New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-31
RALPH KELLER.
PLEASANT WORDS FROM HIS FRIENDS.


SIR: 1t is some time now since the news OF
the sad fate OF Ralph Kecer reached the ear OF Tue
public and much has been written ABOUT MUD "'
habits and adventures, that 1t seems almost supernu
at this late day add word. Little mas peeh sun
however In the published accounts OF his lfe oil MS
residence as q student at Kenyon College inc wre'
who was a classmate OF koelers during the years VI
1870 40 and 1891 has been surprised NJ this omssiona
feeling that has doubtless been shared by members OF
the splendid class OF 90 all over the land lwou "o'
use this rather superlatye epithet to describe the CLASS
OF which was myself member, were II not iof 'ho
fact that tho peculiar merits OF that class were
and are proverbial, many OF its traditions nav
| ing passed into the legendary history OF oio
| Kenyon" In short, and not TO dwell upon iacs
| that students who there In those years VIII d"
| readily acknowledge, to have been member ol 'no
Glass OF 20 honor that at once the prlde "
s the envy OF all outsiders No one was
more alive facts during those memorable years
| than Ralph Keller who, with George Mann, Frank
Crawford and Oliver Perry used 10 make things partc
ularly Jolly for the rest OF Who OF that merry crow"
will have forgotten the nerable bushes that used To
sufruse Prof. Ts cheeks and even ascend to MS
shiny bald head in the effort to suppress the conflicting
emotions that frequent saes Of these roges woud
excitei "Mr Mann Mr.. Manu. have you no regard Tor
decorm at all 4" in his cultivated IRISH brogue Whch
he brought with him from Trinity College, Dublin; or
Mr. Keller, dear, it's easy seeing what VIII become OF
YOU" half Gliding, half amused tone OF voice. anu
forgotten the thousand such incidents that heed 10
| make up the variety OF those happy daysf
Ralph Keller was OF course, general avorte 10 ms
class cannot say that he was distinguished Tor SUI
perior scholarship outside Of tho Engsh Dranches
though his standing always fair except perhaps In
mathematics lie dsked the thraldom OF exact prin-
cpes, used to contomptuously that 1t required
the saue kind OF genius master mathematics that was
necessary to haven't applcparers and new-fashioned
clohes-p pins. His favorie poet in those days was ION
Moore from whom he used TO quote by the houfi put
that should be set down against him. Tor he DOUBT
less outrew preference that characteristic OF Ger
tain age There used be peculiar kind Of rhythmic
measure hs conversation that expressed ltsef at
times even In his humorous moods and added greatly
TO their effect He adventurous-physicaiiya s wei
| as inteectualy-aDd possessed a degree OF courage
which was surprising when shown, to those who judged
the inner by his compacent, amiable exterior An
instance OF the latter quality was the following;
In another class there was big Pennsylvania, who
shall be nameess for obvious fond Of his joke,
! and by choice in his style OF induglng IN
them There was something about Ralph that invited
| the attention OF this fellow, who, conscious OF MS
superior strength very uncoremonous In his treat
meut OF Keller. This sort of thing came in time 10 be
too tedious bear, and Ralph accordingly made his
| preparations check TO it, Coming into my room
| one night he said:
that fellow attempts any OF his nonsense with me
| again, I'm going 10 whip him."
| AN right" said l, but have you considered your
| dsadv antage in strength and size -
" Oh yes, but shall Offset that by strategic aDity
| " How sol" asked.
| "Why, you may have seen pair OF Drass-hpped
CATERS used to dance IN when n minstrel. mean to
these shoes for his benefit and the next time he
offers any OF his insoence, shall kick him hercey
| three four times the shins. am valuable u
kicker, and the pain inflicted in this will double
| victim up Ny opportunity, arrived shall seize
him bv the hair and proceed to dssect his face
with the brass toe Of my gaor--al Of which can DO
successfully accomplished IN much less time than II
| takes to describe it,"
The next day he in what excited, and said,
| "I sorry You did not see it,"
| "See what ~ said ].
1.-The strategy; it was perfect; only, when got him
doubled up lac looked tired OF the joke did
dssect his face as proposed. He will be more wary in
| future"
| 1t is needless to add that he was more wary" and
really became quite partisan Of Ralph ia subsequent
| affairs.
! Ralph Keeler's ambition always was to be known in
the world Of letters Every other motive OF hs life
subordnated to this one and he allowed 10 interfere
occasions with his worldly lie lost
sight OF hs object during hs college life, and his
since proves that he never did afterward certain
that lac wasted hours that should have been de
voted to books longips after the bubble
MS hand had scarcely grasped when the dark waters
braced him forever. He was not naturally a ready
|
correct If not an elegant good vein OF humor il
perhaps the most valuable gift newspaper writer for
our day, possess, and this no had very marked
degree One OF the most singular facts connected with
him was that while his idea OF time perfect he had
not the smallest conception OF what constituted melody
He could dance but to his life could not turn
| tune.
Ralph Keeler's disposition and manners were such as
| 10 make him generally liked though he never coveted
social popularity Among his intimate friends-tbose
| whom In sympathetic moments he used to unbosom
| hmself-he was exceedingly congenal, enyenng the
circle with CHEEKY aud humorous accounts OF those
adv eutures that seemed TO have commenced with hs
birth The recollection OF those hours has often
required TO during the years have passed since
| we shook hands at the college door but never met
again. Ralph Keeer's name, however, has favorite
sound that will awaken pleasant memories in the
| hearts OF those who knew him well.
| ErdnstiUe, nd, Jan. le, 1874 j. g. SHASKLIH
RALPH KEELER's POLITICAL STUDIES AT KENYON.
| To ne Fd'tOr OF The Tribune.
| SIR: We have read your account of Mr..
Ralph Keeler with much interest. Permit me TO supply
fact left out in your narrative and in all others we
have My first acquaintance with Mr. Keller began
In the Fall OF 1887 He well myself, entered that
time the grammar school Of Kenyon College Gambler
Ohio lie entered the cole the Summer re
there till the end of the term year In 1851 The same
institution gave him few years ago the honorary de-
gree OF NJ. A. His departure for California took place
after that time aud his trip TO Europe after his soourn
| in California.
Mr. Keller while in college paid more attention 10
poetry than prose He filed the position OF Poet to the
class OF 1862 twice-boh times scqutting himself to the
satisfaction OF all concerned. He was liked by ALL and
his sincere endeavOrs and hard struggles obtain an
education alike the admiration and respect of his
classmates Hskad fate will bring to many who
%.