Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-10
A Neglected Genius.
From the Brooklyn Eagle.

1t is astonishing how much talent
runs to seed in this country for want of
appreciation. Brilliant military genius
dies neglected simply because the
country is cold, grasping and lacking in
its power to see and recognize the
heroic in life. Gladstones, John
Brights, Websters and JeffersOns sink.
to their grave without carving their
names upon the rock of ages simply be-
cause the world is blind, at least in their
estimation, and in fact talent often has
bushel basket pumped down upon it
with heavy weight on top that keeps
the old basket there for q life time.
There is enough genius sleeping upon
the park benches and bunking in the
station houses to create anew literature,
and it is safe to say that every other
tramp Is q poet in his mind. The
managing editor was deep in the mys-
teries of "The Coming Campaign"
when he was suddenly interrupted by
one of the neglected sort, q wan care
worn party who almost yelled in the
editors's off ear.
II speak five languages"
"You whatw asked the editor, start
ing back and dropping his pen.
~ am conyersant with five Ian
guages," said the tramp.
"HOw does that interest me?" asked
the editor.
Interest you," said the tramp. care
you not literary man? Can't you APP
preeiate meeting a scholar, sir? grad
uated at Oxford and spent most Of my
early life in study in Germany, sir"
GLAD YOU came in for so many adj
vantases," said the editor. but what
is your racket? What do you wish me
to do for you?n
"Yes," said the tramp, al am, I sup
pose, the best-read man of my age. 1
write poetry in Greek, Latin, Spanish
and Italian. l can speak French so
| well that You wouldn't know me from
native, and l have translated aSanscrit
| work.
"You must have enjoyed busy life"
/ said the editor.
BUSY hfem calculated the tramp;
az should think so. I've just studied
all the hair off of my head. Burnt mid
night oil for twenty years at stretch.
Have whole libraries at my tongues
end. Take you right back in English
| literature to Wilford, Archbishop Of
York, who was the earliest Anglo-Saxon
1 prose"
''What has all this got to do with
| meT asked the editor.
al may have q great deal to do with
you,n said the tramp. ~ want you to
understand that l am a scholar. You
remember that couplet of JuvenaPs:
'Rarus enm ferme sensus communis in lila
| Foruna-'
Well, tint is just it. A fellows born
with fortune while his head is as emp
ty as q mules, while men Ofreal genius
like me, dr; men who have the abili-
ty to mould the opinions of the world
~
"Suppoe you come to the point and
state yOm business said the editor.
THAT isust what, Pm arriving at"
said the tramp. "Here am capableof
quoting iron almost any language. You
remember hat little thing Of Longfel-
lows in theItalian:
"Gaddi niece; IL Ponte Yeechio sono q
Cinquecet anna gia sull-"
"Come," sid the editor, ''let up on
quotations sd state your business"
"Then youion't appreciate sonnets"
said the tram..
az can't sitIere talking to you all
day." said tie editor, taking up his
pen.
"Sir! as goo old DR.. Johnson would
say" ejaculatd the tramp, ~ came
here for a purpSe. have made up my
mind that the 'orld will not be denied
the pleasure Oflppreeiating my genius
any longer. I.an't afford TO be an
author just yet,ut I thought might
start as book rriewer. You are doubt
less in need of acholarly book review
err"
'Nop shoutedhe editor.
"Remember, 9, Pm q scholar. A
man who can giNs safe opinion npon
| any subject
1--WE are not inIed ofyour services"
said the editor.
"Ain't YOU ever tuck on q foreign
quotation? Would't you like sort
of living guide to be literatures Of all
nations?
mop Numbered he editor.
Remember, sir, aen like the one
who stands before yo are rare"
1--WE are all full" lid the editor.
"Sure?r
eyes"
Suppose you give D show on q
book review. Somethg abstruse, you
know. Something witty the stten-
ton of q man Of my alb"
"Are you ever going shouted the
editor.
"You don't happen tchave q chew
, about" but the tramp ever finished
; the question, and as heyathered HIM
! self together at the foot tthe stairs he
; murmured, Crushed agn."