The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-10-21
Pickle Greeley.
THE LAST HOPE OF THE TRIBUNE EDITOR.
LFrom tho Woman's Journal


1t happened to me, in the spring oil
1913, to be a guest in the family of Hor-
ace Greeley. He then lived in charm.
ing old place on the East River, at some
distance from the Tribune office, but casi.
ly accessible by horse cars. A long mar.
row lane, making one feel that the city
was far behind, led to the house, which
was delightfully."- situated on an irregular
rise of ground, close to the waters edge
A pretty, though somewhat neglected
garden lay on one side, and an open lawn
on the other. while the river flowed into
beautiful little bay in front, A piazza
went around the house where one could
sit and count the steamboats, and white
winged vessels gliding almost any mo.
ment, or, if he perferred, he could go
down to the rugged shore, and sit by The
water, and watch the life beneath, or
stretch out his hand for the wild flowers
thrusting themselves above or between
the rocks. 1t was a lovely piece of will.
derness and cultivation. The air was
fresh and pure, and the view open and
charming op every side.
Mr.. Greeley's family consisted then, of
himself, Mrs. Greeley, and little boy
four years of age. The name given to
the child was Arthur Young, but he was
always called Pickle name appropri.
ated by himself one day, when after some
extensive and expensive experiments on
a watch. as the fragments lay about the
room, some one entered and exclaimed in
dismay, "Oh what pickle that is"
The child, appreciating the dramatic sur.
prise manifested, jumped up and down in
great glee, saying 81 Pickle Pickle !"
and Pickle he was ever afterwards.
He was a remarkable boy, and the at.
traction of the house. His beauty was
very rare. His fine soft golden hair fell
in profession over his neck and his blue
eyes grew brighter and deeper as they
fixed upon you, wearing an earnestness
seldom seen in an eye of that color. His
skin was perfect bleeding of the lily
and rose-no painter ever conceived off
fairer. His form was admirably devel-
oped, muscular and strong, and yet 1.-THE
and graceful Every expression of his
face, every movement Of his body was
study for an artist. Each change of dress
each fantastic arrangement of himself in
his sports, seemed the most fitting and be-
coming thing We never saw, and never
expect to see again, so exquisite picture
as he made, indoors or out, iu one mood
or another.
His language was not common. His
ear seemed to reject all barsh and inap.
propriate words, and he never hesitated
for the right expression peculiar it might
be but having always fitness and grace
He had great taste for mechanics, and
knowledge of the construction Of things
Even the details of the steamboat seemed
familiar to him, any popularity in the
craft which passed by was noticed and in
quircd about Immediately. 1.-THE answer
did not sufficiently meet the inquiry, he
would be apt to say, "You do not tell me
the proof about it--you do not show i,
all to me-" The keencss, acuteness and
readiness of his mind in any direction
which it turned woro worry unuoual. Moth.
ing escaped him, and to everything which
interested him he lent new charm by
his shrewd and original way Of viewing it.
Yet he was not prematurcy old, or in.
trusive, or painfully precocious, but en-.
tirely natural, He would play out Of
doors half the day, dancing, frolicking as
gleetul as any young creature could be.
His happiness was so radient that it car
ried you along with it in contagious sym
pathy. lie took it for granted, and nev.
er in vain, that you revealed in the clear
rushing water, the flowers, the birds, and
every living thing just as he did and in
return he followed and loved his friend
with an electric choice and devotion
which won them to his favor. When
anything crossed his wishes, he did not
express it in the fretful and petulant way
so disagreeable in many children, but he
would expostulatc with you, why an.
not happy. Don't you know that does
not make me happy?" lie was not how.
ever without frmness, and great power
Of indignation on rare occasions.
One of the pictures never to be forgot
ten, was the grand delight Of Pickle when
his father could snatch half hour, and
caper through the house or out of doors,
with the child riding astride of his should
ers. His long hair fell over his neck. or
was tossed carelessy about by the exer.
else, HE cheeks were frightened by the
most exquisite color, while his laughing
eyes sparkled with joy, as he leaned his
head, and he touched his kind fathers
colorless face, or stroked his hair saying :
You are beautiful, darling father.
Your hair is so soft ; you are SO nice y
'Ah, Pickle, We belong to the most
prosperous mutual-admiration society, we
do Mr. Greeley would sometimes say, ,and
then go off with his loving burden, hall
reciting, half grooming one Of Barry Corn.
wallis songs or other, the rythmc melody
of which pleased him and his boy. Per.
haps he could not sing a note Of music
correctly, or repeat poetry artistically
but these favorite pieces of mis- never
seemed half SO charming as when the two
moved around in this way to the measure
Oh tne poet. Inc man anu tne ooy were
strangely alike, and unlike
One fragrant spring day Mr.. and Mrs
Greeley, with Pickle and friend, went
over to Greenwood cemetery to select a
family lot there. The boy was all ami.
nation, and every object on the way
seemed to minister 10 his enjoyment
When Greenwood was reached, the
grounds were looked over, Picke leading
of, and darting here and there, as some.
: thing attracted him, when his eyes fell
upon sunny spot where he said he
would bold pretty little white house
1t was very open, and some spring flowers
grew there in great abundance, particu
larly the houstona, Of which he made
punches, and offered to his friends asking