The Cadiz Sentinel

The Author of "Home, Sweet Home."

As I sit in my garret here, (in Washington.) remarks a friend of the poet, watching the course of great men and the destiny of party. I meet often with strange contradictions in this eventful life. The most remarkable was that of the poet, J. Howard Payne. the author of "Sweet Home." I knew him personally. He occupied the room under me for some time, and his conversation was so captivating, that I have often spent whole days in his apartment. He was an applicant for an office under the Government at the time-Consul at Tunis- from which he had been removed. It was a sad thing, indeed, to see the gifted poet subjected to all the humiliation of office seeking, Of an evening we would walk along the streets, and looking into the lighted parlors as we passed. would once in a while see some family circle so happy, and forming such a beautiful group. and then pass silently on. On such occasions he would give me a history of his wanderings. his trials, and all the cares incident to his sensitive nature and poverty. "How often," remarked he, I have been in the heart of Paris. Berlin, London or some other large city, and heard persons singing, or playing on the piano. "Home, Sweet Home,' without a shilling to buy the next meal with. or place to lay my head. The world has literally sung my song until every heart is familiar with its melody-yet I have been a wanderer from my boyhood. My country has turned me ruthlessly from my office, and in my old age I have to submit to humiliation for bread." Thus he would complain of his hapless lot. His only wish was to die in a foreign land; to be buried by strangers and to sleep in obscurity.

I met him one day. He was looking unusually sad.

"Have you got your Consulate?" said I.

"Yes, and leave in a week for Tunis. I shall never return."

The last expression was not a political faith. Poor Payne!-his wish was realized. He died at Tunis. among strangers. far from his native land. Whether his remains have ever been brought to this country. I know not. They should be, however; and if none others will do it, let the homeless and friendless throughout the world contribute their mite for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument to the poet Payne. I know him well, and will contribute my mite. Let the inscription on his monument be:--

HERE LIES J. HOWARD PAYNE
THE AUTHOR OF "SWEET HOME.

A wanderer in life-whose songs were sung in every tongue,
And found an echo in every heart,

NEVER HAD A HOME

HE DIED IN A FOREIGN LAND.

From the Holmes County Farmer.