Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-05-25


sed with him and publishers demonstrated;
how at one time he had so far conquered
his propensity as to call himself. ir a let
ter to friend, "a model OF temperance
and other virtues and how at another
he forfeited the occupation which was the
sole dependence of his little family, by
frequent relapses into old. disgraceful ha-
bits how he committed, under the ex-
citement of intoxication, faults and excess
ses to which no gentleman would plead
guilty, how he borrowed money of his
friends without the means or intention of
returning il; how he forfeited the esteem
even while his talents commanded thea
niiration of the public, how he succeeded
in bringing many literary speeulations into
life, which his vicious habits and inatten-
ton to business murdered in their youth !;
how he became a confirmed drunkard,
with only now and then fitful hour or so
in which to throw off on paper the va
CRIES of his mind, rich in learning and
imaginative fancies; how his young wife
died broken-hearted, and how he became
SO reduced as to be able no longer 10
make an appearance among his friends !;
how his wife's mother, constant TO his
ceal his vices, went with his MSS. from
Office to Office, and from publisher to pub
Usher in search of the means to support
him how for little time he shook of the
lethargy of intoxication. and again ap-
peared in the polite circles of New York !;
how he was carressed and feted. and con-
graduated how the efforts of his pen
were sough, by rival publishers; how he
was engaged to be married second time
to a beautiful young woman. and how the
engagement was finally broken off through
his return to his pernicious habits. 1t were
a weary tale indeed.
The melancholy story of this mans life
was soon to close-the golden thread to
be rudely snapped assunder-and by his
own hand. He had partly recovered
from his dangerous course, and was en-
gagged in delivering lectures in different
towns. They were well attended, and it
was with something like renewed conf
dence that the well wishers of the lecturer
watched his conduct, which was now dis
tinguished by extreme sobriety. He even
appeared to have renewed his youth and
strength and it was with pleasure that
his friends again received him into their
houses. At one of these he met with a
lady with whom he had formerly been
acquainted. Their friendship was renew.
ed, and they were engaged to be married.
Everything seemed to promise well the
dawn of a better day appeered; and the
reformation so long coming, seemed to
have come at last. But il was not to be,
On sunny afternoon in October, in the
year 1850, he set out for New York, to
fulfil literary engagement and prepare
for his marriage. He arrived at Balti-
more, where he gave his. luggage TO a
porter, with directions to him to convey
it to the railroad station. In an hour he
would set out for Philadelphia. But he
would Just take glass before he started.
for refreshments sake, that was ALL
Fatal houri In the tavern he met with
some old acqurintances. who invited him
to join them. In a moment all his good
resolves-home, duty, bride and honor
were forgotten; and, ere the night had
well set in, he was in state of filty in
toxication. Insanity ensued. he was ta-
ken TO the hospital, and on the night Of
Sunday, the 7th of October he died a Ia
wing madman, He was only thirty eight
years old, when this last dreadful scene
of his life's tragedy was enacted.
READER-What you have read is no
fiction. No single circumstance here re-
lated, not a solitary event here recorded.
but happened to EDeAR ALLEN PoE, one
of the most popular of our writers.