Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-05-02
Home. Sweet Home

Though The old trite song, "Home,
Sweet Home" has been sang within the
household, yet now few persons Of all
who have heard its sweet strains, know
who was the author of The beautiful
words
"Mid pleasures and palaces, though we may
Be 1t ever 50 humble, there's no place like
home.''
1t has perhaps never occurred TO the
mind of any acquainted with the circum-
stances, that the writer of song which
has found an echo in so many hearts,
could be other than one who had expert.
enced all the pleasures of happy home;
but sad as is the reflection, it is neverthe-
less rIe, that John Howard Payne, the
author Of Home. Sweet Home" though
he has contributed TO the happiness OF
many homes, never had home OF his
own.
We clip the article below, suggesting
that monument be erected TO the memo
ry of Payne, from the Boston Olive
Branch, and give it place in our COL
umns. believing that it will find res
ponse in the hearts Of our readers.
THE AUTHOR OF SWEET HOME
AS | sit in my garre, here in Washing
ton. watching the course Of great men,and
the destiny of party, | meet often with
strange contradictions in this evenliul life.
The most remarkable was that Of John
Howard Payne, author Of Sweet Home
l knew him personally. He occupied the
rooms under me for some time and his
conversation was so captivating that OF
ten spent whole days IN his apartments.
He was an applicant for office at the time
consul at Tuns--from which he had
been removed What sad thing il was
to see the poet subjected 10 all the humil-
iations Of office-seeking! Of an evening
wewould walk along the street. Once
in while he would see some family cir
Gle SO happy, and forming so beautiful
group, that he would stop, and then pass
suddenly on.
On such occasions he would give his
tory of his wanderings, his trials, and all
and poverty. "How oflen," said he
once. ''have | been in tie heart Of Paris,
Berlin, and London, or some other city,
and heard persons singing, or the hand
organ playing "Sweet Home" without a
shilling to buy the next meal, or place
to lay my head. The world literally
sung my song, until every heart is lamil-
lar with its melody. Yet have been
wanderer from boyhood. My country
! has turned me ruthless from office; and in
old age have to submit TO humiliation
for bread. Thus he would complain Of
bis hapless lot. His only wish was to
die in a foreign land, to be buried by
strangers, and sleep in obscurily.
met him one day looking unusually
sad. "Have you got your consulate 3"
asked.
"Yes and leave in week for Tunis !!
shall never return
The last expression wasnot political
faith. Far from it. Poor Payne his
wish was realized he died at Tunis.
Whether his remains have been brought
to This country, | know not. They
should be; and if none others would do 1t,
let the homeless throughout the world
give penny for monument TO Payne.
| knew him, and will give my penny for
an inscription like the following
HERE LIES
]. HOWARD PAYNE,
The .4uthor of "Sweet Home"
A wanderer in life he whose songs were
sung in every tongue and found an
echo in every heart.
NEVER HAD A HOME.
HE DIED -' A'
In a Foreign Land.
This Picture and That.