The Osceola times., 1881-10-15
THE PRINCE OF TRAMPS.
The Grandson Oft:ie Great
Orator, Patrick Henry
n Deggar.

Memphis Appeal
The very romance Of tramp life
was exempIiied yesterday by di-
lapidated looking individual with
only one leg whose name was regis
tered at the station house as W. II.
Cardwel. He is known TO many
persons as a reporter, and has lived
most variegatcd life. His full name
is Wyatt Henry Cardwell His faith
er was the eminent DIR. Cardwen, OF
Richmond, Virginia. and his mother
was the eldest daughter Of the world
renowned orator, Patrick Henry.
Cardweli is said to be a graduate Of
Washington University, and has
withal a polished education. He has
the remarkable faculty OF repeating
long poems from memory. 1t is said
he can troll out "Childe Harold" 4"
"Don JUAN" and such poems from
beginning to end AT the age of
ID he joined the Confederate army
and was shot at Manassas, losing his
leg. He was takeu to the Richmond
Hospital, where he excited the atten-
ton of prominent ladies' and gentle
men by his precocity. Afterward he
became Private Secretary to Senator
Foote. He has wandered all over
the country, being now heard of in
New York, now in Cincinnati, now
in Louisville, and now in Washing
ton. AT the present time he is heard
ofin Memphis. He has done consid-
cradle newspaper work in his time,
was connected with the National Star
at Goodman, Mississippi, in 1878,
and afterward was on the Kosciusko
Chronicle. Wherever he has been,
he had a whisky. 1t has
made him tramp all over the United
States, and has frequently caused
him to be arrested. He has an ex-
tensive acquaintance with the great
men of this country, and has now in
his possession a letter from Alcxan-
der II. Stephens congratulating him
on his reform. He is a man of good
address and has reduced begging ia
fine art. For instance, in approach
ing a stranger, he will say: "Will
you pardon the perfect ingenious
ness of the request, but could you
lend me a half dollar to get nights
lodging:' Should the person thus
approached deny the request, he will
not be indignant or insulting, but
will gracefully change the converse
tion to national politics, the ethics
of journalism, sbe traits Of ggoat men
or similar topics. He is an accom-
plished performer on the banjo. With
all his bad habits, he is said to be
honest. It is the one remnant of the
Virginia gentleman. A more re-
markable career coul ID hardly be i'm.
agined. From a fine family to the
profession Of a common tramp, and
he is only about thirty-fve years OF
age. There was n time when he
would force his way into the families
of respectable people, but he does SO
no longer, and it Is only too palpa-
bic that he has lost caste with him
self.
The subject Of the above is but
another living witness in favor of
temperance. None are safe, no not
one; not even the educated and aa-
complished Wyatt Henry Cardwell,
who like thousands of other noble,
gifted and jovial souls, who start out
in life feeling that they have will and
resolution TO restrain themselves at
any time, and resist even on the very
brink Of the gulf, where all, with
few exceptions, are sooner or later
doomed to destruction. This is the
fate that awaits all who persis, in
quafling at the bowl, and don't you
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