Page 38 - Four Famous American Writers: Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, James Russell Lowell, Bayard Taylor

profession.

In the following year Mr. Hopkins died, and a few months later young
David Poe married Mrs. Hopkins, who had been Elizabeth Arnold.

Mr. and Mrs. David Poe were now husband and wife, and very poor, as
most actors are. Soon after their marriage they went to Boston, and

remained for some years. There Edgar Poe, their second son, was born,
January 19, 1809.

While Edgar was still a little child his parents went to Richmond, Virginia,
to fill an engagement in the theater there. Misfortune followed them. His

father died in poverty, and his mother did not survive him long. Edgar and
his brother and sister were thus left penniless orphans. But good friends

took care of them.

Edgar was adopted by a Mrs. Allan, the wife of a wealthy man in the city of

Richmond. She was very fond of the bright little boy, and as long as she
lived he had a good home. He was petted and spoiled; but those were

almost the only years of his life when he had plenty of money. He was very
fond of his adoptive mother, and held her memory dear to the day of his
death. He was now known as Edgar Allan.

CHAPTER III

YOUNG EDGAR ALLAN

Edgar was a beautiful child, with dark eyes, curly dark hair, and lively
manners. At six he could read, draw, and dance. After dessert, sometimes

they would put him up on the old-fashioned table, where he would make
amusement for the company. He could speak pieces, too, and did it so well

that people were astonished. He understood how to emphasize his words
correctly. He had a pony and dogs, with which he ran about; and
everywhere he was a great favorite.