The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-03-04

"AAhSa - 49,
Strive ever in vain for the uttorenco
clear,
And think of the sorrowful spirit khok
sings,
And jewel the song with the gen e
tear.
For the harp Of the minstrel has never
As sad as the song In his bosom -
night,
And the magical touch of his flnSers
Cannot waken the echoes that
breathe 1t Alright.
had read the lines over to my0olf
and although recognizing many tolichosl
decidedly like those of the famOua ~
thor Of "Lalla Rookh." was not Wh6l-
~ satisfied with the production: an6 AZ
struck me with peculiar force thu ~.
ethereal composition would surely ~
be so lavishly tinctured with unut(
able sorrow-aside from being IA NJ
ferior to a hundred earthly sons q
Moore's. So, with this argument
my weapon, determined to cone
the superstition that had almost ot&u
powered me. I had noticed, too ri
both former instances q singular f6&ktj
The old man, though so ready to t.
off all comment that might relied
single ray of praise upon himself.
tened with more Of the air of crl11c
than one whose interest was mercy
that Of curiosity, and still when u.
fragmentary productions were re96
aloud, look Of more than ordinaIU
satisfaction would tighten up his eye.
The facts, hastily reviewed, deter
mined me upon course of action had
instant opportunity to adopt. #
"Read it aloud" said the old man.
impatiently; read it aloud!".
I complied with more than usual
enthusiasm, reading verbatim from tho
copy, until came to the repetition Of
the first four lines, which I thus trans
posed, or, rather, paraphrased.
1.-THE harp of the minstrel has never
a note
As sad as the song in his bosom ex-s
pressed, w
And the magical touch of his fingers
afloat
Drifts over the echoes that sleep In
the breast" &
This was careful to deliver without
emphasis or mark of any kind by which
he might discover any imposition on
my part. As ! closed l stole a hasty
glance at his face, and was gratified
to find it wearing a rather startled ex-
preston: not only did his features be-
tray puzzled and questioning air, but
his hand was mechanically extended,
as though reaching for the paper in
my own.
"Do you want to see it?" asked
suddenly, handing him the scrap.
Eyes, I-Oh. no-no," he broke in,
dropping his hand, and his face COL
Ored wildly. But turning again as
quickly, he added: eyes, give 1t to me. I
Where are the others? I must be 60
ing"
"Why must you got" asked, still
retaining the scrap; II had hoped"
II am going" he interrupted brusk-
ly. snatching up the scraps that lay
upon the counter, and reaching for the
one I still held. "Give me the poem. I
will trouble you no longer"
ALLOW me to retain 1t, I beg Of you."
said l, with significant smile, and the
slightest tinge Of sarcasm in my voice.
Let me keep 1t as a betting memen-
to Of the inspiration I have seen 30
exercised"
His face was pale with anger as he
replied:
II will not. When you want rhyme
write 1t yourself. You can at least
write doggerel." ..
every neat" said L laughing. I'VE
understand each other. so let's be
friends. Here is my hand and q dol
ar besides. Give me the other scraps
i want them ALL"
I took them from him as he clutched
It the bill. which he smothered In his
palm, and then turned away without
! word.
"Here, Charley" called one Of the
'ystanders, hall Of that's enough for
7Ou tonight"
The door slammed violently and he
vas gone.
"Oid Cain will have that dollar in
ust five minutes" continued the man.
"And who's Old Cainf" asked.
Keeps the doggery Just over the
lne."
"Old Charley" n Ia q well.
'nown character In Union City-his
lome, in fact, although he often dis.
ppears for long periods, but, as my
Informant remarked, always turns up
gain like bad penny"
His story Of his early life is at least
a Spd unnn tho tr1,th h,,t n nx,y ~, hS,~h