New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-08

ny a UdlQutN III llAhiHi4H HNA'''
Poems to Riley" filed these young
sters' notes From way out on the
western border the poet received
telegram from Herbert Hunt, secretary
Of the Indiana Society of Tacoma, as
surfing Mr. Riley Of the love Of 800
Hoosiers in Washington State.
Old Friends Honor Mr.. Riley.
A stream Of old friends flowed all
day into the Lockerbie Street home 10
give birthday greetings to the distin-
guished Hoosier. From all over the
country they came, these Riley folk.
From the Indiana Societies Of Chicago,
Pittsburgh. ST. Louis. New York and
other cities there came representatives.,
who were given places of honor around
the banquet tables tonight.
Indianapolis had made ready to re
ceive the poets friends In scores of
places "Old Glory" waved in the Octo-
Der breeze. In downtown windows the
poets picture was displayed. In the
city schools and schools throughout
Indiana children celebrated Riley Day
with special exercises.
This afternoon Mr.. Riley attended
the presentation of AN Afternoon with
Riley" a musical and dancing specta-
Gle. produced under the direction OF
Ona 3. Talbot. In the poets box at
the theatre were William Allen White,
DR.. John II. Finley, Ellery Sedgwick,
Frederick W. Stevens, Meredith Mich
olson, Hewitt Rowland and Edmund
Eitel.
Indianapolis did not wait for Mr.
Riley 10 get up in the morning before
il began 70 celebrate his birthday. AZ
12:Ol o'clock this morning, at the very
dawn Of the poets natal day, the brass
quartet of the Indianapolis orchestra
and about forty members Of the Ger
man Musikverein entered little Locker
bic Street and serenaded the poet. Be
fore they left large basket OF flowers
embellished with ribbons of white and
red. was placed on Mr.. Rlley's door
step.
Mr.. Riley Is Serenaded.
The serenaders, bearing lighted can
dies and red torches, marched INTO
Lockerbie Street a few minutes before
midnight Tiptoeing TO the Riley gate
they formed a semicircle, and as softly
as the October air that whispered
through the trees the melody OF Loves
Old. Sweet Song" stole in through the
noet's window. The darkened house
took on a faint glow Of light, and the
serenaders knew that they had been
heard. The Musikverein sang two Ger
man folksongs and the quartet con-
Guided the serenade with an old lul-
LADY.
Mr. Riley, catching the old-fashioneed
spirit Of the occasion, sent word 70 the
singers that he would send out the
cigars" but his midnight callers re-
piled that they would smoke with him
another time, and they they left Lock,
erbie Street as silently as they had
come.
The hotel room where the banquet
in Mr.. Rileys honor was held tonight
was beautifully decorated in pink,
white and red, the poets favorite hues
Decorations painted especially for the
occasion adorned the walls. Under
meath them were inscribed selections
from famous Riley poems.
In his address at the banquet Mr..
Riley said:
EVERYWHERE the faces Of friends,
kindly generous faces. some marked
with serious thought and retrospection,
some simply glad in the spirit Of the
moment; but all. all, the faces OF
friends, friends proudly 10 be owned
because they are old friends, or friends
newly discovered. or Hoosier friends
al home or from abroad trends with
kindly hearts, friends eminent IN the
nations love. friends no less dear be
cause their worth ~ more mummy
known; "A beautiful thronc OF TRENDS
among which are 10 be missed only the
60 Of the women and the children.
And vet. like them, friends greatly 10
he cherished warm. tender. brave and
.,yono-and all smiling like very boy
hood restored 20 US, gently smiling
,houqhtfullv smiling, smiling wist.
July, twinklingly, tenderly-a host OF
sriordlv faces. uplifted and continuous
"a the stars in truth, like words
,ror,b's ten thousand daffodils, untlI
even q pseudo-poet;
could not but be gay
In such a iocund company.
"Rut 20 one who has been blessed
,y;,b length of years and somewhat
vivid memory, the brilliant gathering
here tonight can but recall numDerless
other like scenes IN which nave peen
brought into prominence many OF Ihose
dear. old friends who have, aias, passeu
on. And yet, as memory ihslstel',.,
recalls them, the RADIANT as 80 20
tbe hoard tonight grow still more IA.
Ja,t snd exalted with the faces tina,
long since have faded from our real
vision"
Poet Recalls Old Scenes.
NJ Riley then mentioned similar
GENES in which Thomas A. Henricks.
BENJAMIN Harrison. William fihhnuy
T;sbback John L. Grifliths. Walter W.
Gresham and others figured. n.
And there is gladness all along t IN.
line he continued, from the FIRST I'M
mortal entrance of joviai character TO
the very present company az Measure
and and happiness. And 70 this presence e,
thanks han as well. to those friends in alien .Es
S Sords Of cheer and godspeed, while the
distinguished guests who haye spoher.
in tribute here may be sure oil my '"o''
feeling gratitude. u,,o anne