The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-03-25
LANCASTER MORNING. MARCH gs 1852


to his scant breakfast, there was such
beautiful serenity upon his face, such
sweet gladncss in his eyes, that all who
looked upon him, forbore to taunt or
chidc him.
He told his dream and the hard hearts
that listened were softcncd; and the moth
cr, who held her own babe, was so choked
with her tears that she could uot eat and
the father said inwardly that henceforth he
would be kinder to the poor little bound
boy, and so he was. The child found his
way into their affections, he was so meek,
so praycrful, so good; and at the end of a
twelvcmonth, when the angels did in very
deed take him to heaven, the whole fami-
ly weptaaround, the little coffin as he were
one of their own. But then they all felt
that he was in the bright heavens with
his brother, his father and his dear angel
mother.
THE Curious Man AND TIE PoET.-
The suhioined amusing anecdotc ofM'
Donald Clarke, the mad poet, appeared
in the old New York Spectator in 1927.
A certain poet, whohas written some Of
he best st mas, and some ofthc worst lines
Of any American bard and who, for srmc
particular eCccntricitics, has been reputed
mad, being sometime since at the Assem-
bly, Room, at the City Hotel, was inter
uptcd in his dreams Of fiction, by n stran-
ger, who thus accostcd him.
Is your name Clark, sir.
Clark, is my name.
have C, me great distance, sir, for the
express purpose of seeing you.
Indeed! And do you consider yourself
amply remuneratcd for the fatigue ofa
long journey, by a view of my dclccta-
blc person.
lcs-you are strange looking crca-
turc. Some people say you are mad;
and | have heard number of ladies
assert that if you paid proper attention
to your dress you would be a very pretty
man.
A pretty man! Now, by Heaven, sir,
| consider that one of the most rascally
compliments they could have paid me.
A pretty man, sir Qikc yourself for in
stancc) is, in my opinion, one Of the
most contemplate objects that ever
came from the mandatory of Heaven.
Why so, sir 2
Because, sir, the cpithct implies
the absence Of everything that is manly
They mi "ht as well apply the term to the
Ocean IN storm, an eruption of Mount
Htna. or the falls of Niagara.
We'll you are really strange fellow.
and in my opinion, greater knave than
fool.
Do you think so sir! l really wish
could reciprocate the compliment. But
am certain that not trait in yonr chaarc-
ter will bear any comparison with your
Stiffness, which like Aaron's rod or
Pharoah's lean kline, swallows up all the
rest.
You are severe.
You say that YOU we como great
distance for the express purpose of seeing
me as You would 20 to see a Bear and
Elephant or a Hotttentot Venus!
Yes.
Now, sir, comply with the terms, fifty
IciilS sISHt
Indeed. Well, there. lie gives him
the money.
Stay,sir, take back twenty-five cents; chill
dren half price"
Again! Why, you show no mercy to
one who is anxious to serve you.
To serve me! Then unite your fortune
with mine. Every wild beast that is ex-
hibited in this city, is accompanied with a
monkey.
The stranger finding the poet too much
for him as the pugilist's say,and pcrc"viug
that he was no more deficient in feelings
than in wit and talents, begged his pardon
for having so rudely intruded upon his
mcditations, and was about retiring, when
the poet returned the money; and taking
him by the hand, assured him, that as
impudencc and ignorance are always
united, he could very safely parden his
presumption.