The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-09-03
PAUL HAYNE, THE POET.
HIS PECULIAR PERSONAL TRAITS As
REMEMBERED BY A NElGHBOR.

REMEMBERED BY A NEiGHBOR.
Poems of tho War Period-A Life oi
Poverty In a Miserable Little Shell OF
u House-IIis Lack of Practical Knowi.
edge.
lived near Mr.. Hayile for two years after
his removal to Richmond county Ga, and
though but youth, such were the peculiar
personal traits of the poet that they made a
lasting and most pleasant impression upon
my mind. In person Mr. Hayne was OF
slight, almost ethereal, build. His hair was
as black as a ravens wing, his complexion
pale, his eyes black as his hair, and his mouth
denoting gentleness and sweetness. l well
remember how his sad lille would fit forth
like benedicton when Che slightest courtesy
was shown him by strangers, or even the
dusky servants of his household. His voice
was gentle as the warm south wind which
soughed through the long pines that stood
like sentinels around his little cottage. His
manner was that of one who communed con-
stantly with nature in her sweetest moods. In
fact, often have seen him, sitting apart like
some hermit of thought, holding converse
with the flowers, the humble shrubbery, the
birds, the wind, utterly oblivious Of the great,
practical things of life. And in this with
drawal was to be discovered the peculiar
traits to which have referred.
THE WAR, AND AFTERwARD.
Mr.. Hayne, to 60 back and give bit more
of his history, abandoned his literary pursuits
when the war broke out and entered the army
on the staff of Governor Pickens, of South
Carolina But his delicate constitution could
not Withstand the terrible realities of army
life, and, with health broken down, he sought
once more the peaceful society of the muses..
Out in rhythmic verse he poured his love
of his native land and of the "cause" which
is now happily lost forever. His "War
Poems" were an inspiration to the soldiers of
the south land, and by many camp fire were
read with swelling emotions. The war over,
and peace again regnant over that torn and
bleeding land, Mr. Hayne found himself, for
the first time, facing the grim wolf of poverty.
That war had swept away his princely in
come and left him as poor as the veriest
tramp He had nothing save his respondent
genius and his store of learning South Caro-
lima had been worse despoiled by Sherman
than any state in the south, and so this gifted
man crossed the river and settled on little
gusta, on the line of the Georgia railroad
more forbidding, uninviting, desolate
spot he could not have found. His little cot
tage, if so sweet name can be applied to a
miserable little shell of house containing
three small rooms, was situated some two
hundred yards from platform at the rail.
road track, too insignificant to even be christ
ened. Around his house there was wide
Of IF rrtx, 1ifo f<,
the scrubby blackjack and the yellow pitch
pine. Had the poet been compelled to sup
port himself and wife and babes from the
fruits of the soil he would have labored in
vain, for vegetation could never be made to
spring up and come to fruitage in that sandy
bed Mrs. Hayne was a fit helpmeet for her
poet husband. She was a gracious, tender
woman and bravely bore her share Of the
pitiful struggle against actual want. Turn
ing his attention at once to literary pursuits,
this brave yet timid man sent from out his
sparsely furnished study the children Of his
brain. His poems found restling places
within the covers of Scribner's Magazine and
other northern periodicals. But be it said for
the sake of the truth of history the price paid
for these poems was SO small as to cause the
cry of shame upon the publishers who took
advantage of his necessities and misery rob-
bed him of his just dues. Just think of one Of
Haynes most exquisite poems bringing back
to him only IS! No wonder that there was
sad tenderness running through all his
songs.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
But must tell somewhat of the personal
characteristics of the man. In the first place,
Mr.. Hayne was the most improvident of
mortals. He knew actually nothing of the
value of money. Born and raised in affluence
he had never known what it was to want for
anything. AS illustrative of this improvi-
dence, he would 60 to Augusta when he
hadn't a dollar in the world, except to pay
his fare, and order the luxuries of life more
lavishly than he did the necessities. Under
his little house he had a small hole dug which
he designated as a cellar, and in that would
store the choicest of wines and brandies,
though be it said to his credit he was very
abstemious in the use Of these spirits. But he
had been accustomed to these luxuries on the
table "from his youth up" and who would
deny him now in his day of suffering these
sweets among the bitter? But where was the
money to come from to pay for these thingsi
Mr.. Hayne did not know, nor was it possible
for him to think of SO practical a question.
He loved good living and made pitiful efforts
to crafty his love. He had no neighbors,
save here and there q veritable Georgia
cracker, illiterate but kind Of heart, and
few hands at a saw mill, which my brother
operated down at the foot of the hill He
wanted no neighbors, though when one of the
uncouth residents would stroll by his home
hunting for bee tree he was sure to be
stopped by Mr.. Hayne and friendly chat
ensued.
He knew nothing of the practical affairs Of
life. To illustrate: One day my brother |
found him working in his little garden. |
Knowing the sterility of the patch, my broth
er suggested to Mr.. Hayne that it would be !
good thing if he would send down to the saw |
mill and get some Of the muck which had &C.