Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-06-15
Cbirr Iitrraturf.
A Eeat Man Self-wrecked.
EDGAR ALLAN POE.

~ DVy VINO Tau Deen teIL an OTpnau. ne !
parents Of this child had been actors Of some
slight celebrity IN the theathres of the Uni
ted States but dying within short time |
of each other, they left behind them in
state Of complete destitution, three young
children. The eldest of these was hand
SONS boy Of about six years of age. with
quick eye, an active spirit, and a remarka-
bly, intelligent countenance. The merchant
ofwhom We speak had known the parents of
the child; and out Of pity for its helpless
ness, he and his wife, who had no children,
adopted it as their own.
How ardently the happy boy passed his
days in the house Of his benefactor; how he
was loved by these two childess people
how, in tho strength of their great affection
the merchant and his wife took him to Eu-
rope; how he spent some four or five pleas
ant years under the care and teaching Of
reverend gentleman near London; how be
came back again to the city of his birth to
finish his education and how he was gene
rally looked upon a. the rich merchants
hcir-it would take long to tell. But we
would faiu linger on this portion Of our sto-
ry; fain dwell upon his precocous wit and
aptness for lcarning-his feats Of strength
and agility-his ease and grace on horse
back, his deXtcrity in race and stream, and
his success in all that seemed to promise for
him brilliant future. But the truth must
be told no matter how unwilling the teller
lie was sent to the college Of Charlottesville,
amply provided with money. In those days,
dissipation among the students Of colleges
was unhappily but too common and among
the most dssoute and extravagant, the Wild
est ruffiers of the town, the hardest drinkers
and the most daring gamblers, there was cv-
or to be found one more wild and desperate
than they all-and that one was the subject
of our story, now good-looking, free-heart-
cd young fellow of eighteen. Friends ad-
vised with him, and he made fair promises
IN plenty tutors demonstrated and he de-
clured that lac would amend and win the
highest honors yet companions tempted and
wine allured, aud he embraced the filthy 81.
ren and so fell. Instead Of coming home
fIom tue university with houors, he was ex
PEELED.
One woUid think that disgrace SO public
would have broken his proud spirit but i
did not Because his benefactor refused t.
II
lego, the wifui young man wrote him vio
lent and abusive letter, Quilted his. house
and soon afterWard left his country with tn
avowed intention Of joining the Greeks, VIII
were at that time in the midst of their struc
gle with the Turks. lie never reached hi
destination, and nothing was known or hear
of ham for more than year. At last, how
ever, he was found, and in circumstance
which left no doubt as to the manner
which his European experiences had bee
bought. One morning, the American Mi
listers ct st. Petersburg was summoned
save countryman Of his own from the p"
alties incurred in a drunken dehauch I
came Ia time to rescue our prodlgal from
prison and through his influence he W
set at liberty, and enabled to return hopl
The frat to greet him on his landing "
his old patron, tho merchant, who was NJ
alone in the world, for his wife had di
whilo the youth was away. But he took
yanderer to his armsaud led him back to
quiet home he had quilted so ungracious
The question then arose as to what should
done for the youth and On his expressi
wish to become a soldier, interest '
made with the merchants friends, and
Young man was entered as a scholar in
military academy at West Point. For
tie time all went on well the young ca
wns assiduous in his studies, became the
vorite Of the mess, and was looked upon
the officers and professors as one OF 4
most promising pupils. But alas, and a
the old habits Of dissipation were too str
4 Ill o. l., II
his duties he drank to excess he d
beycd orders heopenly sneered at the
uIations Of the academy-aud in ten mo
from his matriculation, he was cashiere
Disgraced and humiated, where c.
the wretched man find refuge but in
home Of his adopted father Thither, t
he went, and was again received with
arms. During his stay at the acad
the merchant had married again to Il
some years younger than himself. Time
sed on bat, just as the sun of happiness S
ed abou. to shine once more upon bin
quarrel BOX place between him and the
which svercd forever all ties of frienc
betweef the merchant and his protege
mother circumstance which is scarcely
mentiA here, was hinted at and viii
true, tirows dark shade upon the qu
and a3ugly light upon the character Of
dissip4 fed youth. Whatever the cause,
ever, the merchant and his adopted sor
ted irhnger, never to meet again and
the 1rmer died, the latter shared no pc
of his wealth.
Again thrown upon the world by hi:
misconduct, the young man tried his
in a field common to young men, and
several poetical pieces aud articles il
magazines. These were so we'll receive
Heyas almost tempted to believe tn
coM obtain living by literature. B
old hats returning, he dcspaired Of 81
in his neAavocation, and enlisted as
yate soldiorp the army. He was so
cognized by Srmcr companion in th
itaPv academy. great interest beg
bO folt for him Il ng the officers.
proposed to buy commission Tor t
ented and hands<nc young man br
= f-;oads bor,n b rally round bim, Al