New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-22
De MILE A R|NGMASTE2
Cracks Whip for Literary
Celebrities at Authors Matinee.
ACTS AS AUCTI0NEER. TOO
Edwin Markham Attempts to
Help, but Is Squelched-John
Erskine Reads Poem.

William C. de Mile (dramatist)." as
the programme put it. kept three hundred
people amused for four hours yesterday
afternoon in a room so hot that one liter
sry minded woman tainted and all the
others expected TO. but they all stayed not
only TO hear their own particular literary
idol read his or her own poetry. but &c
wait for what Mr. de Mile would do next
Ii was at the authors matinee for the
benefit Of the Mary Fisher Home of New
Jersey at the Waldorf Astoria, and Mr.
de Mile was acting a. ringmaster for
seven celebrities Of the literary world
one was May Riley Smith and that
funny man actually said when he intro
duced her that she really could writ,
poetry in spite Of the fact that she wal
president Of Sorosis. Clasps Startled
elances. Mrs. Smith smiled. The shocked
clubwomen relaxed. and the shocking
thing was borne on the wings OF Laughter
into oblivion. The poem was THE Little
Candidate" and after the formal pro-
sramme the original manuscript was sold
at auction along with masterpieces and
autographs Of other poets and authors.
That man" behaved even worse in in
PRODUCING John Erskine. and he is n pro-
fessor at Columbia. too.
II used TO know John at college and
/ never expected TO hear him read
poem Of his own composition in public,
lie remarked before he let loose the pro
fossor poet who read his 'Actron.
II was when hs came 10 auction off thu
hot s'fhat rna ~ bnf
the most fun. because the authors were
not present and he could say what M
chose.
There was hook OF verse. by Johr
kenrick Bangs with the front page al
covered with original literature Mr.. %
Mile harpcd upon the literary value oil
this production. but could not read II. h'
said. because unfortunately. II was N
Johns own handwriting. Another vol
umc however contained a shorter and
more Ieriblc greeting: signed. hut not
indorscd. John Kcndrick Bangs \ TIM
girl. with soulful eyes. bought this FOR
81 %.
! Robert Underwood Johnson's book nj
verso sold AT bargain for 8 90 after
Edwin Markham had interrupted tho auc-
tioncer TO say that It was good poetry.
There. now. what moro do YOU want?
cried Mr.. dc Mile. gratefully. Mr.
Markham guarantees IN. book. II II ism
good 20 TO him and get your money
back
And I'll he glad to get the book re-
tortcd Mr.. Markham.
\ little book by Nina Rhoadcs, tho
blind au,horess. containing her signature
I'm braille was sold for s. n. and volumes
by Octave Thanet. with pen and ink
| sketches for bookplates. brought 81. tho
highest prices at this book sale.
Mrs. Josephine Dodge Dsskam Bacon
read her story ~ "Ardclia in Already thu
fresh air child who couldn't drink tho
country milk because II was too strong.
and who suffered various other mishap'
during two DAYS Of enforced fresh airing
I'll. author explained that she had had
TO answer many letters NJ protest from
outraged fresh air philanthropists because
Of this same story She was sorry, but II
was only Joke.
Tho others who performed At Mr.. do
Miles command were Robert Underwood
johnson. Graham Reed. Edwin Markham
and Nine. Jeanne franko.
Marion lIarland. the chief patron OF
the Mary Fisher Home was unable 10
be present or account Of Illness. This IS
the first time she has ever missed a
benefit for the home. but her daughter
Mrs. Christine Terhune Iierrick. had TO dc
the honors Yesterday. The large audi
cuce VAS composed about one-half Of per
sons interested In the home and one-hali
OF those interested I'm the authors present