The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-02-12
MINNESOTA. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 12 1903

room, knocked at the door and was
cordially invited to enter. To his sur
prise he found Goldsmith in his bed i'm
mersed to his chin in feathers. The
ludicrous position in which his chum
was placed was too much for his risi-
bilities'and peal after peal of laughter
rent the air, Goldsmith joining in the
fun. Every move he made sent the
feathers upward and they chung in his
hair, his eyebrows and his ears. The
feathers were flying around the room
like airships, some lighting on his head.
In explaining the circumstance of
his woeful plight, he said that while
taking stroll the preceding evening
he had met woman with five children
who implored bis charity. Her hus-
band was in the hospital; she was just
from the country, a stranger and desti-
tute, without food or shelter for her
helpless offspring. This was too much
for the kind hearted Goldsmith. He
brought her to the college gate, gave
her the blanket from his bed to cover
her little brood and part OF. his clothes
for her to sell and purchase food; and,
finding himself cold during the night,
he cut open his bed and buried himself
among the feathers.
Selfshness had no part in the mental
equipoise of the author of the Deserted
Village. His munificence was prompted
by the heart, and he carried out its
wishes. With him individualism was
an unknown quantity. Altho he sell
dom carried full purse, his liberality
was that of a prince. He gave his hard
earned dollars with an open-handed
largeness of heart as tho he possessed
a Midas-like touch. He asked no Sc
curity nor expected that his bread thus
cast upon the waters would ultimately
return trebled in value. If Goldsmith
had occupied throne his subjects
would have been the happiest in the
world, and his friends would have all
belonged to the nobility. Goldsmith
gives us an excellent picture of his own
! generous proclivities in describing his
fathers fireside in the Deserted Village.
1t can be truly said that
train,
! He child their wanderings, but relieved their
pain;
ho lnnsr nhornd hon ryryoc hic
Z Whose beard, descending. swept his aged
> breast;
The ruin'd spendthrift, now no longer proud
, Claimed kindred there, and had his claims
allow'd;
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay,
Sat by his fire, and talk'd the night away.
: Wept DER his wounds, or tales of sorrow done
Shouldered his crutch and show'd now field.
were won
} Pleased with his guest, the good man learned Il
glow,
$ Careless their merits or their faults to scan,
, His pity gave ere charity began"
+ Goldsmith had many conflict witt
Y poverty, but these encounters had little
! effect in curtailing bis liberality The
y vagrant train were well aware OF his
sympathetic nature and bled him mos
unmercifnlly His benevolence exceed
: ed his means to an extent that won {
o have appalled, more selfish person
y No matter how hard he was pinche(
by poverty he always shared his fortune
. with thoss who were less fortunate.
) Godsmith's kindly, generous nature
It won him, host of warm friends
i Among them was DR.. Johnson, the dear
IS of literature Of the Eighteenth century
d Like Goldsmith, Johnson fought hi
od way step by step until he became, d
IT Smollet humorously dubt him, eth
. Great Cham of Literati g." Whel
is Boswell, worshiper at .he shrine, o
is johnson and who endeavored to imitat
+ that great mans literary achievements
l. spoke disparagingly of an acquaintanc
n of Johnson's who was dependent upol
h his bounty, Goldsmith replied: He
le poor and honest, which is recommen
dation enough for Johnson" Agai
is Boswell mentioned another person Q
b very bad character, and wondered a
is Johnsop's kindness to him. GOLDSMITH
y defended the benefactor by retortine
I'd "He is now become miserable and tha
is insures the protection of johnson" D.
d. johnson often helped the gifted Cole
Ie smith out Of the annoying predicament
l. into which his magnanimous heart 8
at often led him.
g Goldsmith's generosity toward hl
Il fellow-creatures gave him personalit