Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-18

of Monson, Mass to prepare for college, and at
the age of seventeen was admitted to Williams
College The death of his father, shortly after his
college career began, caused the severance OF his
Eastern scholastic connections. Prof. John
Burgess. then professor of English literature In
Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and afterwards
professor of Latin in Columbia College Law
School was appointed his guardian and thereupon
he was taken from the East and entered at Knox
College, where he remained two years, afterwards
completing his education at the University OF Mis-
souri,.
'In 1871. being of age, Field visited Europe, and
spent six months in roaming over England France
and Italy. There he first became acquainted with
the remains of the races and lands of the ancient
inspired his early years. Much, in fact OF the fine
method which is apparent in all OF his work may
be attributed to his travel and observation in
Europe, as 1t gave him the true measure, In reality
of the studies of his youth.
'In 1873 Field began newspaper work as
reporter the press of St Louis, and 1t was about
this time that the writer hereof became acquainted
with him and at once became his warm admire'
and acquired the distinguished honor and pleasure
of his friendship and esteem Rapidly Field arose
in journalism occupying many high places on the
newspapers of his native city and OF st. Joseph and
Kansas City. in the same state, until he had won
fame as wit, poet and journalist which was
valuable professionally and everywhere he quickly
gathered around him circle of friends who
delighted in his society. he being not only bril-
liant with the pen. but debonair OF manner ana
possessed of rare gifts in music, storytelling and
conversation.
"In 1880, Fields services sought by the
bright and breezy Tribune of Denver, and he
brought to it managing editor a refreshing at
mosphere of humor satire poesy and pathos.
which combined with Ottoman Rothacker's classic
pungent work, and purity and force OF dic'
ton, and strength and brilliancy of thought gave
for time to the people of Colorado, and the pun
lie generally joy in journalism
while with the Tribune Field won his greatest
popular fame as the author of series of humorous
bits called the Tribune Primmer, some samples OF
which will be given herewith when these papers
have been compiled
Although Eugene Field has fame as par
agrapher and humorist in prose- he has become
more widely known throughout the United States
and England as poet, and 1t is In this vein tnat
his best efforts have found circulation. thor
ough master of all the intrcacies OF the human
heart he has applied himself to the delneation OF
the better qualities of the objects aimed at, with.
out seeking, as many do, who have the same
power to expose the corruptions thereof. Through
all his poetic effusions, there is the same indebe
stamp of genuine manhood which made Burns the
object of interest and love, and which Will ever
live in the memory OF his countrymen, the lack OF
which will always cause Byron to be looked upon.
by future generations, as misanthrope and cynIc
ITO compare Eugene Field to any of his living
contemporaries would be waste OF time he
stands alone and on tower built by his own
hands.
His eccentric verse first attracted the attention
of the reading public in 1877, when he published
his poem on the marriage of the Marquis OF Lorne
to the daughter of the royal Victoria Although
much weaker than those which followed, II Is
appended as the first bud of his poetic genius:
with tragic air the lovelorn heir
Once chased the chaste Louise
She quickly guessed her guest was there
To please her with his pleas
Now at her side he kneeling sighed
cio Of nj aiza.