Walt Whitman Remembered, Some Hurt Feelings

1907

WALT WHITMAN'S COMMERCIALISM.

Charles Godfrey Leland told the following story of Walt Whitman:

"When my book on the gypsies appeared, I, knowing that it would interest him, gave him a copy, in which I had written a short complimentary poem, and, mindful of the great and warm gratitude which he had declared regarding my brother Henry, I asked him if he would not write for me a few original verses, though it were only a couplet, in the copy of 'Leaves of Grass' which he had sent to my brother. His reply was a refusal, at which I should not have felt hurt, had it been gently worded or civilly-evasive, but his reply was to the effect that he never did anything of the kind, except for money. His exact words then were, 'Sometimes when a fellow says to me. "Walt, here's ten or five dollars — write me a poem for it," I do so.' And then, seeing a look of disappointment or astonishment in my face, he added: 'But I will give you my photograph and autograph,' which he did."