The Wilmingtonian., 1888-06-02

no particular liking. And, singular as ID
may seem, the only study at college in which
he displayed no aptitude was the very one in
which, later in life, he exhibited surprising
excellence, He was conditioned in rhetoric
the first year, and during the first three years
Of his college course literary studies were as
distasteful to him as mathematical studies
often are to literary men. But he excelled
in scientific and historical studies and SO sue
cessful was he in the latter that he attracted
the attention of Andrew D. White, president
Of the university. He had up to this time
been earning his own way through college,
devoting his spare time to work in the uni
versity printing office. He now became the
private secretary of Dr. White, retaining
this position until the December of 1875, when
he went to Rochester.
Loaded down, as most graduates are, with
intellectual wares for which here is no mar.
ket, and obliged to work at something that
would bring him the largest possible income,
he took place as reporter on The Rochester
Democrat and Chronicle, In spite of his dis
Taste for writing and dislike of a literary
career, he made rapid headwny in the field OF
journalism He was soon promoted to the
night editorship, and later became the man
aging editor of the paper. In this position
he distinguished himself as a brilliant in
cisive and scholarly writer. Many an article
quoted and credited to the editor came from
his pen. The training to which he subjected
himself in the office The Democrat and
Chronicle developed to an extraordinary de
gree his perceptions of the needs of the read
ing public. He also had charge of the
weekly edition Of the paper Under his di-
rection it became the foremost weekly paper
in western New York. Its success was due
simply to his skill in selecting and arranging
the reading matter of most interest to the
public.
When he became the editor of The Cosmo-
politan this same faculty came into play.
Mr.. Smith is only 35 years old, having
been born in South Granville, Washington
county, in 1853. He is slightly under six feet
in height, and Of slender build. His COM
plexion is dark, and his hair and beard very
black Penetrating dark gray eyes look
through pair Of steel bowed glasses. Hi.
forehead is broad, but not high, and the gen.
eral expression of the face is one of strength
and dignity. Mr.. Smith is also bright and
capable business man. Personally, he Il
tind, generous and g'Tpathetic. j. NJ. r
The wIggIes of wakefuIness.
Some expressions are all the more forcibls
for having sprung spontaneously into exist
ence without the fostering aid of grammar
Lillian had an uncomfortable way of waking
before light, and expecting the family &c
rise with her at what they considered an un
bearably early hour.
"Lillian, you must lie still ana try Il
sleep" said her mother one morning, when
this early bird began to chirp
"pll try" said the child, and so she did
but it was +" no purpose In FIVE minute,
she was sitting up in bed playing with her
little pink toes. This time her mother, grow.
ing impatient, as sleepy people have beer
known to do, sunmarily extinguished her
under the bedclothes, saying, in despair
"Iillian, told you to try once more to go tC
RleepF'
81 know it, mamma" said truthful Lillian
'and l did try, but the wake wiggles in me
so can't keep stilll"--Youth's Companion.