Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-02-17
From the Columbus Enquirer.
POOR JOHN CLARK.
A TRUE STORY.

About the hrst oil May, 1921 was
with two friends through the !.
hen Greek Nation, and just before the
sun was sparkling his last rays Ger the |
horizon we stopped at house
for the night, then known as Lewis
stand. This place is situated about
miles west of Columbus, on
the old, Alabama road, and is well
known to travellers and the people in
that section Of country to this day.
Those who have ever travelled in a
wilderness country will appreciate the
zest with which an only house, in the
far distance Of the days journey, is
reached and enjoyed. Its approach
and first sight is truly charm. Rest
and home for the moment are there;
accommodations the coarset are COM
forts rare, and though humble and sol
itary was the semi-wigwam TO us, we
felt as easy, free and happy as persons
ever could do, reposing in the mixed |
pleasure Of both the pursuit and pos
session of present and future objects.
After alighting and houseing our bag
gage, and casting an eye around at the
family appearances, and things in gen
eral, / called for something to drink.
Yes, something 10 drink, as a matter OF
course, for such was the genteel fash
ion of those days, when custom with
her seductive and deleterious sway
seemed to require drinking as an evi-
dence of sociability, and treating as
proof that man had heart as well as
purse Happy the reform since
that period in the public morals-in
the Intellectual dignity of man; when
nov, civilization may not depend upon
the interchange of cups, nor pollteness
upon the medium of nauseating fluids.
immortal reform wherein riau be-
comes master of himself, and eschew-
inc the evils and debasements ofthe
brute, or artificial idiot, he rises and
acts as he was made, in the "image OF
his greet creator" but 10 return. l
invited the only other guest OF the
house to patlke Of our spirits; he did
d so readily, and observed took large
e drink, and Immediately seated himself
r bv the fireside Very soon he fel
: PROSTATE on the hearth, and almost in.
S TO the fire, from which we as sudden
r vreIeived him. In short time which
e seemed remarkably short from the cir
n cumstances, he became sober again
is and soon was chattering away with In
IS last sound organ perhaps which an &C
it tive mind had bouyed up DER tn
j. shattered wreakihgs ola foundred con
l. stitution. | asked him his name an
e, history 1t was short but eventfl
IN and one of its peculiar incident
is left an impression and moral uPo
ID nv mind which / have never fOrgo
e, ten. Reader, l give it to you; liste
of 10 his pathetic story-to his fears, an
ed oh /! to his hopes to his fond yet has
en- less vision, of returning and seeing b
ut mother, then you will sympathize WI
We Poor John Clark in his death strugg
oh again 10 behold her, and following hi
in his melancholy situation and lee
in ing you thus appreciate the fine moi
nd of his story, and the noble affections
of his heaat
err He told me he was born and rails
,us in New York and emigrated to Pin
full delphia, that there he had enlisted
= the army for five years, and had rece
it " been discharged at Fort Scot; t
rri- he was thrown upon the world s.
f a from home'' without friends, NOR
less h .allh or conveyance; that ne
mes wandered ap and along amongts
and Indians to where he was then and t
lest he was trying to get back to Philad
the mia to see his mother and to diem
of arms! He was evidently well edu
be- ted; and he had seen better days.
we was another prodigal, returning to
ned, bis father (mother) but he never co
six return: death had laid upon him his
tramp, and never again could ne
emn hold that angel smile, which beams
-et | Ilv thro'a mothers love. Hewas
cir poorest living object ever saw,
rous most haggard mien and AFFECT Wis
,me- clinging to the last nuclns Of life W
fore a wasting consumption had lett MI
the he twas emphatically a living CO
open standing, on his grave. oh !
Il TO he. if LIQUID only see my mot
oner, One of my travelling compaln
nose. Young. inexperienced and though
was spoke rather iocosely and tauntlr
epos- to him, and told him it lmposs
, not he could ever do sony friend
nch a evidently struck heavy upon his
and ing passion, the last thread and P
offer- lum of his life. He bursted into
kent and in the most piteous tones
alton. ooh you ought not to have told n :
evil I know l can never get back but d
orov tell me so. Oh dc. not dlsco'
;l;tsrv me. for it will kill me if | cannot
- II. 500 With many such agonIzln
which CARNATIONS Of hope and disPair-.
ol;,arv tuuate my friend jeered him agal
o,hinc perhaps more positively than !, D
- coro This the more heightened bis dl III
~ :. and he almost exhausted himself
7 h;m mentation. AT length he agal1