Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-12-04
4 From tke Balfimcre Ereniag Bulletin. J
EDGAR ALLAN POE.

EDGAR ALLAN POE.
One OF the Bailefia's staff dsY or
two ago had the good fortune to have
an interview with the venerable Joseph
III. Clarke. now 50 years old, who was
the early precePtor Of the poet, Edgar
Allan Poe. In Eugene L. Didier's me-
moi : Of Edgar Allan Poe the following
occurs: "On Mr.. and Mrs. Allan'> re-
turn from their two years visits to Eng
land Mr.. Allan placed Poe in the acad-
emy Of Prof. Joseph II. Clarke. Of Trim
ity College, Dublin. who kept an Eng
Iish and classical school at Richmond
from 1916 to 1928.
Learning ihas PsOE. Clarke lived N
Baltimore Tie reporter determined 10
find him, feeling sure that an interview
with the old gentleman would be ex-
eeedingly interesting.
When il is remembered, however,
that few of the old heroes Of the past
were vet living. and that the army ot
defenders OF Baltimore in 1924 had
dwindled down 10 4 small band Of de-
crepid old men, the fact that one old
enough TO have been Edgar Allen Poe 5
teacher was still lIvIng could scarcely
be credited.
Reference was had to the city direc-
tory, and Prof. Clarke name was found.
His residence was set down at 6S1
West Fayetie street, and thither the
reporter repaired to obtain, il possible
the history of this aged man who had
nearly reached an age a score OF years
bevond the time allotted as the usual
extent Of mans existence. On reach
ing the old gentleman's house the re-
porter sent up his card. Presently, in
answer TO the summons, Prof. Clarke 5
daughter appeared. She explained that
thinking the reporter had some business
with the old man concerning the whole
family she herself bad come.
Her father, she said, had grown old
and he was not as active as he was for
" wears before. The apology for heI
appearance was sufficient, and the re-
potter, assuring her that he had come
to get history other father, she DIS
appeared to call the old gentleman
Shortly sfterward the parlor door opened
softly and a small, gray-haired little
gentleman stepped lightly in. He l.
about 6nNfeet four inches high. Sill
yer loo that attested to the number
of wintSfs their owner had successfully
wealhered, brushed back from a hist
and noble forhead, fell in profusion
remarkable for a man nearly ninety
years Of age. His face was clean sha.
ven, and hardly wrinkle was defined
on it, Elrar oatline Two bspeyO'ent.
looking gray eyes bcamed upon the re-
porter. and the friend and teacher o.
Edgar Allen Poe, the born poet and
genius, advanced with firm tread. He
greeted the Bulletin representative cor.
dislly, but il was plain TO see that the
aged man, though physically as hearty a
many a man thirty years his junior, had
grown mentally feeble under the weight
Of many years. When the old gentle.
man was seated the reporter explained
that he wanted first his own persona
history and then any "reminiscences o.
Poe that he could give.
About myself FIRST, he said. "Oh
YES. Well, I was born in-Hagerstown
Md, November 20. 1890.
born in Maryland ?" interrupted the
reporter. why, Didier says that yot
were formerly .ol Trinity College, Dub
lIn."
"Oh, no; they are always getting
things wrong about me. | never wa'
in Europe. Didier DidieT ~ he SAID
thoughtiully. Eyes, yes; I remember. >
suddenly. "He was the New Yori
gentleman who came 10 see me abou
Edgar several years ago. No. va.
not born IN Ireland; am Marylandcr
MY father was Robert Clarke. a houi
merchant at Hagerstown. He died a
the age Of rs years, and my mother
died when she was 10. When | wa
about Is my father sent me to the Je
suit college al Georgetown. II was h:i
wish that should be priest, but didn'
want 10 take orders, and aIteT gradua
ting was made professor Of classics a
Georgetown for three years, and at The
| end OF that time | returned 60 my isthe
and taught French short time in fe
male college. remained at Hagers
town until | got tired of il; and bein:
pressed BY two friends TO go 10 New
Orleans, obtained letters Of introductiOi
from Mr.. Wagner, OF this city, 70
that purpose. That was about 1915.
There was no fast travel ia thos'
good old days, and ! embarked from
Hagerstown on horseback for Freder
icksburg, which lay on my way TO Or
| leans. When ! reached Fredericks
burg was so used up that ] took boar
al Mr.. Young's tavern, and intended =
remain there for a short time 10 get II
better condition. But I was taken Ill
and after two months OF extreme suf
feringI rallied. Then Mr.. Young pro
posed b me to give up my journey 4
New OAeans and set up q school a
Richmol6. ! took his advice, and lSi'
| found me al Richmond. whore tool
possessiorfOf the classical department 0
a classical and English school. In Rich
mond remained for about seven years
Av school was a failure, and abou
/ 1924 ! came 20 Baltimore, where | hsv'
been living ever since. Ny daughter
keep a school Fairview Academy
"Who did you marry, PrOiessoT;" ih
reporter inquired.
'Jane Mudd, from Charles County
Maryland
On the wall Of the room m which "
! we're seated hung a framed wreath q