The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-03-30
WILLIS GAYLORD CLARK.

4 Philadelphia cores spendent OF the
Enicterboc'er. writes AS follows:
81 loved Willis Gaylord Clark; and If ycu
will pardon bit Of personal history. want
to tell you Of my first interview with OLA
pod, simply because love to recall his ele-
aancc and beauty, aud his high sense OF
courtesy and justice.
In 1888 or A, was the grcenest country
toy in the beautiful county OF Bucks in
PENNSYLVANIA, where dccayng qnakerism.
having run its principles into prejulces and
its faith to traditions, was preaching cru
SADIE OF the spirit against reason. Substi-
tutng rudeness for plainness. and ignorance
for innocence, it had succeeded IN transform
ing the rustieity into vnlgarity, and in peo,
ping that land of beauty with set OF reli-
gions.s in whom hostility to art and the cul-
tivation Of beauty had become chronic. In
the very focus OF such conditions was born
and lived; and 81 did Tom Hicks. We went
to the same school: fought each others bat
ties: stole apples together: stoned the pigs,
and vowed to thrash the same school master
when we .get to be men, But Tom was :
born artist, and he had home affections and
influences. | was cast in a lower mould oi
character and talent. and was also ii poor
devil of an orphan, af,caps using poor devil
in the idomatc. not in the profane sense
Tom used to do the painting aud the draw
ing on the slate, and did the rhyming.
called him Benjamin West: he reciprocuted
bv strlnr me Walter Scott. All. he has
vindcated his claim to the title; | have il
vet to do: aud | groan with the apostle
How am / Strengthened until it be accom-
plshea?'
Tom went away; | remained. He es.
capcd the conditions; | embodied them
H. was the only boy | ever loved, being
myself girl. ali but the sex. loved lii
tie girls. for them my heart was like heav-
On, or IN omnibus. never full; yet retain
nv love for Tom, although he has ouigrl WI
ME.
So | was propelled through youth, by the
out side pressure Of false conditions, and in
ward riot OF nature glowing like the trop-
les; and these converging forces kept me in q
perpetual sspinround' in their Internal focus
somewhat on the principle of recrcating
Water-w heel.
From the midst Of these 'outwards,' once
on Il time, | went to see Willis Gaylord
Clark, then editor of the philadeph phia ia.
.t4te. | remember the clothes | wore and
how arranged and brushed them to take
Off the country. but it would stick to them
That gray. linsev- -woolscy coat, made cara-
cious to invite growth, with huge pockets
side for chestnuts aud apples: and thick
woven mittens, trowsers OF the same mate
rial. rough inside as rasp. to promote coun-
ter-irritation and dilute the blood, made OF
ample dimensions. with tncks, so as to last
for SUNDAYS two winters and tor common.
indefinitely: waist-coat somewhat short
but wide, 10 compensate with staring brown
figures big and bold. as compromise with
the gravity of the color, commodions hide
boots, heavy and hob nailed, emitting COM
pound o,ior of leather aud grease. when near
the fire: u wool hat of aspiring crown and
diminutive brim, and a shilling cotton BAN
ianna, to display on occasions ot emo
tion.
So att;rnd, went to the city Of Bretherlv
Love with forty pairs OF chickens, siS tar
KEYS, and two opPo ssums, (the latter har-
D p1uned in the hen roos, with pitch fork,
and their carcasscs, otherwise contrabapd,
to be sold to pay for their drPredat'ons)
with this provendcr to sell on account OF my
guardian, and poem in those trowsers pock-
cts to exhibit on my account. Invent. Inc
marketing sold, not to the best advantage
either, for the poem and Mr.. Clark were in
nv mind. called at the office, inquired for
the editor, stated that my business was 'per-
sonal and private and was ushered into the
sanctum, amid the smiles of clerks and oth-
crs.
Mr.. Clark was alone, and deeply absorb
ed: and there was |, in the presence OF a re-
al live poet. slid quietly on to half the
nearest chair holding my wool hat between
my knees and the handanna in my hand,
tremblngly awaiting him to lock up. He did
so in few moments and the penstve, almost
melancholy beauty of his face lit up with Il
faint smile us he saw the apparition. was
all eyes, for there sat the man who edited
.our paper and writ the verses had cried
over in the barn and in tho corn,iield, and
tried to initiate. on Sunday mornings when
our folks had gone TO church. Ny earnest
ness, suppose, interested him. tie DID not
laugh, as feared, but gently said:
DO YOU wish 10 see me sir."
said .yes;" and trembled, and my eyes
filled in spite Of myself. 81 come to ASK
your advice about some verses have writ
ten"
"You write verses. do your he said pleas
ant}y, and added: It's poor business
Mot If ! could write such asyoufs," re-
Piled
"perhaps you may" said he. ALLOW me
to see yours. What do Won call then -
'Tae Home Of tie Poets" said |, handing
him the papers: Git was the substantial tool
soap, well tumbled.)
"Poets have no home on earth," he ssidi