ble parentage, the playmates with whom he
associated in his early youth were of that class who regarded his
imbecility as a terrible affliction, were charitable and kind, never
allowing others to impose upon this simple fellow, who was incapable of
taking his own part. But as George Howe advanced in years he gradually
threw off his stupidity, and although he never outgrew the habit of
keeping his mouth open, he ceased to slobber, and acquired the habit of
looking respectable. He entered school and became quite proficient in
one branch of study in particular--he was an excellent reader,
with a wonderfully retentive memory. But he never outgrew his
simple-mindedness, and appellation of "Fool" always justly clung to him,
for, bright as he seemed to be upon many things, he was incapable of
applying his knowledge to his own advantage. George Howe kept abreast
with the doings of the times, especially in the political and religious
world, and these two subjects he was always ready to discuss. Was there
a public meeting called, religious, political or otherwise, George Howe
would be there, often in some conspicuous place, with wide-open mouth
and staring eyes, drinking in all that was said or done.

It mattered not how many were held in a single day or night, George Howe
would spend sufficient time at all of them to tell something of what
took place. For, with a jewsharp as his sole companion, George could
cover more ground in a single day or night than any other inhabitant of
Wilmington, keeping time to its discordant twanks. During political
campaigns, before the press of the city could announce to its readers
the result of the contest, George Howe could be heard howling the news
through the streets of Wilmington. "Oh-o-o, look er here, every
bod-e-e-e! New York, New Jerseee, Dilewar hev gone Dimocratic by big
majoritees. Great Dimocratic gains throughout ther country." When, in
1884, the Democratic party astonished the country and itself by electing
Grover Cleveland to the Presidency by a safe majority, it was George
Howe who led that host of elated Democrats down Front street and toward
the Custom House on the evening of election day to inform Republican
officeholders that at length their time had come to give place for
others. Being generally shunned by those of his own race, George Howe
cherished quite a liking for colored people, and could be very
frequently found among them in their religious meetings. There was
somethi