Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-02-14
From the New York Mirror.
Tom Tip the Man of Genius.

w. 800 hi"'heu w uncommon precOcnV
pi intellect The same thing indeed, has
oeen SAID OF sundry other persons but in
eoms case we have the fact upon unques-
tionaole authority. The first bent of his
genius displayed itselfin a shrewd discove.
ry IN the science Of bread and butter How
many full grown people who cannot tell
Which side fther bread is buttered2 Yet
Tom found this out very soon after he cut
his teeth As he grew bigger, he grew
more cunning and was pronounced as bright
child as you would see of summers day.
He demolished picture books and smashed
crockery In style that showed he would
speedily become "smart and enterprisinp
man. These anticipatons were soon full.
hlled He played truant, and beat his
schoolmlstress, by the time other boys had
mastered half the alphabet Need | say
morel Every body called him lad Of
spirit and predicted he would make a noise
in the world
II is not exactly known at what age he
hrst got into debt-that manly exploit which
Is sure to mark the career Of a man of gen.
ius al very early period. Let it suffice to
say that he run up scores in various quarters,
to the annoyance Of his parents and the as.
constituent of the neighborhood Other
trlfiing shcoolboy pranks may be passed
over; tricks had he in him which other
gentlemen have At college Tom KEEP, up
his character he robbed henroos badger
ed the tutors, raised rebellions, set fire TO
the college. and attained the glory Of a spec
dy expulsion. A career so brilliant at the
outset. promised great things, and Tom was
set down by all his acquaintances as lad
OF undoubted spirit and genus-In truth,
he thought as much himself and was de-
serinined to make his fortune as soon as he
had sown his wild oats. He had 1--WE
thousand dollars 70 begin with.
Two or three years did Tom spend in
admirng the smoothness OF his pantaloons,
as he walked up and down Broadway; two
or three more in cultivating whskers; and
two or three more in cooking his hat over
his left ear.--He now thought himself finish
ed. and quite the thing and all the town
called him likely fellow. AT this critical
moment. he searched his pocket for a five
dollar bill. and 10 his great surprise found
his pocket empty. The other pocket was
empty too, and his surprise grew into aston
ishment when further scrutiny informed
him that his cash was all gone. Five
thousand dollars! exclaimed he in amaze
ment; and it is all gone! Echo answer
ed-gone.'
Was ever discovery so NAL appropos
An ordinary mortal would have been over
whelmed by it; but Tom Instantly beihou-
ght himself that he was a man OF genius,
and this set all to rights. Il have only TO
make my fortune, without putting it off any
longer; what signifies waiilng2' So say
ing. Tom went off TO the Theatre g. thought
no more about it.
But day or two afterwards, tailor's
bill came staring him in the face Tom
put his hand into his pocket again, and was
again reminded OF his want of cash and his
possession of genius 'Pshawi' said he
I'll make my fortune-rd forgot to do il
but it seems TO be time now Tom having
said this, lighted his cigar with bill, pull
led up his cIavat, and sailed fourth upon
stroll.
Some weeks after. came third remem-
brancc in the more emphatic shape OF con-
stable with an acknowledging scrap of
paper Tom got rid OF him with some diff
Guilty. for constables are set of folks thai
hold young men of genius in no great res
pect. Really said Tom, i must make my
fortune / may as well do it now and have
it over--so let me think of. it the first thing
tomorrow morning With these words,
Tom went off to What's bis-name's up III
slreet.and called for champaign and oysters.
Toms fortune making scheme appeared
to be totally forgotten by him for three
months longer, and nobody can tell 10 wha,
extent his forgettulness would have run.
had it not been disturbed by another ofthose
peryerse accidents which seem TO be design
ed by the malignant fates to bother gentle
men Of genius, likely fellows. and such high
minded sublimities on two legs Tom was
one evening lacing up his pantaloons for
ball. Not handsome said be looking in
the glass--but killing genteel.' At this mo
ment the cassimer gave way in a most dis.
sstrous rent in he knee! 'T'other pair
then said he; but alas Tom had not an
other pairl Bahr he exclaimed. cash,
credit and pantaloons gone then | must
make nay fortune and so here goes'
At these decisive words, Tom sat down
to make his fortune, and began to rub his
head and think. A man OF genius has, oil
course, the world at his command, and Tom
debated at first with himself whether he
would be secretary Of state or minister 10
the court Of St. James, Both officers had
some thousands of dollars salary, and Tom
was OF the opinion that either might do Till |
something better turned up. His cogita.ions,
however. were awfuily interrupted by the
recollection that possibly neither Of the act.
ual iucumben.s could be displaced, without
IL.