The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-06-28
Edgar A. Poe and .le gulep..


In the Monthly Gossip" of Lip
piac0t'S Magaziae, for May, we find
this story Of the author of "rlsi
Raven :"
John r. Thompson succeeded Ed
gar A. Poe as editor of the Southern
Literary Messenger. Fresh from the
University, well to do in the goods Of
this world, and justly proud OF his po-
sition--for the Messenger then was the
Oldest. aud certainly one of the best.
magazines in the Union-Thompson
lived en- prince IN a suite Of apartments
in Main street.
The author of ''1'he Raven' was
now seated In an easy chair. Conver-
satlon flowed freely and pleasantly.
Poe, of course taking the lead, and an
hour or two slipped away seemingly III
rs many moments.
Poe rose to take leave. Thompson
entreated him to remain. No, he had
an engagement. As he turned to-
ward the door, Poe's eye fell upon the
beauttt with its glittering array of sill
yer and cut glass, and a change passed
over his grave, handsome face. In an
animated tone he said:
"Ah. you have nice little arrange
ment here, Mr.. Thompson. Perhaps
you can give me something to drink"
''lndecd ] cam" said Mr.. Thomp-
son. "What will you haye?'
"Ihat depends upon what you've
got"
Thompson enumerated several kinds
Of wine, whisky, and French brandy,
commencing the last as very superior.
Poe chose brandy. Selecting 4 ttim-
bier of the ordinary size, he lifted the
decanter with steady hand and be-
gan to pour-one finger, two fingers,
three fingers, four fingers, fivel
Thompson became alarmed. ''Ex-
cuse my seeming inciviity," said he
-''slIch it really is not, Iassufe you
but Mr.. Poe, are yoti---are you not
taking little-just a little too much
for your own good?"
NO, sir; not at all, was the re-
ply. Il know myself thoroughly
well, Mr.. Thompson. and can Keep
myself to hair | have had some
experience in these matters, and /
have discovered about brandy, good
French brandy, this remarkable pecu-
larity-tht it is least injurious when
You fill the glass rs nearly full as pos
sible, and leave room for as little wa
ter as possible" And the pouring
went steadily on till the tumbler was
full to the very brim. "Now q drop
just u dr0p-of water, if you please"
The drop Of water--it was barely
more than that--Was added, and then,
to Thompson's amazement and hor-
ror, Poe drained his glass to the bot.
tom.
He fingered awhile, and Thompson,
fearing that the brandy might tell
upon his distinguished guest after he
got into the street, suggested, as
adroitly and respectfully as he could,
that few moments of repose on the
sofa might be of service to him.
ION, no" sad Poe, you need
have no fear for me. The brandy Is
nothing. Tie a',ep'y had thirteen Ja-,
ieps; and now | think III step across.
the way and get my breakfast"
Extending bis hand in farewell, he
bowed stiifiy and was gone.
1t Is only necessary to say that this
gifted poet who in his life time had
displayed such a singular power of
such u quick sense of the
beautiful, such humor and great COM
mand of impressive and beautiful Ian
guage;; who had fine intellect anda a
good education; and who "kne'r him-
,eb" died in n hospital of dclirium
remens at the age of 80. A sad ex-.
lmple, but an instructive one.