The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-05-27
Child Drunkard.

the intellect of man and the vices OF
degraded inebriate Fully thirteen
years of age, most persons would hardly
suppose his years to exceed five. His
replies to questions asked, always intelli-
gent, sometimes witty, generally insult
ing, show wonderfully precocious mind
perverted by evil associations. Morally
a complete wreck, his history would
make fitting subject for Emil Zola's
pen. The name Of this peculiar being
is George Lee, and his birthplace and
home Paterson, n. j. When he first
saw the light of day the unusual size of
his head created some attention, but
when in few weeks the rest of his
body assumed size in proportion to his
head no more was thought of the mat
ter. His babyhood was like that of
most children he laughed when pleased
and cried when crossed, and showed no
signs of any unusual intellectual devel-
opment. When ne had attained the
age of four years his head began to in
crease in size, and the women in the
neighborhood in which he resided de-
clared that "Georgie had water on the
brain" Physicians were consulted and
shook their heads, for the case was new
to them. All with one accord declared
that he would live but very short time
and satisfied themselves with that pre-
diction, but despite it George lived on.
His head continued to increase in size
until a number b hat fitted it snugiy,
but the re st of his body did not continue
to grow at all. With the increase of
cranial development came increased ilf-
telligence He soon showed a wonder
full talent of learning by heart anything
repeated to him, and his genius seemed
to cover everything. With quick per-
ception he combined remarkable reason
ing power. With energy and decision
was mingled prudence, and his love of
figures was only exceeded by his love
for music and poetry. The hyperb ,la
of mathematics seemed to possess as
much charm for him as the hyperbole Of
rhetoric. That such unusual gifts, es-
peciallv when combined in body so alb
normal, could escape attracting notice,
was impossible, and George soon had
hosts of friends. They taught him to
recite passages from Milton and Shake
speare, and to sing hymns and sensa-
tional songs; they took him to the
theatre, and on the following day Geor-
gle would reward them 10y rendering
with marked talent some of the more
attractive passages of the play in imita-
ton of the actors and actresses he had
heard the previous night. They would
read to him from books, and George
would quote the author in his con-
versation with the gravity and correct
ness of college professor Soon
George became the wonder of
the city; his fame spread beyond
its limits, and among his visit
ors were such men as Governor Bedle
and other prominent men, all of whom
seemed to take an interest in the
juvenile prodigy. An enigma to men of
science, a source of amusement and
wonderment to all, he has eagerly
sought after, and his life seemed an un-
broken chain Of joys an amusements.
Left all day to wander where he
chose it would have been remarkable,
indeed, if among his many quasi friends
there had not been some who sought to
pervert his intellect to evil uses. a
slang phrase, bit of vulgarity, a
double extendre were laughed at by
many and reproved by few. and soon
became the rule and not the exception
with George. Prompted by men of
little character and schooled by persons
who took pride in teaching the child
how to be wicked, he soon became self
willed and incorrigible. The doors of
responsibility were closed against him,
his downward career had begun and
soon the ensan prologue became YER
table enfant terrible With astonish-
ing alacrity he learned to smoke, chew,
curse, swear, drink, and soon his only
companions were saloon loungers and
the scum of society. During the past
five years the nights on which he re-
turned home sober were fewer than
those on which he reeled home intox-
icated or did not come home at all. All
his energy seemed to be bent upon the
requirement of wicked knowledge, and
his days were principally spent in sa
loons-dancing iigs and singing ribald
songs. Milton and Shakespeare were