Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-06-15


had almost forgotten him.
In1833, however, the propretors of mag
azne offered two prizes for the best poem
and tale which should be suitable to their
paCes. Numerous MSS. were sent for COM
petition, and day was appointed on which !
the arbitrators should meet to Judge of the
merits Of the various productions. Almost /
tha frat rnanuscri1S tfie,evvvvs v'v,,,..-l
ed attention, from the remarkable beauty
and distinctness Of the hanG writing One
Of the arbitrators read page or two and was
charmed. He called the attention of his
friends to the tale, and they were so much
pleased with it, that it was read aloud from
beginning to end, and all admitted that it
was worthy the highest prize. The conf
dental envelope was opened-a Latin mot
to was discovered. No other tales were read
and the award was Immediately published.
But where to find the author, so that the prize
money might be paid. The publisher and
arbtrators had not to wait long. In the
evening following the announcement, young
man came to the Office to claim the prize
He was pale and thin, even to ghastIiness,
and his whole appearance bespoke dissipa-
! ton, want and illness. a we'll worn coat,
buttoned up to the chin, concealed the want
Of a shirt, aud imperfect, wretched boots, dis
covered the absence of stockings. But he
looked a gentleman, nevertheless; for his
face and hands, though haggard and atten-
uatcd, were clean and spotless, his hair was
we'll arranged, his eye was bright with intel
ligence, and his voice and bearing those of Il
scholar. The publisher and arbitrators were
interested extremely. They inquired into
his history, and finally offered him employ
nent on the magazine for which the tale had
) been written.
:, A little money judiciously applied soon
altered the appearance of the young man,
5 and in a short time he took bis placeas second
editor Of a monthly magazine, with the means
, and position of gentleman.
Now here was an opportunity Of retriev-
ing his lost character. Here were friends,
ready notIouiy 10 overlook the past, but to
) assist in making his future calm and free
from care. Here was public ready to lis
} ten to his teachings, and a patron ready to
reward his labors. For a little while all
went on well, and those who knew him De-
, gan to congratulate themselves upon the hap
change. Those who before adrnrred ms
genius were beginning to respect his integ,
C rty- He was happy and successful in his
t new ayocatiQn. lie married a young and
o beautiful girl, his cousin; he found for him
/ self cottage, which the care, economy an(
J. gentle temper Of his wife converted into ;
!, home, and he was beginning to be happ!
e man. 1t wonld be well it our story ended
10 here; bat, alas for human frailty alas 70
e goCj resolutions made withoutprayer to God
is alas for principles in which He assist not.-
I'd the young lrssband of that fair young wifi
v fell back into the <hyss, and forfeited the res
es pect Of his employers and the sympathy {
ia friends, through his devotion to the bottle
en- II were weary tale to tell row often h
a repented, and was forgiven; how h. passe
to from the oditorship Of one magazine to ID;
n Of another; how he went from state to stat
lie and from city to city, hard working, a
a pinng, sangpine, talented man, bearing
7as bout him the curse Of irresolution, never co
,e. slant but to the seducivo and dangerous b
vas setmeut Of strong drink; how fr'oui- .'I-i
ow ed with him, and publishers demonstrated
led how at one time he had so far conquered |
the propensity as to call himself, in letter to
the friend, a model of temperance and 9th
Nv virtues {; and how, at another he forfeited t
be occupation, which was the sole dependen
inc ol'nis little family, by frequent reiap<es II
was his old, diSrraceful habits howhe comm
tbn ted, under the excitement of intoxicati(
the faults and excesses to which no gentlem
lit would plead guilty; how he borrowed m'
,det ev of his friends without the means or int
, fa- ton of returning it how he forfeited the
, bv teem-even while his talents commanf
heir the admiration of the public how he S
las ceeded in bringing many literary speculate
,ono into life, which his vicious habits and II
ctoJ tcntion to business murdered in their yol
li.o- how he became n confirmed drunkard, y
rec. only now and then ftful hour or SO
nt6s which to throw off on paper the vagarie
d. a mind r;chin learning and Imaginative
ouId cies how his young wife died broken he
the ed, and how he became so reduced as *
,hen, able no longer to make an appearance am
omen his friends how his wiie's mother, cons
emv to his falling fortunes, and ever anxious
lady conceal his vices, went with his MSS.
pas office to office, and from publisher to
SEEM Usher, in search of the means tosupport
m, n how for little while he shook of the lei
lady. gy of intoxication, and again appearediI
dsbip polite circles of New York HOY he wa
A. ressed, and feted, and congratulated
fit for the efforts of his pen were sought by
ch if publishers how he was engaged to be
larrel ried second time to beautiful young
{ tho man, and how the engagement was f
how broken off through his return to his pc
D mar ious habits. 1t were a weary tale indee
when The melancholy story Of this mans
,rtion was soon to close-the golden thread t
rudely snapped asunder-and by his
S own hand He had partly recovered from
hand dangerous courses, and was engaged il
wrote Hvering lectures in different towns.
n the were we'll attended, and it was with s
d that thing like renewed confidence that the
lat he wshers Of the lecturer watched his col
'ut his which was now distinguished by extreu
uccess briefly. lie even appeared to have rer
a pr- bis youth and strength and it was
on re- pleasure that his friends again receive
le mil into their houses. At one Of these h
ran to with lady with whom he had been f
It was Iy acquainted. Their friendship was
he tal ed, and thew were engaged to be m