The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-03-06
ruonas uoRNBRooR, ESQ.

k<SS'
Last evening we received short letter
from our friend HoRNBRooK who, with
his daughter Miss Dora, is soJourning at
the Hot Springs, Arkansas, for health
and pleasure. lie sayf: al am taking
one both day, outdoor exercise, and
three square meals" On last Friday he
paid the office of the Hot Springs Daily
TtLegr0ph a visit, and the editor was
highly entertained by the interview.
From Saturdays Telegraph we clip what
he says: 1t would appear from this 'rti-
Gle that MIR. HoRNBRooK did the princi-
pal part of the talking. Ii MIR. IL. has
any fault. it is Lot that of a GRANT-like-
reLicence:
awe had pleasant call yesterday
from Mr.. Thomas Hornbrook, q promi-
nent citizen and leading business man OF
Wheeling, West Virginia, who, In COM
pany with his daughter, is spending u
few weeks here for health and recres-
ton, ard is guest OF the HIT Springs
Hotel.
MIR. Hornbrook entertsined us for halt
an hour with very interesting sKetch OF
his lie and achievements, not forgetting
to remind us that he started lite poor
boy, and by industry and close attention
to business had amsssed competency,
although annually dispensing large
portion OF his earnings and income IN
charity and benevolence.
Mr.. IL. was kind enough to present US
with photograph likeness OF himself
and splendid lithograph picture OF MS
city residence and his magnificent coun-
try seat, surrounded by spacious park
aud exquisite flower gardens; and also a
autograph of one OF bis fine business
blocks IN Wheeling, and also of the
Wheeling Female College building, OF
which he is a trustee, together with q
large number of periodicals, papers and
printed letters and newspaper extracts
with which his name is mentioned IN
honorable connection with some praise
wor. by act of benefcent charity, or laud-
able business enterprise.
Mr.. Hornbrook is Il very remarkable
man; full of life and vim and public
spirited enterprise, and overlooking with
the milk OF human kindness. But with
all these good qualities, which one would
naturally suppose to be allied only 10
a man OF strong practical views ana
methodlcsl habits, Mr.. Hornbrook pre-
sents the strange parodoy of man iull
of odd ecceutricilies. He dropped in
upon US like an appsration, without an
nouncement and without introduction,
and without so much rs even giving US
mis- name, ratified of st race horse speed,
with brief recital OF the principal cpl.
scdes in his eventf1l lite, Illustrating
each chapter with lithograph pic
ture or printed slip OF pspe', which
he drew, one by one, from capaclous
bundle, until the pile was exhausted.
During his brief and hurried recital, we
tried occasionally TO edge in word, by
way of comment or inquiry, but as well
might we have tried TO insert crow bar
into the invisible seams OF polished
granite rock-Mr. HornbroOk had only
a short time 10 stay, aud he proposed to
do all the talking, ard he did. After
finishing what he had TO sey. be politely
bgde US good evening, and left in the
same edo, but courteous manner IN
which he had made his appearance. Bat
ia that brief period, our eye so long &C.
custamed TO peer into the deep receSSes
o! human nature took IN the whole
character and history OF the man. We
saw man OF wonderful faculties of mind
and body-who had strained both TO
their utmost tension in accommodating
wealth, aud dispensing charity, but
whose results, so far as he is individually
concerned may be epitomized in the brief
commentary "overwork."
Nature is kind and indulgont parent
when we obey her injunctions and follow
her admonltions, but rs unylelding and
incxorable rs fate in executing the pen
alties of her violated laws. With all
his good intentions AMI humane I'M
pulses, Mr.. Hornbrook has either over
taxed his mental faculties, or warped
some of them by sn undue exercise OF
Others; until he has either impaired their
strength or destroyed that harmony oil
mutual dependency which is absolutely
essential 10 perfect whole. 1t Will not
do for men to work too much; or keep
their mind too long imprisoned IN narrow
grooves and bent upon isolated pursuits.
But all these are grstuiteus comments.
We have only to thank Mr.. Hornbrook
for q very pleasant half hour enjoyed in
his company; and TO express the hope
thst he may enjoy his briet sojourn
among US with pleasure and profit.