The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1855-05-16
Not "a Fiction.

SKETCH OF EDGAR A. POE.
1t was weary tale to tell how often
Ic rcpcntcd and was forgiven; how he
passed from the cditorship Of one
magazine to another; how he went
from city to city, and State to State
an energetic, aspiring, sanguinc, brill
lant man-bcaring the curse of irrcso
lution-never constant but to the Sc
ductive and dangerous bcsetmcnts of
dissipation and prufligacy; how friends
advised him and publishers remon.
slrated; how, at one time, he had con
quered his propensity SO as TO call
himself in letter to friend, model
OF temperance and virtue; and how
at another he forfeited the high occu.
patton (cditoT which was the sole
dependence oc his family, by frequent
rclapScs into his former dissoIutc hab.
its; how he committed under the cx.
citemcnt Of intoXication, faults and
excesscs that were objectionable, how
he forfeited the esteem Of the public.
even whist his talents commanded
admiration; how he succeeded in
bringing many literary speculations
into life, which his vicious habits and
inattention to business murdered in
their youth; how lie became firm
inebriatc, with only now and then a
ii!ful hour or so with which t. throw
off on paper the vagarics of mind
rich with learning and imaginative
tancics: how his young and beautiful
wife died, broken hearted, and how he
became so reduced in appearance as
no longer TO bc able /. to mike his
appearance among his friends; how
his wlfc's mother, constant to his fall.
ell fortunes, and anxious to conceal his
vices, went viii his manuscript from
office to ollie, and from publisher to
publisher, i'll search of means to sup
port him: how, for little while lie
shook otf the iethargy of intoxication,
and appeared in the gay, aristocra,ic
aud wealthy circles of New York city:
how he was caressed, and admired.
ietcd and congratulated by the beauty,
fashion. and elite; how the efforts of
his magic pen and towering genius
were sought by rival publishers; how
he VAS engaged to be married the
second time to an accomplished veal
thy and beautiful young lady; and how
the engagement was finally broken off
through his return to his pernicious
habits. 1t was weary, melancholy
tale indeed.
The versatile, unhappy scenes of
Edgar A. Poe's life w,re soon to close
snapped rudely asundcr by his own
hand lie had partly recovered from
his dangerous curses, and was engaged
in delivering lectures in different
towns. The e were unanimously at.
tended; and it was with something like
renewed confidence that the ardent
friends Of the distinguished lecturer
watched his conduct, which was now
distinguished by extreme sobriety.-
lie even appeared to have renewed
his vigor and youth. and it was with
pleasure and delight that his friends
and acqnantances received him in to
their society and homes again. At
the brilliant parties given at the houses
OF generous acquaintances--at which
he was the lion of the evening--Mt.
Poe met with q fnc and lovely wo.
man, whom he had formerly known.
Their friendship WAS renewed, an at.
tachmcnt was reciprocal, and they
were engaged to be married. Every.
thing seemed to promise well; the
dawn of the better day appeared, and
the wishtul reformation so long com.
ing, seemed TO come at last! On 4
sunny afternoon in October, lS49, he
started to fulfil a literary engagement,
and prepare for his marriage. He
arrived in Baltimore, where he gave
his luggage to u porter, with instruc.
tions to carry it to the railroad depot.
IN an hour he would set out for Phil.
adclphia. But he would just take a
glass before he startcd--tor refresh.
ment sake--that's all. Oh, fatal hour!
In the gorgeous drinking saloon he
met some OF his old acquaintance and
associates who invited him to Join them
in q social glass In moment all
his good resolutions--home, duty,
honor, and intended bride were forgot.
ten: ere the night had manted the
earth with its dark canopy, he was in
state of beastly intoxication. In.
sanity ensued; he was taken to the
hospital and the next morning lie died
miserable, raving maniac. Poor
unfortunate, misguided creature! lie
was thirty'tivc years old when this
last scene Of his lies tragedy was
enacted.
! Kind rc;,lrr. this is u,, c,u,> sk,, ,.L