The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-24

RI HERE were four traits wnlcn
stood out conspicuously in the
character Of Mr., John Allan
Edkar Allan Poe's fosterfather. He
was stubborn, irascibia, exactng aho
unsynpathetic. such n proud and
sensitive nature as the poets. especial
l., in his youth, was not to be controil-
Cd by sombre qualities like these. hut
ry iudicicus forbearance, by affectton-
ate hrmness, and by a genial ana kino
~ temper Who can study his SAD
career ana not deeply regret that. IN
stead of falling to Mr.. Adams care, no
had net fallen TO John p. Kennedy s.
his hrst patron? Do the lives OF eeie-
brared authors offer sharper con-
irast than that presented by the poets
relations with these TWO men. respec-
lively. the one so gentle towards
faulta of disposition, so lenient To-
wards lrrerularitics of conduct, though
oisapproving. and so keenly appreeia-
tiv. OF genius-the other so austefe'
so .naexible. so unappreciatlVe:
NAV be said. 1t is true that MT. Alan
knew Poe as member OF MS fanny
who. in his opinion. whether Just OF
unjust. had acted unsrateiutiy
wards his benctactor. On the othes
NM pos was altogether Z stranger
10 kennedy until he became known &c
Nv, &c . Young man who had evinceo
rrea, talent in the composition @!
prtze essays +adnd lheir relations az
t+rwar5s were-einpfy those OF l!terar!
friends But admitting that one mac
provccation, and the other none. IL i
irnposs,ble 10 imagine the kindly. gen
.rous tmpulsive. and cultured man o
N, world in the place of the narrow
hard, umbend!nE, though nos u.'osmI
violent man OF business. without iee1
ing that the urshot OF the poets rat
-gS,,,s have hEen more normal an
more fortunate.
Good Man In HIS Way.
Does not NJ. Al!an's character iuE'
within that b.i=f description 81 NJ
parsonai appearance which we nav
from the mouth OF Mr.. John Mac
i:enAe: The long, hooked nose, n
small, Eean eyes. looking from unne
s1z-rv EYEBROWS. The whole remind
,rr on. of hawk HE was q goo
man IN his way" adds Mr.. Mackenzi
With more than suspicion OF r.
c.rvation. Ills practical adoptton OF
chnd. having no claim on him OF an
Eort has always been accepted as
.3root OF the truth OF his assert!o
why should ne have dons this unles
his nature was kindly and nunna
one? Untortuna teiy. for his reputs
tion 10Y oenevolence though not q
MS rGQNIi llOI -! "a -'-'-'SS' -
shan soon see ne only ons4nted
undertake the care OF the nfa!
Edgar at the earnest solicitation
MS wife woman Of an ahectiona
end charitable disposition. His mr.
expectation seems 70 have been tn
Inc child would, IN Z short while,
passad on 20 kinsmsn in Baltimor
and when these ktnsmen declar
themselves 10 BE- too Impoverished
assume sucil burden. he while d
gliding to keep the boy. positively {
clined 10 ADOPT him Legally. aithoui
for Some years hs was known by
4oste.father's surname alone.
II was an evidence Of Mr.. Alial
FOOD sense TO feel ana 10 act as
ala Might not MS wife. who was r
th.rty years Of age. yet bear him
son? And should 3 son De born.
even daughter, you'd not this lit
boy, the offspring Of strangers.
legally ADOPTED. nave a claim on OF
hal. Of his tostertather's estate? II
when Ed2ar was taken into hts IA
lily. Mr Allan was not man OF E
tune. but as one OF the nephews
AIs. Gait the most opu'ent me.ch:
IN Virginia ne had reason TO exp
should ne survive lis uncle a y,
large addition 10 Eis means Wo
Mr.. Gait be more or would ne 5e !