Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1840-03-28
Tom rrpp, the man Of genius.

81 The AUTHOR OF YANKEE NOTIONS.
Ton Tipp was a great genius. His
i7tant wears were marked by uncommon
gfecoclty Of intellect. The same thing
indeed, has been said of sundry other
PERSONS; but IN Toms case we have the
fact upon unqueStionable authority
The first bent of his genius displayed
itself by a shrewd discovery IN the sci
snce Of bread and butter. How many
full grown people there are who cannot
tell which side their bread is bulteret
Ye;Tom found this cut very soon after he
had cut his teeth As he grew bigger
he grew more cunning, and was pro-
uounced as bright a child as you would
see OF summers day.
He demolished picture books, and
smashed crockery, in style that show
ed he would speedily became smart,
enterprising man. These anticipations
we're soon fulfilled. He played truant
ADD beat the school mistress, by the
time other boys had mastered half the
alphabet Need say morei Every
body called him lad of spirit, and pre-
dicted he would make a noise in the
world
1t is not exactly known at what age
he first got into debt-that manly ex-
Ploit which is sure to mark the career Of
man of genius at a very early period,
Let 1t suffice, that he ran up scores in
various quarters, to the annoyance OF
has parents and the asionishment of the
nelghbofhood. Other school boy FRANKS
may be passed over, '.tricks had he in
him which gentleman have" At col
lege. Tom kept up his character; he
robbed hen-roosls, badgered the tutors,
raised rebellions, set FIRE to the college,
and attained TO the glory OF speedy ex-
PulsIon. A career so brilliant at the
outset promised great things, ana Tom
was sci down by all his acquaintances
as a lad of undoubled spirit and genius.
Ia truth. he thought as much himself,
and was determined 10 make his fortune
as soon as he had sown his wild oats
he had i've thousand dollars TO begin
with.
Two or three years did Tom spend in
admlring the smoothness of his panfa-
looms, as he walked up and down Broad
way; two or three more in cnltivating
shlskers; and two or three more in
eoeking his hat over his left ear. He
now thought himself finished and quite
me thing; and all the town called him a
nSeiy fellow. At this critical moment,
ne put bis hand in his pocket for a five
eolar bill, and, to his great surprise,
loand h:s pocket empty. T'other pock-
= was empty too, and his surprise grew
Hi'o astonishment when farther scruti-
ny informed him that all his cash was
gone "Five thousand dollarsm ex-
ealmed he in amazement, s'and is il all
gomez" Echo answe red ..Gonein
was ever discovery more mai pro-
HH an ordinary mortal would have
osen overwhelmed by it, but Tom in
sanity bethought himself that he was
"a nan OF genius, and this set all to rights
4 have only 70 make my fortune" said
ne "ihat's all. Yes, I'll make my for
.une without putting it off any longer,
mat signifies waitingln So saying.
ION went off TO the theatre and thought
No more about il.
bui day or two afterwards, tailors
Oil came starring him in the face. Tom
pos his hand in his pocket again, ana
vas again reminded of his want OF casn
md MS possession of genius. s'Pshaw.
.sid he, ''Tll make my fortuns-l'd quite
orgot to do it; but it seems to be Tune
'o~ Tom, having said this lighted