Smyrna times., 1869-10-27
Mcdonald Clarke.

MANY wears ago, there lived in New York
CITY simple unsophisticated child OF Nature,
named Mcdonald Clarke. He had handsome
face and person, as the engraving prehxed TO q
volume of his poems, from portrait by Henry
Inman, shows. He had a prominent noSe'
fine blue eye, noble forehead, and winning
smile His collar was turned down In the By
ronic style, and in winter he usually appeared
In a blue cloak of large dimensions, thrown
carelessly around his shoulders When ne
walked on Broadway, strding along with an air
of conscious PRIDE nldlgre his miserable gar
ments and faded cloak, he never failed to at
tract the attention of strangers. Ills career
was one prolonged struggle with poverty, his
income barely sufficient to keep body and soul
| in companionshp For three long summer
months he slept in hearse for lack OF better
lodgings. Among the very few persons to
whom Clarke's pride would occasionally permit
him to apply for temporary reef with Ger,
tainty OF obtaining it, was his always KIND ana
cOnsiderate friend, FitZ Green HaIleck. AWak-
ening, one morning, with keen sensation OF
hunger, but with no cash, Clarke called at the
lodgings of his brother poet, in W arren street,
and received from Mr. Halleck two-and-a-
half dollar gold-piece to relieve his necessities;
but, before reaching restaurant, he met
!, wandering minstrel, and gave him the gold for
!. playing some favorite air for him. A few
4 moments after, the mad poet rushed into
: bookstore on Broadway, where he was well
e known, and asked to be allowed to conceal
himself from Mr.. Halleck, whom he had seen
ee coming, and who had witnessed the whole
q transaction. At the same time the organ
u grinder ran off at doublc-quick time supposlng
he had received the gold by mistake, and that
q he might he requested to refund it.
a. Clark was of simple and creduous nature,
e and, beginning life as as ttterGteur and lover
IL of the human race, fell into the delusiOn of be-
ID ievng that the fairer portion Of that race was
an always disposed to fall in love with him. Ibis
en- life, therefore, was a series of adventures, In
ne none of which did the course OF true love run
b' smooth. The most beautiful and fashionable
or ladies of New York society were the heroines
Dr. that his genius sought to immOrtalize, and the
IRE shrines to which he swore eternal fidelity. Hl'
extreme vanity was easily hattered, and the
~ small wits of the town, taking advantage OF nj
1i- weakness, often led him to believe the wealth!
'+o young ladies were madly in love with him. 4
gn notable instance occurred in the autumn o
ul- 1921, when poor Clarke was persuaded tha
he the proud and high born Miss Mary cher
tul ished passion for him. The cross-gartering 0
'Sec Malvol0 was nothing to the pranks they mad
OF him perform to win the notice OF his Lowell
lch inanloratG The plot eliminated in a forge
mt invitation to visit the lady at her aristocrati
ry mansion. Borrowing a suit for the occasion
lua and neatly gloved and booted, he proceeded
an the residence of the lady, and rang the bel
rec The damsel, annoyed, and forewarned, ha
ase given directions if he ever appeared, to thru
ana him from the door, which, it is said, was don
Ia rudey, and with cruel contumely.
zen ,ent Poor Mcdonald Clarke now sleeps in swe
III III and romantic spot, closely by Sylvan w,
onu ter in the beautiful cemtery of Greenwood
ren' and his fine face, carved in bass relief on
eng monument, makes love to the Indian Prince
AMI who reposes by his side. On another side
erty his tomb are ty inscribed these lines, writt
IN the by himself
olA' "For what are earthly honOrs now
TdlS He never deemed them worth his care,
ugh And death hath upon his brow
The wreath he too proud too wear
not -AppletOn'S Journal.