Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1916 — Moods. [ARTICLE]

Moods.

By Walt Mason.

' I cannot write a pome today. I am not in the mood," I heard a lonerhaired poet Pay, a poet short of food. I'nless tiie inspiration comes, lean produce no spiel; 1 sit here twiddona' oi my thumbs, and longing* fo.’ a meal. And oft I feel privation’s lash upon niy person fall: O, for a plate of cornbeef hash, O, for a codfish ball!” ‘‘l can't afford such things as moods,” the short-haired poet said; "and I must write the platitudes that fester in my head. Perhaps my song is not inspired, perhaps it’s lacking art, perchance it makes the highbrow tired, and breaks the purist’s heart; hut all the merchants in the grad are pleased to get my trade; they know that when I owe a scad, that scad is promptly paid. Each day I buckle down to work, regardless of my mood, just like a tinsmith or a clerk, with earnest zeal imbued; and then, until my muscles tire, throughout my eight-hour day, I punch the stuffing from my lyre, and make that punching pay. Should I for inspiration wait, I could not turn the trick; I could not keep my credit straight, or get my meals on tick.”