New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-28
POET EL0PER EMbARKS,
A STOWAWAY ON LINER
Harry Kemp, 'BoxCar Laureate
Who Ran Away with Mrs. Sim
clair, Hides on Oceanic.
WILL RECITE OR STOKE
Place in Cabaret or Fire Room
Yet To Be Determined-Has
So, Sixpence and
No Ticket.

Harry Kemp, "the boxcar poet" who
eloped with Mrs. Upton Sinclair. and
subsequently deserted lyrics for Mase-
field epics, shipped on the Oceanic as a
stowaway yesterday morning and is
now on his way to Europe. He had no
ticket, but had So IN American money
and an English sixpenny bit.
I'VE poets must get around in spite
Of hard times" he told a Tribune re-
porter just before going aboard, 'and l
have hunch that a winter in London
will be nice"
Kemp's baggage consisted Of a rain
coat, given by the dramatic editor of
newspaper to which he pledged ex
elusive tidings Of his flight; some loose
poems and three books. One of the
latter was a Chinese grammar, which
he hopes TO study between intervals
of boiler stoking. He reckons that II
will broaden his mind and that he'll
has a line on what the laundrymans
receipt really does stand for. Schentzs
Anti -Pragmatism, an erudite work
with the title conspicuously displayed
on the cover. is another Of his library.
He explained that he had no intention
Of reading it, but that II would impress
the horny handed sons Of toll with
whom he might have TO labor during
the voyage. Judas" his own book,
dealing with episodes in the careers of
the Twelve Apostles. completed his col
lection.
Inconspicuousness Apparent.
I'm going to beat the high cost OF
living" he said "by just walking
aboard at the dock and eating an ex-
cellent lunch with the rest Of the first
class passengers while we are steaming
down the bay. / shall fade away like
the wreathing mists Of dawn when any
menial comes round for dckets, and In
conspicuousness will be my middle
name till the pilot has been dropped
outside OF Sandy Hook. ] think I will
blow him a kiss as he goes over the
side without me preceding him.
Then, as we stand out to sea and
the glorious spume-capped rollers OF
the azure Atlantic race toward us from
out of the mysterious East, l shall
straighten my necktie and demand an
interview with the captain. ] hope he
will not be a grossly material man and
impolite. ] shall offer to work my way
over by reciting my own poems and
giving readings from my work, Judas
in the saloon evenings"
Kemp added that II the captain Of
the Oceanic considers the cabaret can
get on without him he will offer to -oll
I'D his sleeves and assist the menials in
the kitchen or the stokehold, though he
fears he will be too flick TO make hit
among his humble, illiterate comrades.
He said an acquaintance Of his had
suggested that II he threatens TO read
his poems all thr ugh the return trip
the ships officers would surely let him
land at Liverpool, but he refused to
state whether Upton Sinclair was The
donor of he advice.
II think the captain will LIT me land,
he averred. Il always get along well
with plain. unassuming toilers like sail
ors and laborers.
To Versify-Etope7 Well
"At Liverpool I'm going to spend my
s,vnennv bit in a toast 10 my own coed
uck and start to walk to London.
r,hroe dollars is II shillings, so | shall
not no really In need, as the walk will
,aLo only a eek or so. shall tramp
erst to Manchester. where there Is a
GOOD literary newspaper, The Guar
dian, and endeavor to sell 1t some
ooems Then I'll have three-day
tramn through low-brow region 10
birmingham. where hope to sell some
more poems"
Kemp WAS asked If he would supply
orders II any one buttonholed him on
the road and asked him 10 sit Ill
su.xth oaQe, seventh coiunn'