The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-26


The reply was Ella Wheeler Wilcox. A
few days ago the following, giving the
authorship to John "A. Joyce, was sent
by lady in Cuero. 1t Is an extract from
Jewels Of Memory" by John A. Joyce:
I became personally acquainted with
George d. Prentice the celebrated wit,
journalist and poet, In the month of jan
uary, 1863, at Louisville, Ky. He was
then about 81 years OF age, and the raw
ages Of time had deeply furrowed his fea-
lures and twisted his Gnarled form.
was at that time about Il years OF age and
an adjutant of tho Twenty fourth Ken
lucky regiment. My regiment was camped
al tho "Oakands," suburban site near
the city, Previous to my enlistment |
had from my home In Mount Sterling sent
some fugitive verses to the Louisville
Journal that appeared in the poets cor
ner and, Of course, like all young iedF-
lings who aspire 10 court the muses. !
was flattered and imagined that the spirits
Of Homer, Byron and Edgar Allen Poo
We're looking right down on my growing
greatness. ! felt, too. that the author OF
The Closing Year" was cognizaut of a
new-fcund star in the celestial realm of
poesy. | concluded to call on the great
Llama of literature and loyalty, and to
this end secured a pass fer forty eight
hours to protect me against the scrutini6-
ing eyes Of the provost guards or the
shoulder strapped minions OF Colonel
Mark Mundy, the past commander.
| had been paid eff and received some
four months back wages, purchased a
stunning uniform with gold gilt buttons
and staff shoulder straps almost as large
as bar Of soap. Thus, panoplled in all
the trappings Of glorious war, with a
pocket fun q cash, | sailed out Of camp
as II were in company with my school,
mate, WIN L. Nlsscher passed over Broad
way and into Green street. where the old
Journal Office was located / Imagined
that the overc5at Of General Grant would
not make vest for this proud adJutant,
and that the ladies / passed on the street
were gloriously impressed with my mill
tary bearing As a braeer to the ordeal
was about TO undergo l invited Visscher
TO join me in a bottle Of wine al the cele-
brated Walkers Exchange. After irr!gat-
ing our anatomy with the eXhllavating
fluid we proceeded 20 the Journal office
V!sscher left me at the bottom Of the steps
leading to the editorial room Of the great
poet and journalist, saying that he had
an engagement to meet one OF the bellies
OF Louisville, but promised that he would
see me In an hour or two at the Gait
house. II was then about o'clock In the
afternoon.
l marched up the rickety stairs around
dark hall filled with stacks of blank pa
per and was stalking on TO the den OF the
editor when Smoked Yankee" like an
ogre. intercepted my further progress and
exclaimed: "Whai we want sah?" I re-
piled that wished 10 see Mr.. Prentice.
Send in yer card, sab" ! had forgotten
to lay in a supply Of cards, but with the
presence Of mind that never forsaIses a
great soldier tore of a corner Of the
printing paper in the hall, wrote my name.
and gave it to the imperial menial He
soon returned and waved me into the
royal sanctum, ! Strengthened up. shook
down my trousers and settled into my coat
as IL moulded for the garment, and then
marched in with the air Of a drum major
on dress parade.
looked around the shabby, naked room.
saw stout. low man writing away
al q rude desk with a tremulous hand
His head was large, round and somewhat
bald, but the bumps and burrows on his
brow reminded me Of Socrates or some o.
the ancient philosophers whose pictures
had seen in historical and classic works
He did not look up, although he must have
known hat | was present, for | Coughed,
tramped around and, becoming impatient
az non-recogntion finally threw on the
fioor pile Of newspapers off the only
planted my military greatness on the site
OF the displaced literature. He went right
on with his scratching hieroglyphics until
he got to the bottom OF tine page and
threw down his pen, whirled about in his
chair. and with a lcok Of mingled madness
and sententious satire, said. who are
you?" I'm a fool" 80 am /. Shake" And
that was our FIRST acquaintance. His brow
began to relax its intensity and a furtive
smile came over his countenance as he
gazed on my military makeup.
80 you are an adjutant, are you?
What's that?"
That, sir" / replied. rs the hinge to
the door lamb OF a colonel"
"Ah. indeed, do you ever drink"
Never. except alone or In company"
"Tcm, my carriage"
He took up his gold-headed cane and
hohbled down the stairs 70 the street,
where We took the carriage and rode to
the Gait house was ushered into
wine room back Ct the office and intro
duced TO Major sllas Miller. the proprietor,
and to Mr. Mag1fAn and Mr. Owslcy.
Prentice put up two fingers and soon there
appeared a servant with two quart bottles
II Heids!eck wine Five glasses were
brought, and the walter filed them 10 the
brim. Prentice held up his glass and said:
Gentlemen, | want 10 drink 70 the health
OF our young adjutant. who tells me that
be is poet and fool We drank with
a vim, and although I felt nettled al the
,ax.caIf 80 charm "a renfy