Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1904 — The Cautious Riley. [ARTICLE]

The Cautious Riley.

A friend of James Whitcomb Riley tells a etory of an encounter with the bachelor poet once had with a woman reporter. The energetic young woman, after strenuous effort, had finally caught Mr. Riley at the telephone. This is the conversation that followed: “Is this Mr. Riley?” “Yes. That is Miss ” “Miss Jones, of the Courier-Journal. I’ve been trying all day to get an interview with you, Mr. Riley.” ‘Ah, would it were now a view instead of an interview,” said the poet, gallantly. “Oh, thanks! now long will you remain in Louisville, Mr. Riley?” “Only a short time.” “Is your wife with you?” “No, ma'am, she is not.” “Where is she, may I ask?” “You may ask, my dear Miss Jones, but I find it very difficult to answer. I am in absolute ignorance ns to her whereabouts. For aught I know to the contrary, she may right now he at the other eml of this telephone.”—Kansas City Journal.