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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1895)
THE COURIER LITERARY NOTES. Tho last six months havo seen the event of at least three books of poemB by Nebraska writers. Tho latest is "A Harp of the West" by Isabel Richoy of Plattsmouth from the press of Charles Welle Moulton, Buffalo, N. Y. It is a very dainty little volume printed on good paper and the typographical work is very fine. Tho poems are sweet and pretty. They aro written in aD artistic manner, a great many of them being in the sonnet form, a difficult but pleasing form. Here and there aro dainty little touches that makes one love the au thor. Such a one as this is called "Promises:" When I am grown a man, mamma dear, I'll build for you a palace, do you hear? And I'll make it very grand, Just the finest in the land, All of marble, understand, mamma dear? I'll buy rings and chains, mamma dear, All the nice things earth contains, never fear, And I'll buy a dress for you Either white or either blue Or perhaps I'll get you two, mamma dear. lie never grew a man hero below But the place has been built, that I know, And I hope to enter there His immortal bliss to share And the promised robe to wear, when I go. One poem, the "Millionaire's Dream," has in It the effect of the unrest of the times in regard to capital and labor. The little book is deserving of a place on the book tables of those who love Nebras ka and her literature. Dr. Parkhuret's first article to women in The Ladies' Home Jour nal has proved so popular that tho entire huge edition of the Feb ruary issue of the magazine waB exhausted within ten days, and a second edition of 45,003 copies is being printed. Lady Aberdeen tried a novel solution of the ever-vexing servant girl problem in her homes in Scotland and Canada, and in the April number of The Ladies Home Journal she will, in an article, explain the method she adopted. "Why? Says Gladys" is the odd title of a novelette by the distin guished English author, David Christie Murray, that heads the collection of attractive literary productions in the March number of "Tales from Town Topics." It is a brilliantly written story of love and matrimonial infelicity, presented in dialogue form, and the au thor treats his theme with such gayety and eloquence that one can not fail to be interested and amused. Gladys is a lov ely American girl who marries a reformed English rake, and, as it turns out, tho rake proves to be the steadfast and true element of the partnership whereas Gladys, in an absurd spell of emotionalism, brings disaster into her home. Mr. Murray is at his best in recounting the misad ventures of this strnngely assorted pair, and produces a very good philosophical argument on the matrimony question as well as a cap tivating piece of romantic literature. The volume containing the novelette iB crowded as usual with ihe bright array of stories, sketches, poems and colloquies culled from the back pages of Town Topics. Town Topics Publishing Co. , 203 Fifth Avenue, New York City. WROTE A POPULAR SONG. Tom Hesdon, who lives on the West 6ide, has allowed his talent to show itself in various ways. His daily occupation is that of a driver. He has charge of a de livery wagon and is employed by one of the large department stores down town. Out of his pay he has managed to save enough money to open a newstand, which he manages by proxy. Incidentally, he is a song writer. Several years ago he found that he had the knack of composing simple airs, with which he enter tains people along the route of his delivery wagon. Then he began writing verses to fit his tunes and, being duly encouraged by local admirers, he had some of his compositions sung in public. He formed "a partnership with a man named Harcourt who could write music, and they worked together, producing ballads and com ic songs, some of which they sold to professionals. One of the songs they wroto has acheived a wide popularity, and the authorship is generally credited to the professional who brought it out. "Tho Fatal Wedding' was sung everywhere, and the min strel man who bought the song made plenty of money out of it. This success caused Tom Hesdon and his partner to abandon the practice of selling their rights in a song. They began to publish on their own account and, as a side issue, to write parodies for profes sionals. The senior member of tho firm still drives the delivery wagon and "thinks out" the lines of his "mother songs" while he is at work. Chicago Herald. PHOTOGRAPHIC FACTS. De Caverly How. long an exposure is required to take a picture? Chalk About ten seconds. De Caverly But if it's a living picture? Chalk Then there's no limit to the exposure. SELECTIONS FROM TOWN TOPICS. "Marry that Fat Woman?" repeated the Living Skeleton, with a look of horror. "Nit! I can't bear her. At least the modern Samson couldn't, and I have no reason to believe I can." Marie Why did you run out of church so suddenly during the Fair. Rggy J didn't run out of church half as suddenly as I ran out of money! "Well, Mrs. McBride," said the butcher, "what will you have to day? Shall I send you up a nice leg of lamb." "Yes, Mr. Chops. You may send a nice limb of lamb." The Husband The policeman must be in love with tho cook. The Wife What leads you to think so? "Tommy says he wants to be a policeman when he gets to be a man." B'Jones That was a funny thing about that sheriff down south who attempted to levy on the Jollity Company's wardrobe, wasn't it? B'Jinks -How's that? B'Jones Why, it was a living-picture show, you know. Madley Have you read Bourget's novel in the Herald. Sadley No; I'm waiting until it is translated into English. Miggs Why did you deny your identity to that man? Is ho a tradesman's collector. Priggs No; he ran away with my wife a few months ago. I was afraid that he was bent on restitution. I think her bloomers just immense, Her sleeves, oh my! are great! No wonder, when the dear thing weighs Five hundred and seventy-eight! ManagerWell, what now? More trouble among the freaks, I suppose? Assistant I should remark! The Fire Eater has been kissicg the Fat Woman till she's melted down half size. Jack She's expecting me to propose to her soon. Fred And me too. Let's go down tonight and get it over with. 1 saw her dainty petticoat, Its ruffies blown awry, I saw a blue silk stocking, too, With more than half an eye, And sh! I saw the white lace frill Of something else oh my! Why not? Twas but my lady's laundry Hanging up to dry.
