# Regular Fellows I Have Met explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A series of humorous, rhyming character sketches celebrating a diverse array of businessmen, lawyers, politicians, and other professionals from Chicago and beyond, each described with a playful quatrain that highlights their quirks, hobbies, or achievements.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The entire chapter is a series of witty, rhyming portraits that poke gentle fun at each subject's profession or hobby.

### Work and Profession

Each sketch centers on the individual's occupation, from lawyer and banker to restaurateur and baseball club president.

### Community and Companionship

The chapter celebrates a network of acquaintances, emphasizing camaraderie and shared interests like golf, fishing, and baseball.

## Character check-ins

### Henry Veeder

Lawyer from Chicago, noted for his well-worded briefs that grieve opponents.

### John Z. Vogelslang

Restaurant man from Chicago, whose son served as a Blackhawk in war, inspiring the Blackhawk Hotel.

### Charles A. White

Banker from Chicago, formerly held the Elks' money bag without stealing.

### Samuel A. Ettelson

Corporation Counsel for Chicago, praised as a wise protector and legal adviser.

### Col. Chas. H. Ebbets

President of the Brooklyn National League Baseball Club, known for wanting the season to run nearly year-round.

### Modie J. Spiegel

President of Spiegels House Furnishing Co., the life of the party with his singing.

## Key lines

> He doesn't defend any speeders Nor yeggmen nor Bolshevik leaders, But his well-worded briefs Add much to the griefs Of opponents of Hen‑er‑y Veeder's.

Henry Veeder avoids defending traffic violators, criminals, or radicals, but his eloquent legal arguments cause trouble for those who oppose him.

_Highlights Veeder's legal skill and selective clientele._

> His kid went to face shot and shell, Which I'll say is H-E-double L; A Blackhawk was he, So his daddy, John Z., Thought he'd put up a Blackhawk Hotel.

John Z. Vogelslang's son served as a soldier in the war, so his father decided to name his hotel after the soldier's unit, the Blackhawks.

_Connects family pride to business naming._

> When the Lake Front's a place we can play, When the Boulevard System's OK, With no missing link, Charley Wacker will think It's the end of a perfect day.

Charles Wacker will be satisfied only when Chicago's lakefront is developed for recreation and the boulevard system is complete.

_Reflects Wacker's role in urban planning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/regular-fellows-i-have-met
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters