Smyrna times., 1860-03-15
Written for che Siayrna Times.
How Phrenology Saved my Life.
FROM DATES IN THE DIARY OF A TRAVELLING
a. "a PHRESoLoGIAN. s

1 am now young e. ana prouaislng law
ger. | have laid my foundation in general
education, but most fortunately ins Thorough
knowledge of human inature,-thanks to Phren-
ology,--my homage to her. | will every.
where, before men, acknowledge my old mis-
Ftress. Whatever be my success through life.
| must look back to her as my alma mater. -
She furnishes me the cold, correct. uniform
compass that directs my passionate bark TO it's
star; she furnishes me the key that uplocks
the world, and playsso smoothly through every
variation. If you ask, why desert so good
mistress, answer, am unworthy her digni6ed
hand, and she has shown me another, more
lcongenial TO both parties. But to my story
During the summer of '57, desiring TO see
the Sunny South joined lin MS profession
al tour my old friend and preceptor, Prof. o.
5. Fowler. acted as his agent and private
amanuensis. The company was large, success
was great, we attracted much notice. aud was
tho envied purser of the troupe. Extensive
travel in that capacity for years. without any
interruption or accident of any kind. had made
me confident, careless, ,alkative and youthful
hearted toward every one. However, when
forwarned. i was wide awake, and, having The
best of teachers, could read my man. But now.
often shudder upon rejecting on the places
have been through, unguarded and unarmed,
and the exposures have boyishly subjscted
myself to. have a hundred times passed
through pokerish localities, late at night. on
my way from the lecture, with the proceeds
Hardup rascals prowl about public entertain
nents, if any where. Many time have ts-
ken long journeys. between the far separate
places of the West and South, with tempting
sums, as lhepublic agent of popular lecturer;
and It's wonder how | have esca ped unscarsd.
At Nashville, during the Convention OF The
M. e. Church, South. we were sstonishingly
successful and popular. The old man = con-
clsded, however, to quit here for the season and
take to his farm, North, as was bis custom,
Summers. So here the troupe broke up, and I,
concluding 10 put some Of my splendid school
ing 10 use, launched out upon the uncertain sea
of public tesching. My success was immsdi-
ate, at times overwhelming, and | was consci-
oas. undesersed. II intoxicated me. and &C.
ted fush everywhere. must pay a visit TO
- Springs, where the elite of the South
were won't to gather. reasoned that happy
his there and general acquaintance would be
of service to me throughout the South, where
intended TO travel 10 the few coming years
No sooner suggested than decided and under
taken.
As alightsd from the stage at The piazza o
the Spring hotel, | heard the words, in an in
different voice, % Prof Fowler's agent" Losk
ing around 10 see whence the exclamation pro
ceeded. discovered two men. One was iine
easy looking old gentleman. and The other wa
a well built young man, with blank countc
nance, expressing blank mind. A cigar wa
stuck into bis cheek; be was locking dopn
rubbing his thumb. II struck me that he wa
the one who recognized me, for ihe old gentle
man bid me ;. good morning. Sir" in a muc
different voice. / stayed at The Springs lw
weeks; spent money as though there wa
plenty back Of it. but made no acquainianc
with The young man, concluding had no u
for "ihem" kind. Generally whenever | saw BIZ
be was leaning his chair back against the sid
!. OF The house, cigar stuck 10 bis cheek, ookin
down. fingers snarled among each other, ar
saying nothing TO any body.
III Two months after this. there was to be bel
at Jackson, the annual agricultural fair of We
! Tennessee district. was Told tha, il I we
" there and got well noticed beforehand, won
!. coin money. Those fairs are the greatest a
4, nusl excisements Of the State. There tho
"a sands Of Tennesseeans gsthes in all The fus
!. ness Of money. pride and passion, all Of viii
:. Cow profusely. took a room next to The b
= at the hotel, and il was constantly full. IT
= Town was so full Of people that all parts of I
= only hotel were used promiscuouaIy by the pI
- miscuous crowd. Four beds we're made up
" my Office floor, sad fourteen Tennesses bloc
= burksd there s'nights, and smoked. drs
~ whiskey and chaited during the day.
e mofaing, early, from the promiscuous ejacu
!. - tions there csme. ssBy G-di my Imone
- gons!" This made me feel for my own, wh
80 | found siiIl secure under me. Suspicion
:. tened upon poor lsiasraat stenciI-cuiter, '
~ lodged there, and carried. usually, sneak
look. But it would have been unwiss to
az cuss say individual, 40 every sody--snd nga
81 beaids-wers Out and 10 during the night.
w. astt eveaiag ~ We were sisting about smoki
tho stencil-cotter spoke up:
- y Professor, without any disrespect 10 yo'
- yeus Seissce. dent beliess you can tell
mj' character; suppose you Try"
n Wsll," said |, : little Matted At impe'
,s,., nsas from such source III youswaa
ahss thsrough exsmination you ssn have il lor
ksd usual fss."
sse,' 4 Wall, 60 shssd. = sid ks taking tbs d
p - Tk~ crowd wefs not very we'll dispose'