The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-11-23
Academy Column
WHY ALLISON NEVER MARRIED

II was required that the story pic
ture the circumstances that could
have led TO the composing Of "On a
Railway Platform" by Alfred Noyse
In response 10 the request Of the
Instructor the following was writ
ten:
Last summer I was invited TO a
banquet given by Cynthiana's Bach
elor Club in honor Of the editor OF
the Cynthiana Gazette" James Al
lison. The banquet was a decided
success but did not impress me TO
as great degree as the stories re-
lated after we had retired TO the
Clubs smoking room. Loosened by
the sparkling grape juice and rich,
black Havanas, tongues waggled
freely and many were the humor-
Gus. but sometimes serious anec-
dotes that passed to and fro. As
might have been expected, the con-
versation soon turned to the sub
icct that bachelors love to talk about
marriage. and Mr.. Allison was ask
cd to entertain the "boys" with his
reason or reasons for having remain
ed bachelor. Each man lounged
back in his easy chair, expectantly
waiting. for Allison is always worth
listening TO.
II began my newspaper career,
said he, ain Cincinnati, working for
the Tribune" as reporter. was
given credit for fairly clear, force
full style but as the chief expressed
il, I lacked the "human touch" My
work had no strain Of sympathy
for others, in their joys and sor-
rows, IL was too "cut and dried"
I was beginning TO despair when
one day I was sent out by the chief.
On entering his Office, all he said
was Allison, write up this East side
murder case wondered why he
took the trouble TO charge me per-
sonally but I afterward learned that
he had hopes Of arousing the human
touch Il will call il that for lack OF
a better name) by putting me on a
case most likely to stir up within
me feeling for the life and prob
lens Of others; he thought I would
work harder if given the order by
him, which was no doubt true.
Arriving on the scene OF murder,
! gathered my material and was pre-
pairing to leave when a young girl
came falteringly into the room
and fell sobbing by the side OF the
dead man. This was a new turn OF
affairs and I at once began making
inquiries. The girl, I was informed
was the daughter OF the unfortunate
man: she was just returning home
from school when she heard OF his
death. Whether il was the pathos
of the entire scene, or the glimpse
Of those troubled blue eyes nearly
hidden by locks Of dark. waving
hair that aroused me, I do not know
But ! do know that I wrote on that
occasion the best article had ever
produced and that the chief didn't
grumble about il lacking the touch
As I left his Office heard him whis.
per TO his assistant, at worked-he
has il now" But not only had
gained the touch, but a vision that
has been before my eyes ever since
that day, a vision Of troubled eyes
nearly hidden by struggling locks Of
dark waving hair.
About four years afterward,
came here and began working for
the Gazette" When the Curtis.
White murder case came to trial,
was given orders 10 go to Cincinnati
and interview the lawyer who de-
Tended the two men. was TO go up
on the as that night. Arriving al
the depot a few minutes early,
stood in the doorway protected from
the drizzling rain, when in came the
fast train from the north. Seated
in the first coach was my girl with
the troubled eyes. I sprang on the
train and ran up 10 that part Of the
coach but she was gone. Some may
say that 7 only imagined she was
there. 7 say she was there, in real
ity. Where did she go? I don't
know. oh that I did ! stumbled
of the train and on 10 the one that
was to carry me north. As I rode
along, ! composed my first and last
poem. will read IL, boys. 10 will
answer your question why have
never married" Then Allison spoke
the poem very slowly as II recall
ing something half forgotten:
ON A RAILWAY PLATFORM