The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-06

excuses (Which bad small existence be-
yond the smearing mouths or pens that
reported them) have led to q purse
mOuther attitude towards the man Poe.
and consequently towards the author
Poe. There was supposed a lack of
moral element in Poe, that he did not
know the difference between meum and
tuum. that he was wretched drunk
ton. We have but to read the letters
to and from Poe in this volume XVII
and also the letters concerning Poe. to
see how unfair was such an estimate
and condemnation.
Poe did wild things: he acted rashly.
1t is a habit the human being has
when he is hungry-hungry for bread.
Poe was hungry often, hungry for
bread. 1t Is a habit human beings have
when they see those dependent upon
them suffering because of a lack OF the
necessities of life. Poe sat by the bed
side of the wife he adored and saw her
dying with not enough food to nourish
her. and not enough covering to keep
her warm.
What must have been the anguish OF
that high-wrought. sensitive soul!
During those December and January
days his dear Virginia was wasting with
consumption she lay under a sheet and
counterpane, over which was spread
tortoise shell cat they nestled on her
chest eased her cough. Thank heaven
for the tortoise shell cat.
A day or two before the end came a
New York woman sent the dying wife
delicacies. If YOU would see gratitude
swelling a heart till it's pain falls In
words, read Poe's letter to the woman
giyer. The military cloak was Poe's
walked behind virginia's coffin to the
graveyard: transferred. after she had
passed beyond it's need. from her bed
to his shoulders.
And Poe sang:
"a wind blew out of a cloud chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her high-born kinsmen came
And bore her away from me-"
But our love it was stronger by far than
OF those who were older than we
Of many far wiser than We
Nor the demons down under the sea-.
Can ever discover my soul from the soul
In all literature there is nothing more
pathetic; nothing more dignified, SELF
respecting, justly proud. than Poe al
like romance from the old world, from
the times of Kit Marlowe or Richard
Lovelace, or the Grub street targets Of
Pope's darts. 1t hardly seems possible
that it could all have happened IN oul
free America, where we are constantly
saying every man has a chance, count
| less chances-that such misery and des-
| titution could have come to a man OF
| the marvellous ability, magnificent ar
| conceptions and charming personality Of
| Poe.
Why" you are asking, why did h
not write and earn money in his legit-
| innate vocation?" He did write. His de
voted mother-in-law, Mrs GLENN, car
ried his writings from publishing house
to publishing house. But often it was
with no result save WEAKNESS to herself
and disappointment to the patient work
| er at home. He could get little or moth
| ing for what he wrote His ideas and
ideal were beyond his day and genera
| ton.
And now? Every scrap OF Poe's writ
| ing is sought after, treasured, ammo
tated, admired: and as to the veritabl'
page upon which Poe's hand rested
| do not know the exact market prices
but I know I lately had in my hant
some four or five business letters of Pc,
for which enough had been paid by thu
| present owner to have bought the ifttl,