Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-12-31
Tom Tipp@ the Man of Genius,

Tom Tipp was great genius. His infant
years were marked by uncommon precocity
ot intellect. The same thing, indeed, has
hecn sold Of sundry other persons; but in
Toms case we have the fac, upon nngues-
ionabe authority. The first ben, of his ge.
Mus displayed itself by discovery III The
science of bread aud butter. How many fnll
grown people there arc who cannot tell
which side their bread is bu;tcred! ! Yet
Tom found 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 IN summers day
lie demolished picture books, and smashed
rrockcry, in n style that showed he would
speedily become smart, cnterprslng vonng
man: These aniicipations were soon iuihl-
led. He played trusnt. and bca, the school.
mistress. by the time the other boys had mas
tered half the alphabet Need say more !:
Every body called him lad of spirit, and
predicted he would make a noise IN the
world
IL is not exactly known at what age he
fire, go; into debt-ihut manly exploit which
is sure TO mark the career of a man of genius
Mt very early period. Let 1t suffice, Tint
he ran up scores III various quarters, io the
annoyance of his parents and the astonlsh-
school boy pranks may be passed over; tricks
had he in him which gentlemen have: At
collegc, Tom kept up his character; lie rob
bed hen roosts. badgcred the tutors, raised
rcbcllons, sci fire to the college, aud attnlne
10 the glory Of a speedy expulsion. a ca
recr so brilliant at the first onset promised
great things, aud Tom was set down 5y all
his aronaintnncc a. a lad of undivided spirit
and genius. In truth, he thought az much
himself aud was determined 10 make his for
tune as soon ms he had sown his wild onts.--
lie had FIVE thousand dollars TO begin wl,h
Two or three years did Tom spend III adj
miring the smoothncss Of his pantnloons, as
he walked up aud down Broadway; two or
three more in cutivatlng whiskcrs aud two
or three more in cocLl his nat over his left
oar. He now thought himself finished and
quite the thing aud all the town called him
n likely fellow. AT this critical moment he
searched his pocket for five dollar hIll, and
TO his great surprise. found his pocket empty
I'other pocket was empty too, ana his sur
prise grew into astonishment when further
scrutiny informed him that all his cash was
gone. Five thousand dollars = exclaimed he
in amazemcnt 'and is it all gone Echo
nnswered-'Gone y
Was ever discovery more mn dpropos ?
med by il but Tom instantly hethought hm-
self that he was a man of genius, aud this Sc,
NIL to rights. i have only 10 make my fo:. ,
tune said he. that's all. Yes. III make my
fortune without putting it off uny longer
what signifies waiting:' So saving, Tom
went off TO the theatre, and thought no more
about il.
Bnt a day or Two afterwards, iailor's bill
cnnc sinring him IN the face. Tom put hs
hnnd in his pocket again. and WINS again re-
minded Of his want Of cash and his posses
SION Of genius. 'Pshaw !. said he, III make |
my for'une-Td forgot to do IL 4; but II seems
10 he time now Tom, having said this,
lighted his cigar with the bill, pulled up his
crnvai. and sallicd forth upon stroll.
Some weeks afterwards came third re-
nrmhrnncer. IN the more emphatic shape of
constable, with an awkward scrap Of paper. \
Tom a"' rid nf him with some difficulty for n
c"n-'nbl"s are sort of folks that hold young II
n'"n oi gruins in no grcat respect. Really II
s"id Tom. u must mako my fortune; 7 may
~ well do u nov nrd have il ovcr--so lct me \
think of II ih" first thug in-mortow morning
With these words, Tom went ofr TO What's.
his.nnme's. up the street, and called for cham.
pagne and oysters. III
Toms fortune making scheme appeared 10
longer, and nobody can tell to what cxtcn,
his fcrgeifnluess would have run, had il no,
been disturbed by another Of those perverse II
s-cidents which seemed 10 be designed by
the malignant farcs Ia bother gentlemen OF
e" mus. likely fellows. and high minded sub
iimii'es on Two legs Tom was one evening
lsring no his pauialoons for ball. Not
said he. ns be looked in the glass
hat killing gentecl.' A. this moment the
rsssiInere rnve wsy in n most disastrous rent
IN tho knee 'T'oiher pair. ihen.' said he III
,uf. alis' Tom Ind not sro,hcr pair BAH"
20 exclaimed. cash. credit. and pantsloons \
'"nr = then must make my fortune, ond 90 4
ere goes liz
~ these serisivr wc,d-. Tom sm down NJ
.ake his fortune anj begun 10 rob ms hond hu
nd think A man Of senios has Of ceun. b