The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-01-15
Things are Seldom what they Seem.

'Somc men are born great, some achieve
them" Many appear to have become famous,
if not great by accident, and many go through
life thinking they were especially made to fill
a certain niche in the worlds mechanism. when
in point of fact they are very far from it. l
have seen a good blacksmith spoiled to make a
poor doctor; good mechanic make Il poor law
yer; a good sailor make poor officer, and
know of fine ieweer who makes Il confounCl-
edly poor preacher.
| know of farmers son who thought he was
born for higher calling than tiing the soil.
He had read the life of the great tragedian,
Edwin Forest, and he said to himself LET me,
too. be a tragedian; let my life be like his" He
could render BingeE ON the Rhine iii the usual
manner of incipient orators. He had taken the
part of Prince in the play of Cinderella, as
played at country school house at the close of
the winter term of school, and had received
much applause for the same. This so elated
him that he had no doubt but that he had found
his particular calling. All that was necessary
was a larger field. He would leave the old farm,
go to Boston, become an actor, and in few
years would astonish the world. Acting upon
this idea he left the old farm, bade adieu to his
old friends in the east, and with fond hopes and
high aspirations started for the metropolis. He
had read that the proper thing to do was to en-
ter the city an entire stranger. with but lone
silver dollar in his pocket. This he found to
be a very easy thing to do. "But alas, poor
Goric." He soon found all his hopes and aspir-
ations 'dashed to earth" He saw all the man
ayers of the different theatres in Boston, but
none of them could discover any of the talent
which he seemed to think he was endowed with.
They one and all told him that if he had any
ability it must be in growing pumpkins, and
that it would be better for him to return to the
farm and stay there.
This was u sad blow to the poor fellow. He
wandered about the streets in very despond-
ent manner In his perambulations he came to
fremont street and stopped near the office of
Dime show that had on exhibition a skeleton
woman, fat girl, and the Ford brothers, who
shot Jesse James, the notorious Missouri rob-
Der. He leaned against lamp post in Il very
unsettled frame of mind and tried to think
into the Charles river by taking living leap
from Charleston bridge at the dead hours of
midnight: or should he find the office of Old
Fluker and ship for three years voyage in
Whaier, as many discouraged young fellow
has done before; or should he return to his old
home to be laughed at: While standing there
with far-dWay-fr -home-Without a-cent-in-
u .l-atI
a'ely lifted up his foot and scratched his ear
with his toe. This wonderful feat was wit
messed by the proprietor of the above mention
ell tenth of a dollar show, who was continually
on The lookout for curiosties. | need not add
that the young man WAS engaged as member
of the show at q good salary. Thus, although
he has ascerained that he was not designed TO
be great, accident at least has made him fam
Gus. Although he may not become Booth or
a Forest. he will by accident become clown in
Il circus.
Things are seldom what they seem. The
above is entirely fictitious. The writer Of thi>
has somehow cot il into his head that at the
early age Of - he j, 10 become an author, when
perhaps the fact is that he ought to be a wood
chopper. This little Sketch is written as a test
If the readers Of the journal do not wish to
hear any more of me forever. the easiest way
that result can be effected is for them 10 erect Il
flag staff on that Mount Pisgah~ of Waldo
county, Sears mountain in Monfyie and from
it suspend a green light at midn ght on the 24d
Of February. 1sS5. On seeing this light the
would-be author will take it;,- an indication that
he is rather vcrdant, and he will take to the
woods, where he properly belongs, and no more
be heard of as writer forever But before he
departs hence he thinks it is but proper to
add that in hi, opinion, there is as much merit
in this as il most writers Of the present day,
who write 4 whole book to contain what might
be written in one chapter. D. o.