Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-18
THOMAS PETERS.

For tie Sunday Appeal
At the examinations Of applicants for
ar'mi sion to the various cIs=ses of the
University Of Mississippi IN the fall OF
1858, there was q bevy Of lads croWdiDg
the halls, s0ms careless and dali, some
rough and unsdUcated, while others were
az bright IS the native sGGlgsncs OF
genius,
There were sluggard youths, sccus-
toned TO play truAnt a. school, and
there were tzOse who had blitheIy
sought the schOOl-rOom, certain of ap-
proving smiles. which urged them 70
excellence. Among these young ssDi-
rants I number THomss Peters, az that
time not more than sixteen years OF age.
His form was 1.-the and petite bis hair
dark and curly lips REQ and full nose
short, with spreading nOstrils-5eeth
seemingly perfect, n eyes that won
rather by the impression Of determine
ton they made, than from any pleading
beauty ; and though there Was nothing
harsh about them, they seemed to de-
msnd that they should scan and know
you before taking you into confidence.
In after days l noticed that when his
confidence was won those same eyes
could express u longing for the sympa-
thy Of the world, though the lips
never expressed the thought ia my hear
ing. He led his class FROM ~ beginning.
1t did not seem to be ambition that bore
him up, but = selEsustainlag sudi:ieaey
TO know and understand, to satisfy q
craving for knowledge. He depended too
little upon policy If he could, by self
sacrifice or any good means, accomplish
the ends consequent upon $ phiiOsOphic
or religious principle, he would exert
himself to the utmost 20 attain that sui,
regardless, entirely. OF the opiEiOn Of
the whole world. He s5ught loo little,
perhaps, the love Of his fellows; not be-
cause he believed his affections too dear
to be lavished, but fer the reason, l sD
preksnd, thai he did believe The world
appreciated the more tender OF human
feelings. IimsgiGe that il tie bosom Of
his family no man would be more x
pressise of heartfelt happiness. In his
lack OF faith il the kindness Of the world
we may hD9 the impelli3g motive 70
dsT-y himself the close intimacy OF his
associates believing that msa should
not be trusted with tbs hearts
secrets, however little harm might
come Of diVulging them. Things
which would really have done
honor to his head and heart. he pre-
ferred, perhaps, to hoard the glowing
ideas of love andhsppiness in his bosom,
to bear alone his griefs, and putting TO-
gether his joys and Whist be suffered, to
ponder the sam and see what would be
the consequence OF his philosophy. An
inference may be dednesd from this
characteristic OF his tsmpersmsns-thAt
men are not, in themselves, equal to
misfortune. However treacheTGus may
BE- mankind, there is yet good IN opsn-
ing u 1.-THE Il OF the soul, and let
ting out that seuPs burden OF joy and sor-
row. Though the world laugh or scof,
there is yet relief.
The sad termination OF his bright life
by his own hand may give evidence of q
power of eentralizing thought and be-
oppressed with the recurrence Of
rem-mbrances Of misfortune,
l have felt inpelled to write OF him IS
I nave above, on account of the great IN
terest l always fslt In him, and 1
know that all OF his elu5-mstes at col
and other friends, will refresh their
remembrance Of his many noble traits OF
and sigh for his loss. The
sorrow we feel is not that e~vanescent
feeling which follows the death OF an
Q sefyzdsy friend, but grows with years,
and whe2 We are old will SppeaE as al
era la our past, which will recall some
Of our most impressive feelings.