The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-06-11
4 PRopIcY kxp uoysTER.

Nature often gives such curious twists
to her product ions which afford hope OF
being rare and valuable pieces Of human
CLAY, that she only proyokes by tantiliz-
ING us with her hints of what if she had
chosen, she might have done. She turns
out q child, who. if she Will finish as
carefully as she begins him, promises to
be "a Shakespeare. q Macaulay, or Web
ster bat suddenly, as if impatient Of
Workmanship. or as if governed by
mere caprice. she waTps and perverts
him, and throws him away. battered and
useless.
Thirteen years ago q boy was born III
Paterson. New Jersey. whose head ON
the day OF his birth attracted attention,
and which. when he had reached the
age ot four. had grown so large as to
make other people shake theirs and pre-
diet % fatal and speedy ending Of his
lie. But he lived on until he wore
hat of seven and half size. while his
body ceased to grow after the age of five.
His Intelligence was marvellous. He
could learn anything by heart had
wonderfully quick PERCEPTION, great log
zeal faculties, mathematical talents.
and love of music and poetry lie
could recite Milton and Shakespeare
and render some of the passages after
the manner of the best actors he had
seen. lie became the wonder Of the
city, and even attracted scientific and
other prominent men to read this enig
ma Of juvenile genius.
With all the amusementS and pleas
UTc hc found in life he had moments Of
profound sadness. in which he would
speak Of his early death in terms and
tones that touched his friends and hear
ers TO tears. His father died before the
boy had attained celebrity. and his
mother earned a living by working in
the mills leaving him during the DAY
to the care Of his chance friends and
acquaintances. His gifts proved his
ruin. He fell in with those who began
to pervurt his wonderful mind. They
taught Eim slang phrases, profanity and
CbsCeutiy. i mere midget. he became
as famous in vicious ranks for his vile
ness and preCOciUUs yulgaTity of speech
Us lie had been previously for his cUltur-
ed and refined intellect, He became
seii-wiiIcd and incOTrigible The doors
OF respectable people were closed against
him. lie learned To- smoke. chew.
curse aud swear. and spent his time in
dancing jigS and singing ribald songs.
Before he WAS eight years of age he was
III the habit Of coming home at night
intoxicated, or not coming home at all
III Nt'N Ei4NlllLtO ~ tIO1t WHO once
cOuIted and fiattered him. Ladies who
had petted him passed 10y him in fear of
al insult, His temper became ungov-
CTnabIe, his inSOience intOlerable. lie
would stop strangers in the street de
maudiug chew of tobacco. and would
return either an acquiesceuce or a denial
with biood-curd'iug profanity. 1t was
not that ne was 50 vile and IoathsOrne.
for boys OF that age and character are
not uncommon, but the sight of the
creature, with his big head and baby
frame, conducting himself like a candi-
date Tor State prison. made him mon
struus and repuIsiye curiosity.
His mother tried in VAN to reform
him, but her daily occupation prevent ed
hCr from watching over him or eNercis-
ing much influence of any sort. She
finally asked that he be sent to Il reform
school. aud thither he has been taken.
PERHAPS he may De safcd for something
great and useful yet, but, after career
o. dis5il alton AZ his age. the prubabili-
ties are against his surviving long. or.
It De- does, of undergoing q thorough
Tcfnuu.-DtrJt Frcs Press.