than 'Ev-
cry Little Movement and 'Everybody's
n xt-,-it To hat
without any poetry frills and ribbons?"
concluded the editor, suspiclously.
And the poetry man laughed.
why, man." he said, I've done that
very thing years ago. Built up a story,
a regular romance out of the titles
of old popular songs. Did 1t for the
editor of a village newspaper and they
got the sheets mixed. You can take 1t
from me- when that story came out
it was just about the craziest reading
that ever happened"
Tell me about it," urged the editor
But the poetry man had suddenly
thought of a word that rhymed with
"mustang"-(H He was writing an ode to
the West at the time). So he promptly
forgot the editors presence and as
sumed the far-away expression of a
sleep walker.
Talking to the poetry man was some
thing like riding on one of these little
branch railroads where the trains
never fit. You never seem to get any
where.
However. when the editor shook him
into consciousness, the poetry man prom
ised TO send him that popular song story
the next day.
Which he did. and it read like this:
A MUSICAL ROMANCE.
"McGinty's Ball.
McGinty gave a Christmas ball and
dressed in his best suit of clothes, he
cordially welcomed the guests, one and
all, and many there were, goodness
knows.
All the aristocracy in McGinty's set
was there, and many fateful happenings
occurred at this grand affair Ben Bolt
fell in love with Sweet Rosie O'Grady'
that night, and asked if he might call.
and though she was some other mans
STEADY Lady" Ben took her home
"After the Ball"
While Casey, he firted with ''Margery
Daw," and of Daisy Bell seemed very
fond; but he fatty refused to waltz with
her, for she was not "a wberry
Blonde
Kathleen Mavourneen, who was en-
gagged to THE Spanish Cavalier be-
came quite terribly enraged when she
by chance did hear that her love and
"Annie Laurie Ohe mean. perfidious
thingD We're on the terrace Swinging
in the Grapevine SWING Kathleen de-
clared she'd sue for breach of promise
which she did. But the Cavalier lit out,
and soon was safe In Old Madrid
Little Doris looked in vain for Rob
In Hood" the bold; he had whispered in
her ear "The Sweetest Story Ever Told"
But though she'd many partners, faith
less Robin failed TO come
Just Tell Her That You Saw Me, See
ing Nellie Home" was the message that
he sent her
All, sure it was a crime.
For Little Doris broke her heart
and cried 'rhere'll Come Time
The Pride of the Ball. drank too much
sherry punch. She collapsed and McGn-
tvs valet rushed off pell-mell with all
his speed for "1fhe Sunshine of Paradise
Alley"
But The Sunshine had fed with 1.-THE
Medical Man" and the valet came back to
say there had been "A Fatal Wedding
in 1.-The Church Across the Way"
McGinty was courting "Juanita' the
fair.
He thought her a most charming prize.
and whispered, "If You Love Me Darling
Tell Me With Your Eyes" He gave her n
Sweet Bunch OF Daisies" He knelt on
bended knee, he flattered her. and sang
her praises, and sighed "Oh Promise Me-"
"Oh Won't You Be My Sweetheart
Dear?''
why Can't We Wed Real Soon?''
Alas, alas.-Juanita said. MY Sweet