Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-11-20

SINGULAR HISTORY OF A ROWING LnE-
From the New York Times.


4 little tragedy which lately happened in
a small California town ought to furnish
material for homily. or point a moral
which We leave for other pens and other
preachers. The central figure in this drama
j. one Harry Larkyns. He was born in In
verncsS, Scotland. but was bred and educat-
ed in England. lie was one of the younger
sons ola rich and reputable family. Equipped
with a fair education, he started out in the
world for himself, chiefly determined to
- see life" Like many another younger sons
of British parentage, he found himself some
what dependent upon himself, and, like
many another. he resolved to carve his own
way and launch out upon sea Of adven-
ture. lie had 4 handsome face and figure,
winning ways. captivating manner, and
vast variety of accomplishments. Floating
around in Europe, he added to his know
ledge Of the classics complete mastery Of
many modern languages, a familiarity with
human nature, and thorough acquaintance
with the rare art Of pleasing. Pennies,
after spending his small patrimony in gay
European capitals. his family bought him
commission in the British army. He went
TO India with his regiment. got out of the
service while there, hob-nobbed with Be
gums and Rajahs. and after six years OF ad-
venture returned to his native land just as
the France-Prussian war began. In the lit
tie interval that next followed he contriVed
to squander in a theatrical venture IN Lon
don the handsome sums which he had gain
ed from his family. The French service and
the cause Of imperialism attracted him, and
he ioined the army with company OF sharp
shooters. He was at one time on the stan
of Gen Bourbaki. with the rank OF major.
For his bravery, dash and military skill he
was rewarded with the decoration Of che
Waller Of the legion of honor. Wounded at
the seige Of Metz he fell to the rear, and
after Sedan he dropped out Of the French
army His European adventures were over;
! he had exhausted one continent.
In the winter of 1872 he had worked his
way to Salt Lake city, where, in the expres-
siye language Of the region, he was - Hat
/ broke Here his deliyerance came IN the
person Of Arthur Neil, a rich young Eng
/ iishman. whom Larkyns had known about
the London clubs in more prosperous days
/ Neil helped Larkins on to San Francisco
the two became warm friends, the purse OF
one (Neil suficing for both. They went
together to the Sandwich Islands, LarkynS
meantime drawing on the Oriental bank at
Hong Kong, in anticipation Of remittances
which never came. The worthlessness ot
these drafts being proved to Neil, who
had advanced cash to Larkyns, the gay ad-
yenturer was arrested for swindling when
the pair had returned from Honolulu. Lar
kvns was put in San Francisco jail, and
was released only when he had drawn In
good faith upon his kinsiolk in London Tor
$1,000, which drafts were duly honored at
the pathetic plea of Larkyns. This man OF
the world, then, in the face OF pubic e&-
posure and disgrace, addressed himself 10
a retrieyal of his character. 1t was hard
work. lie donned a suit of coarse clothes
and labored on the wharves as stevedore he
drudged in lumber yard he got odd Jobs
at translating in publishing house he
wrote bright letters and dramatic criticisms
for the newspapers and, in short, turned
his hand to anything and everything that
promised an honest penny. Finally he went
to the town of Calistoga, where he began a
map of the locality, finishing with all the skill
, of an accomplished draughtsman work tha
; would soon bring him money. But the In
: stincts Of his gay life were strong upon him
he loved his bottle of wine, his int.iguin.
: adventure, and his dangerous amour. :
4 ieaIous husband in San Francisco found on,
, idav letters that to his mind proved tn
' Gaithlessness of his wife and the guilt o
D. Larkyns. He said no word to any man, bu
4 took hi, carpet-bag and pistol and went t
Calistora. The man who was bent on seein
n life, and had exhausted Europe and India
,. went to the door to meet one who called 70
h him. The Californian drew his pistol an
:, shot the CAV Brton dead on the spot
:. Putting by his weapon with the air of on
d who had avenged wrong upon society, tn
: the injured husband gave himself up to
= mining superintendent as the only accessibl
representative of constituted authority
% and now appeals to the fine sense Of justic
Of and chivairy which California publ
d has never been found to lack on such occa
4, tions
er For Larkyhs living, the man who "bilked
Z his friend and SPARED his way at cost
a. hotels, there was not much sympathy. FL
Larkyns nipped by death untimely, withol
re a chance to defend himself, there is SON
" pathetic reminiscence. People recall no
ne lavishly he spent money when he had i
d, whether it was his or not; they do not cur
Mt ouslv inquire into his morals they kno
to that he " stood treat on occasion, new
II, when back on his friends, and was not
as bad fellow, after all, as the world,reckons b;
n fellows He began his career with the inte
an ton of seeing life he saw it-a great dea
Nv When he had seen it, he died as the fo
dieth-in blood and wantoness. Some su,
n. ambition as his fires young men who fan
on that they may see life as he saw it, al
Of. escape the ignorable death that rounded
ne his gay existence The ups and downs, t
ir. picturesque mutations of such career, fa
'ry cinate other men as they fascinated Larkir
TX though it is not given to all who follow
The his footsteps to shuttle of their motal coil
The tragically as he did. The weary, ploddil
nd man, pursuing his level way in the comm
round Of existence, may feel a pang of eny
Id as he looks up at the meteoric career of t
sly adventurous man of the world. He may
but gard his own small achievements and pros;
len surroundings with something of disgu
ith But we have told the story of Harry Larky
ed, to very little purpose if that unvarnished t
ten has not given new force to the wise ma
of saving that there is way that seem,
hat right unto man, but the end thereof is
be way of death"