The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-09-04
9n gnterssting sketfB.
Renaissance Of the Hon. S. S. PrentiSS,

FYyeside comprised in one of o series of sketches
from the pen of a talented author, the following
Incidental reference to the great orator OF the
Southwest, the lamented PEENTlss. Those VINO
knew anything of this extraordinary man while
living, and appreciated the many noble qualities
that adorned his character, cannot fail to be IN
terested in perusing this sketch while those less
fortunate viii find much that is instructive and en-
sertaining.-Eps. INTELIIcEScEn.
Emerging from romantic dell, we
came upon high road, which led us to a
small brick-enclosed cemetery, half hid
den n.by shrubbery. We had enquired for
Prentiss' grave, and we were told we
should find it within this quiet enclosure,
wherein three or four ancient looking,
moss.grown tombs were visible, half OBJ
scured by vines. The iron gate was lock-
ed. / climbed it, and making my way
through. matted grass and tangled creep
ers, stood before the upright slab of white
marble which marked the resting place of
the great Orator. 1 barred my head in
the presence of the mighty dead; for,
with all his infrmities, Prentiss was the
peer of the greatest intellect of his age.
Justice has not yet been done to his noble
character. His errors are ali roferable to
his physical infrmity. He was lame
very lame, and had been SO from his
birth. When he grew to boyhood, scnsi-
tive and talented and ambitious, he felt
keen his lameness and wept over de-
fornity which, in his own mind, degraded
him in the. presence of his schoolmates
Early he learned to taste the bitterness
of an ambitious and lofty spirit, feeling
physical infcrioty, while he was proudly
conscious sofintellectual superiority. When
he became a. man, his painful sensitive
ness to his lameness led him to withdraw
himself from all female society. Under
the cloud of his morbid feelings, he fan
cied ,con,an scorned him He felt hum
L.cd and degraded in her presence. The
harb thus ranked ever in his heart He
did not know till long afterwards, when
lovely woman gave him her heart and
hand, that true woman is interested
more by the splendor of mind in man,
than symmetry in person; that beautiful
women. look rather to the intellect and
are dazzlcd by it, no matter how plain
tlecaslset.
For thirteen years Of his earlier man.
hood he refused introduction to ladies'
Such. was the scnsitiveness of this proud
nature. He we'll knew his own intellec
tual powers, and, knowing them, he de-
spised more and more his infrm body,
and believed that all others did. Yet his
face was wonderfully handsome. His
head was large and noble and grand in
outline. His smile was beautiful. His
powers of conversation were imperial and
unapproachable Yet, constantly feeding
upon his own morbid emotions, he de-
spised himself. He felt Qille some nigh
sy angel in chains bound to a body that
lacked the full and perfect impress of his
kind. This one, uncomfortable idea was
never absent from him. Once, an injudi-
cious friend indiscreet with wine, said,
"Prentiss, what made you lame ?"
Mr.. Prentiss turned upon him a with
ering look of scorn, hatred and contempt,
and answered in hoarse and terrible
whisper, before which the other trembled:
Goods Curse, Sir"
Then turning his back upon him, with
q lip tremulous from unfathomable feeling,
he covered his face with his hands, and
Fastening to- his chamber, cast himself
upon his bed in a paroxism of bitter
weeping. Who could not pity such a
man? Who shall wonder, oh uncharita-
BILE Pharisee, that he sought relief at the
gaming board, stalking thousands reck-
lessly upon a card; or in the intoxication
of the wine cup? He gamblcd not for
money-he drank not from love of strong
drink, but to escape the pressure of damn
ing thought. The sight Of his infrm limb
at times would drive this proud man to
fierce despair! What cared he for the
sots who focled about him and drank at
his expensc They were his tools. He
made use of them to help him drown re-
Election! They drank for sensual thirst OF
drink, he, to quench the fires of thought
He despised them! Not one dare take Il
familiarity with him! He who spoke to
him lightly of his lameness was unfor-
given forevermore!
Who Will fling the stone? Who will
80, 1rLo oo,, indnn him who WAS