The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1872-05-18
Poe and the Juleps.

IL me MOnthIy Gossip OF LtppsncOH
A"gazt"e for May. we find the story If tn
author Of The Raven"
John r. Thompson succeeded Edgar A
Poe as editor of the Soukhern Literary Mes
scnger. Fresh from the University, well
| to do IN the goods of this world. ii justl,
proud Of his pOsi,iOn-fOr the messenger
then was the oldest and certainly one ot
the best magazines in the Uni"n-Thomp
son lived en- prince in apartments in Maii
street. One of them. furnished handsome
!y MS a reception room. contained u beaufel
well stocked with the choicest liquors Into
this room came one morning about eleven
o'clock handsome. very intellectual. look
ing man. who. bowing formally, asked il
hc had tue pleasure of addressing Mr. Johu
II. Thompson.
"Yes," said Mr.. Thompson, who had al
ready risen.
MY name. said the stranger. - is Poe >
1t may be taken fer granted that the
youthful editor. who was never lacking in
courtesy, gave his predecessor just such II
quircd. If Thompson felt honored by the
visit. Poe was more than grai.icd by the
cordmlity and untcigned respect manifested
by the young poet. The author of 1.-The
Raven" WAS now seated in al easy chair.
Conversation flowed freely. Poe Of course
taking the lead. and an hour Or two slipped
away seemingly in as many moments.
Poe rose u take leave, Thompson entreat-
ed him to remain. M, he had an engage.
ment As he turned toward the do"r,
Poe's eyes fell upon the bcaufct with its
gliltering array Of silver aud cut glass. and
y change passed over his grave, handsome
face. In AL animated tone he said, "Ah!
you have nice little arrangement there.
NJ. Thomp-on. Perhaps you eau give me
something 10 drink"
"Indced l can." said Mr.. Thompson,
'Wnat will you havc?"
"Tna, depends upon what you've got"
Tn n,i,suI enuunera rated several kinds of
wi,e. whisky. and French brandy, conn
NEEDING the last ns very superior.
Poe chose brandy. Selecting II tumblcr of
The Ordinary size, he lifted the dccIntcr
with steady hand and began t. pour-',ne
finger. Nv" fingers, three fingers, four fin
g"rs. five!
Thompson became alarmed Excuse
my seeming inciviIi,y," said-''such it
really is not, assure you-ou,. Mr.. Poe,
are y"u-are you not taking II lIttlc.-Just
lt'Ic-too much TOR your own good ?"
NO, sir. not a, ali, Was the reply. II
know myself thoroughly well, Mr.. Thonlp.
son. and can gauge myself to u hair. have
had some experience III these matters, aud
have discovered about brandy, good
French brandy. this remarkable pecularity
that it Is less njurous when you ill tht
4 ass as nearly tuil as possible. and leave
r...,.n for ..eH H.iio otter 'r's-it'l.." Aunt
the pouring went steadily on till the tum.
bier was full to the very br'm. Now II
dr"p-just drop--'f wafer, ii you please.
The drop of water-lt was barely more
than that was added. and To Thomps"n's
a,nazc,,,ent and horror, Poe drained his
giass To the bottom.
lie fingered awhile and Thompson fear
ing The brandy might tell upon his dis'in'
gu,shcd guest at .er he got into the street
suggested, rs adioitly aid respectfully AS
he could that q few moments of repOse on
the sofa might be of service 10 him. ''Oh.
no :" said Poe: ''you need have II" t. ars for
me: The brandy is nothing IUe"ireudy
Aud thirteen juteps; and now l think III
step across :he way and &c, my break fast !"
Extending his hand in farewell, he bow.
ed stitIly and was gone