The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-08

most the first manuscript that was open
ed claimed attention from the remarka-
bic beauty and distinctness of the hand
Writing. One of the abitrators read a
page or two and was charmed. He call
ed the attention of his friends to the tale,
and they were SO much pleased with il
that it was read aloud from beginning to
end, and all admitted that it was worthy
the highest prize. The confidential en-
velope" was opened-a Latin motto was
discovered. No other tales were read,
and the award was Immediately publish
/ ed But were to find ssthe author, that
/ the prize-money might be paid? The
publishers and arbitrators had not to
wait long. In the evening following the
announcement, a young man came to
the Office to claim the prize. He was
pale and thin, even to ghastliness, and
his whole appearance bespoke dissipa-
tion, want and illness. A well-worn
coat, buttoned up to the chin, concealed
the want of a shirt, and imperfect,
wretched boots discovered the absence of
stockings. But he looked gentleman,
nevertheless; for his face and hands,
though haggard and attenuated, were
clean and spotless; his hair was we'll
arranged, his eye was bright with intel
| ligence, and his voice and bearing were
those of scholar. The publishers and
arbitrators were interested extremely.
They inquired into his history, and fin
ally offered him employment on the ma
gazine for which the tale had been writ
| ten.
A little money judiciously applied
soon altered the appearance ofthe young
man, and in short time he took his
post as second editor OF monthly maga-
zine, with the means and position of a
gentleman.
Now here was an opportunity of re-
trieving his lost character. Here were
friends ready not only to overlook the
past, but to assist in making his future
calm and free from care. Here was a
public ready to listen to his teachings,
and patron ready to reward his labors
those who knew him began to congratu-
late themselves upon the happy change.
Those who before admired his genius
were beginning to respect his integrity.
He was happy and successful in his new
avocation. He married {. young and
beautiful girl, his cousin; he found for
himself a cottage, which the care, econ
omy, and gentle temper of his wife con-
verted into home, and he was begin
ming to be happy man. 1t would be
we'll if our story could end here, but, oh
for human frailty! oh for good resolu-
tions made without prayer to God! oh
for principles which he assists not! the
the young husband of that fair young
wife fell back again into evil courses,
and forfeited the respect of employers,
and the sympathy of friends, through
his devotion to the accursed bottle!
1t were a weary tale to tell how often
he repented, and was forgiven; how he
passed from the editorship of one maga-
zine to that of another; how he went from
State to State and from city to city a
hard-working, aspiring, sanguine, talen-
ted man, bearing about him the curse of
irresolution, never constant but to the
Seductive and dangerous besetment" of
strong drink: how friends advised with
him, and publishers demonstrated; how
at one time he had SO far conquered his
propensity as to call himself, in letter
to a friend, "a model of temperance and
other virtues" and how, at another,
he forfeited the occupation which was
the sole dependence of his little family
by frequent relapses into his old dis
graceful habits; how he committed, un-
der the excitement of intoxication, faults
and excesses to which no gentleman
would plead guilty; how he borrowed
money of his friends without the means
or intention of returning it; how he for
feited the esteem, even while his talents
commanded the admiration of the public;
how he succeeded in bringing many lit
erary speculations into life which his
vicious habits and inattention to bust
ness murdered in their youth; how he be-
came q confirmed drunkard, with only
now and then fitful hour or so in which
to throw off on paper the vagaries of
mind rich in learning and imaginative
fancies: how his young wife died broken
hearted, and how he became so reduced
pearance among his friends; how his
wife's mother, constant to his falling for
tunes and ever anxious to conceal his
vices, went with his MSS. from Office to
Office, and from publisher to publisher,
in search of the means to support him;
how for little while he shook off the
lethargy of intoxication, and again ap-
peared in the polite circles of New York
how he was caressed, and feted and con-
graduated; how the efforts of his pen
were sought by rival publishers; how he
was engaged to be married second time
to beautiful young woman, and how
the engagement was finally broken of
through his return to his pernicious
habits. II were a weary tale indeed.
The melancholy story of this mans
life was soon to close-the golden thread
to be rudely snapped asunder-and by
his own dangerous courses, and was en-
gagged in delivering lectures in different
towns in the United States. They were
well attended, and it was with something
like renewed confidence that the we'll
wishers OF the lecturer watched his con-
duct, which was now distinguished by
extreme sobriety. He even appeared to
have renewed his youth and strength;
and it was with pleasure that his friends
again received him into their houses.
At one of these he met with lady with
whom he had been formerly acquainted
Their friendship was renewed, and they
were engaged to be married. Every
thing seemed to promise well the
drawn of a better day appeared and