The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-04-07
An Irish Boy
BY THOMAS TAPER

Slcdr or WdkenelO. - III WIS
written bv an ITishman who, as
boy, tried his hand at many things
and failed at most Of tasm.
His father was a farmer and
preacher. and his son, Oliver Gold.
smith, bad the advantage Of going
to school and preparing for the
university. He tells US that his
great asset was a Hknack at hop
ing. This cheered him when he
was blue, and led him TO look. like
Micawber, for something TO turn
up
After his fathers death his
uncle urged him to study for the
church, While at this he gained
great reputation for singing songs
and telling stories. When the dny
came for him to present himself TO
the bishop for ordination he wore
his "scarlet breeches' aud, Of
course, as VIC say in these days, he
was turned down.
Then he spent some time teach
ing the children of gentleman s
family. This work was not to his
taste. for it kept him from his
story telling and song singing. and
from playing on his huse. So nc
gave it up; and with little over
q hundred dollars in his pocket lie
set out to see the world on horse
back; hoping to make his way, not
only with his money. but with hs
story telling aad his MUSIC.
Some few weeks later ne turned
M at the front door on little
pony. poor as he could be, having
spent all his money.
Then he tried the la'., and see
out for London to study. On the
way he met jolly lot of young
men, and before the next morning
all his money was gamhled away.
SO he left London on TIE left and
went TO Edinburgh 10 study mcdI
cine This time he did stick to IT
for while. but he love o. travel
tempted him to the countries OF
Europe, and thither he vent,
trampine from place TO place. pIav-
ing his hu!c for those who wanted
10 sing or dance. You can read
the story of this adventure in
"Tho Vicar Of Wakefield
After a while, with plenty of
poverty mixed with his "knack at
hoping be settled down to writ
ing. He became acquainted with
the leading men of his time. He
wrote much that is loved by Eng
lish readers of today, and much
else that is forgotten
Having been q soldier OF fortune
for many years, it finally occurred
10 him 10 become philosopher.
Here is the way he set about 1t,
as described in one Of his own let
ters:
have already given my
landlady orders for az entire
reform in the state of MY IL
nanceS. | dcclaim against hot
suppers. drink less sugar in my
tea and check my CRATE with
brickbats Instead of hanging
my room with pictures | IN
tend 10 adorn it with maXlms
of frugalty. Those will make
pretty furniture enough and
won't be bit too expensive;
for | will draw them all out
with my own hands, and my
landlady S daughter shall
frame them with the paTngs
of my black waistcoat. Each
maxim is to be inscribed or
sheet of clean paper and wrote
with my best pen, OF when
the following will serve MS
specimens. LOOK SHARP:
MIND THE MAIN CHANCE;
MONEY Is MONEY NOW:
IF YOU HAVE A THOU
SAND POUNDS YOU CAN
PUT YOUR HANDS BY
YOUR SIDES AND SAY YOU
ARE WORTH A THOUSAND
POUNDS EVERY DAY OF
THE YEAR: TAKE \
FARTHING FROM A HUN
DRED AND 1T WILL BE A
HUNDRED NO LONGER.
In general appearance Gold
smith was rather short, about five
feet FIVE. His hair was brown,
and on it, as the custom was, he
wore wig. He was a cheerful
man; in fact, he must have been.
to live the bappy-go lucky life he
chose, But back of it all there
was solid character aud with
this he won the admiration of
many great men.
One writer said of him. "The
poor fellow was never so friend
less but he would befriend some
one else.'
If he had no money or food for
the children OF poor London
street he pulled his flute out of his
coat pocket and played tunes Tor
them So that they should dance