“Wyndy” Glyb’s Experiment

by Judge Clark

Wyndham Glybb, Esquire, was a man of wonderful word power. As a basis of speech, he could make one idea go as far as six would with ordinary men. Indeed, at a pinch, he could talk without any idea at all, reminding you of Davy Crockett’s comparison of a certain boisterous congressional orator, with a saw-mill, under full headway, without any log to saw.

With so rare a “gift of the gab,” it is not surprising that “Wyndy” Glybb, as he was commonly called, after a brief residence in the county, discoursed himself into a nomination for the legislature over the heads of several older if not better soldiers in the party ranks. The opposing candidate was a plain man, of no great fluency; but the county was a close one, and notwithstanding Mr. Glybb’s superior volubility, the chances stood pretty even.

The contest, at first animated, soon grew to be rancorous—so virulent, indeed, that in a scurrilous hand-bill Mr. Glybb’s private character was anonymously assailed. Among other things it was asserted that he had absconded from his former residence in consequence of certain acts of swindling which made the place to hot to hold him. Even the names of the victims were given, and the particulars so circumstantially stated, that Mr. Glybb’s friends stood aghast, and, for a season, his enemies were jubilant.

But such an accusation, like a two-edged sword, cuts both ways. If sustained, it proves fatal to its object; if confuted, swift and sure destruction falls upon the author. A character, moreover, never shines so brightly as when emerging from the mists of a dissipated calumny.

Now, it so happened… Read More