Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-03-21

whose attablltty5lts founder owed his for
tune land his success. ad af 'sagilng .raon
ENGLISH INQUISITIVENESS.
The Yankees have become notorious
for their question asking propensity, yet
sometimes John Bull exhibits so remark
able development of this trait that we
must conclude that Jonathan and John
are at least cousins. A good annecdole
is related Of Gilbert Stuart, celebrated
American portrait painter, whose replies
puzzled the inquistiveness of his travel
to find out his calling. On one occasion,
Stuart was travelling in stage coach, in
England, with some gentlemen. who were
strangers to him, but all of whom were
sociable, and fall Examination. His bril-
liant conversational powers attracted
much attention, and his companions be-
came desirous to know aOho and WAut he
was. They asked many roundabout ques-
tions. to find out his calling or profession.
Mr.. Stuart answered with grave and Sc
rious tone, that he sometimes dressed
gentlemen's and ladies' hair.
"You are hair dresser, then 2" re-
marked one ofthe gentlemen, inquiringly.
"What!' said he, "do you take me
for barber 90
"I beg your pardon. sir, butI inferred
it from W hat you said. II I mistook you,
may I take the liberty TO ask you what
you are, then?"
"Why, 1 sometimes brush gentle
mans coat or hat, and sometimes adjust
a cravat."
80. you are valet. then, to some no.
blemau."
"a valet indeed, sir, am not.
am not servant: to be sure, l make
coats and waistcoats for gentlemen"
80, you are a tailor ?"
"Tailor do l look like a tailor ? as
sure you I never handled a goose, other
than roasted one."
BY this time the passengers were all in
a roar: and one of the party exclaimed.
What are you then 2"
"l'll tell you," said Stuart, "Be as
sured all have said is literally true. [
dress hair, brush hats and coats and adj
Just cravat, and make coats, waistcoats
and breeches, and likewise boots and
shoes. at yOur SerVice."
20, n boot and shoemaker, after all -
Guess again, gentlemen. l never
handled boot or shoe, but for my own
feet and legs yet all that 1 have told
you is true"
owe may es well give up guessing,
then, remarked one Of the party.
After checking his laughter he said to
one of them very gravely, "Now gentle
men. will not play the fool with you,
but will tell you upon my honor as gen.
tleman, truly, my profession. Iget my
breua by Making faces" He then screwed
his countenance and twisted the l;n:merts
of his visage in a manner such as Sam>
uel Foot, Charles Mathews. and other
comic actors might have envied. When
his companions, after loud peals OF laugh
ter had composed themselves, each took
credit to himself for having all the while
suspected that the gentleman belonged 10
the theatre, and now they all knew that
he must be a commedian by profession
But, to their utter astoniShment, he assu>
red them that he never was on the stage,
and very rarely saw the inside of any the
atre. His companions now looked q,
him and at each other with great aston.
| ishment. -' "
Before parting, Stuart said to his COM
| pdhtOuSB FNNShSlSI4CbB } W. "AAA AhN shA'
all have said of my various employ
ments is composed in these few words
am a portrait painter. If you will call al
York Buildings, London, l shall be ready
and willing to brush your coat or hat.
dress your hair / / mode, supply you, il
in need, with wig of any fashion, or di-
mensions. accommodate you with boots
or shoes, give you ruttles or craVats, and
make faces for you.' .. ...
FOn parting with him at the inn, they
begged leave of him to enquire in what
part of England he was born. He raplied,
% was not born in England, Wales, Ire
land or Scotland Here was another
puzzle for them and " Where then %
was the eager inquiry. .-
Il was born at Nnrraganset," was his
reply.
Where's that %
"SiX miles from PoItawoone. and ten
miles from POppasquaSh, and about four
miles west of Canonicut, and not far from
the spot where the famous battle with the
Pequots was fought
lin what part of the East Indies is
that, sir % was the response.
EAST Indies, my dear sir ! it is in the
State of Rhode Island, between Massa
chusetts and the Connecticut river. This
was all Greek to his companions, and he
lie # them TO study new lesson i'll geog-
raphy.