The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-06

Charles Lever at eleven years old wa
in manner, dress and appearance at leas
three years in advance of this period O
life. He was remarkably handsom,
lad, somewhat vain, ready OF speech, witt
laughing manner, and wonderfully self
possessed for youth of his standing.
By his cousins, some of whom were hi.
elders, he was at once admitted to the
position of a senior, or rather of general
director, at work or play; and seldom has
a quiet household been turned so COM
pletely up end down. -....,....t
A loft was fitted up as theater, and
Lever did everything. He was scene
painter, pfompter, played the fiddle, sang
all the songs, acted all the chief parts,
and dressed the performers. The favor
lite pieces were "Bombastes Furiose" and
the "Warwickshire Wag," but tragedies
were not neglected. 7D iae
AT every school at which he was placed
ready means was soon discovered by
which he could be shaken out of his idle
ness. 1t was only to insinuate that won
der had been expressed that such heavy
lads as Brown, Jones or Robinson should
stand above him in his class. Lever
would probably reply by joke, but, ap-
parently without effort, Brown would be
displaced, and Lever would stand where
he had Stood Levers Incidence was
neither the result Of laziless nor stupid
lty; half the ingenuity or study he gave
to schemes of amusement, if otherwise
directed, would have placed him high
his fellows.
With his teachers and masters. Lever
led sort of cat-and-dog life. He illus
trated the matter in his own way.
Man." he said, "was naturally a wild
nimal; he, like the horse, required whip
and spur, as we'll as bit and curb, to Sc
cure subsection to the knowledge and
usages OF civilized life. The spirited
horse would pitch his trainer over his
shoulders if he could; the spirited lad
would act in the same fashion. Later
IN second nature, in the shape Of habit,
Usually forced the hunter to love his
'ider, and the educated gentleman to
owe his former master" When Lever
visited lmstioge, in 1917, he was found |
20 be behindhand in two important
points Of his education, and it was ar
anged that he should attend with his
cousins for daily instruction in writing
Ind figures. The instructor was James
Jotterall, school-master and land sur
7eyor, between whom and Lever a war
are to the knife speedily broke out.
Previous to the introduction of Lever
o the household where he was visitor,
more docile set of pupils than Cotter-
IL had rule over could not be imagined.
n week all was changed; there was
Negligence, there was rebellion, there was
disturbance, and the imposing ceremony
t "begging eff' was laughed at as a
lily farce. a. r..- -fit,sa
Never had imported a thousand annoy-
noes for the master, never heard of be-
ore IN the country, and Cotterall fairly
omitted himself to be at his wits end.
ic was not above, however, taking his
ewenge m Lever. During the perform
neeof Levers trsgedy,of the s'Death of
telson," when amidst shots and groans
ne hero falls mortally wounded into the
rms Of Captain Hardy, in the fishing cot
hat did duty for H. Nj. S. Victory, he
1dulged in an explosion of laughter
'hich completely shattered the effect
'hch Lever had been toiling to pro-
uce