The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-24
A CLASSMATE Or
E. A. POE DEAD
Continued from First Page.

waiting for the enemy TO get out OF
breath before showing MN some &C"
things IN the art Of nshtln6
"Poe was not 1T an popular with ms
sehooImates. being TOO Iet.Ied IN ms az
position. and s.ugularly unsoclapie }"
manner The only Two boys WIN VIII. 'H
ne was intimate We're Monroe Stanafd'
who afterwards became Judge Stanard'
and Robert O. Cabcll. IL was notice
able fact that he never asked any or
his schoOlmates 10 80 home with MN
after school other boys would ne
ouently spend the night OF take dinner
with each other at their homes, but Poe
was seldom known 10 enter into THIS so
cial intercourse After he left the play
grounds az school that was the end or
his sociahnity until the next day
HELD AMATEUR PLAYS.
Recently in conversation with Or
Thomas. he related in an entertaining
manner, the fondness Of Poe for the stage
and how young. classic Ben Anderson,
William p. Richie, and others held am
ateur theatricals m the old wooden build
ing which stood on the northwest corner
OF sixth and Marshall streets. Mr. Al
len was opposed TO Poe having anything
10 do with these theatricals," said Dr..
Thomas, but the youth would frequent
~ steal OF and 20. Poe had some dra-
matte talent for one Of his years lie
executed his parts well and threw great
deal OF spirit into the roles His ambi-
ton and great desire TO excel stimulated
him to study his parts and act them with
a great deal Of care. The boys would
verbally announce the performance. and
their audience usually numbered about
forty or nifty. small admission fee
was charged. and this was divided be-
tween the actors, who used 1t as PIN
money.
Upon one occasion the boys were pre-
senting a play before a gratifying audi
ence OF some fifty persons. Stage scenery
was not attempted. and the imagination
of the spectators was somewhat risldly
taxed. The play ran along smoothly
enough until point near the close,
where a thrilling climax was supposed
10 be reached. Somebody pulled aside the
curtain a moment before the proper
time. and the audience were highly
amused TO see Poe rush across the stage
with. Bring my coat back here; how
do Won expect me 10 act without At
this point he realized that no curtain
hung between himself and the specta-
tors. and with a crimson flush sneahed
OF the stage only half made up.
HAD 4 QUARREL.
AT another time when the boys were
aspirinc 20 one OF Shakespeare TRACE
dies. Poe had 4 quarrel with one OF me
minor actors over the right 10 a WIZ
and the heated discussion Of the owner
ship OF the article reached the ears OF the
audience who somehow failed u appre-
ciate the play whea the next act was
put on.
"a singular fact" said DR.. Thomas, 'is
that Poe never got a whipping az school
so Tar as / know. / remember the otner
BOYS used 10 come in for h0sgins quite
frequently. | got my share. Mr. Burke
believed In the moral power OF the brch
He accepted the theory, spare the fod
and spoil the child Poe was quiet ana
dignified during school hours. He attend
ed strictly 10 his studies, and we al
use TO wonder how he avoided the rod
SO successfully"
Dr. Thomas was OF opinion that Poe's
unpopularity among his school mates was
not due 10 any objection on the ground
of his parentage, as has been 50 often
stated. bat from the fact that the boy
himself was melancholy. retiring, distant
and made little or no effort 20 cultivate
the acquaintance OF those with whom he
was thrown. He lacked soclability.
AT THE UNIVERSITY.
After leaving Burke's school DR.. Thorn
as entered the University OF Virginia
stood very high in his classes.
When a student at the University DR..
Thomas. like the other students there.
was a shareholder in the textbooks he
studied Two students would study for
tho following days Rotations until IL
or u o'clock at night. and then the books
we're turned over 10 two others who fire.
ouently worked until four in the morning.
Tallow candles were the mode Of light
Ing.
While at home from the University he
u,os called out one night as member OF
his military company to act as guard
against the negroes. who threatened 70
-,,assacre all the white citizens OF Rich
.orA during the memorable Nat Turner
,ns,rrection. DR.. Thomas was on duty
a. sentry for several nights. In relating
hts "reminiscences Of the condition Of az
fairs at that time he gave many In
teresting experiences.
leaving the University Of Virginia AZ