Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-09-30
SCENES FROM LIFE SCENES

checkers, or drsughts, while one little circle
only were absorbed in that old, but now popu-
lar game, chess. Alsrge number Of passen-
gers were sitting in the Forward saloon, gaz-
ing listlessly at each Other apparently, in a
state Of stupefsetion.
Being Of an active temperament and fond Of
excitement, we could not suffer eaaHi upon
such an occasion to get the upper hand Of US
50, with a view to kicking up some kind Of a
rumpus for our own sake and the relief Of the
passengers generally, we walked boldly into
the CAPTAINS Office. and laid the whole matter
before the distinguished commander.
I've have no music on board,S the captain
remarked. cor we might wake the passen-
gers up with a little bop on the light fan
tantic."
aWsu,n we replied, Cooking earelsssly over
the list on the Passengers rol,) Eve must
have some sxeitement for the passage is re-
ally lonesome
inst al tbst moment our eyes fen upon a
name distinguished in the annals Of d~iGbicrie,
no less a pers0uage than the celebrated wizard
and ventriloquist, Signor Blitiz. Here was
indeed reason for crying Eureka and,
forthwith we proceeded in search Of the mys-
ferrous wizard. In a few moments the signoT
was found quietly reposing in his state room,
and the whole difficulty CHE occasion called
for eloauence) elOquentlY laid before him
BHtz consented to create a little hapmless fun,
as he termed il but the sequel proved II more
funny than harmless.
But, without anticipating, the wizard ELI
tered The Stewards spartment. and uroViding
himself with a few huge slices OF bread, and
obtaining some Of his little animate assistants,
he announced himself prepared, but remarked
that he must select a good subject for on that
selection depended the fun We entered the
forward saloon noiseless, arm-in-arm, and ad-
vanced toward the quiet, sleepy looking pas
Eeneers. who were collected together without
-e. ~ Thr.-A While mining mr. uwer ran
idly around the saloon in search Of a victim,
cur attention was attracted toward a young
man dressed in a deep suit Of black, who was
seemingly absorbed in a book, which be was
sttsntiVely perusing.
We nudged' the signOT, pointed signif-
cantly at he young man, and received from
the former an Affirmative answer, BY a quiet
movement Of the head The signor picked up
stool, seated himself unceremoniOusly be-
tween the young stranger and the end Of the
table near By This movement arrested the
attention OF the stranger, who looked up in
guiringly.
50 You seem to be much interested in your
book, sir" the signor remarked.
Yes, sir" he replied, " a good book is to
ne preferable 10 a good dinner"
SiEnor.-T That depends upon the length Of
tine you have tasted. By the way, I did not
see you al the dinner table p
STanger-"No 70, sir, 7 preferred ny beck"
CaELlLs@ Vic LlAA1A II A-A A- EA1-E
neal; ] commend your economy
Stranger Qndgnantly)@l eat srheH haHgTy,
whatever the price,
Signor-~1 spoke Of economy, because I
observed some provisions in your batl'
Stranger (n an offended toDe-)1Provis-
ions, sir IosuT no provisions with ne. /
always eat At The public table, and pay for it,
t0o17
The whole attention Of the passengers was
now centered upon the speakers, and consider
able interest manifested BY the company in the
peculiar subject under discussion.
s:Enor Of1nE up the young gents hathom
his SIDE, and passing If under the ewes Of the
entire group-)-"Ido not wish to offend you,
sir; but see here quite a supply Of proyis-
ion -
This created not a little amusement al the
expense Of the stranger, which soc0 increased
20 a laugh as the wizard drew forth slice after
slice Of stale bread from the young mans hat.
The stranger BIT his lipsin confusion, and fixed
his gaze upon the signOr; then, with a smile,
got up from his seat and moved toward his
state room.
frightened - SAYS one Of the lookers-on,
smiling at the sudden disappearance Of the
stranger.
Stranger, (emerging IRON the state room.)-
aNo not frightened exactly. / merely put
away ny book, because I find there is going
60 be some fun abroad, and when there's fun
about I want to be counted in,' for that's ny
f0rte.1
Looker-on, enthusiastically" Good
bravo bravo Go it, little 'un you're amateh
for himg'
The stranger had barely finished his remarks
when a loud Yslping and swapping was heard
at his heels, and the passengers began to scat
ter, thinking a rabid dog was in their midst
but a few minutes served 70 prove the barking
and yelping another trick Of the ventriloquist.
During the excitement about the dog, the
siEnor seemed constantly brushing something
from behind bis ear, and becoming much an
moved by a continual buzzing at his head, re-
uueEted one CT the passengers TO examine his
neck; for he was fearful q wasp bad taxed pas
on the boat and was engaged in the eX- 4,
elusive business Of annoying him. An eXami- I
nation proved the signOr's fears groundless,
and the fun with the stranger continued Now
the squeaking Of a PIC, and, in a few Z
the signoT, to the great amusement J
Of the crowd, produced from the Strangers boz ,
SON q small guinea-pig, which jumped and ran
around the saloon as il pleased at being re-
leased from such an uncomfortable berth
Again the signOr was sliced with that peTiodi-
cal attack Of the wasp, and brushed IN vain
bis hands TO rid himself Of the little tor
menter. Several Of the passengers attempted
10 catch the refractory wasp, bat each attempt
proved futile, and the attacks Of the insect
the head Of the gignor soon became a
portion Of the general amusement for the pas
the buzzing Of the wasp produced as
much fun as any Of the wizards wonderful
feats.
During al this time tie features Of the
remained placid, though bis brilliant
eyes flashed, and gave evidence Of no
smali amount OF mischief lurking within The
-entrloquist having failed 20 Affect the stran-
resolved to Try again, apparently deter '
mined, not only TO bring down the boat, but 10
1ring down The stranger also.
Signor, Cstepping up to the young Strangely
Z Come, friend, sing Us a good song, wont you
Don't be 80 quiet" !
Without further remark. The Signor com {
nenced his wonderful v~entulOquial singing z
BY singing a fag0rite air, with a chorus Z
# "Ri-tol-ll,7 etc, each note appearing 10 .
one from the mouth Of The young stranger.
So complete was the Illusion that the stranger
eceiTed shouts Of applause at its conclusion 9
nd. notwithstanding his positive denial Of
ingiug a single word, the passengers insisted l
was well done During the singing, the Sig !
.or was again pestered with the buzzing in :,
be ear Of that indefatigsble wasp, and seemed
unable 70 free himself from the peril
.acious insect. {
Nov" remarked the stranger, :" as you in Y
that have been singing a song, though 5
Htirely unconscious If the act myself, ] think q
/ but fair that Blitz should favor rs with a Q
0nE In return" =
Al the sound o. Blitz's name, an were on /,
be qEf riUc-snd now, as the character Of the o.
Joke was understood, the party in :
isted upon a song. 4
Biitz, Cearnesay)-HI tel you, gentlemen, B
am no singer-hever sang a song in ny life, =
Except ventriloquially." d.
A roiee-"Thats a ~whopperF7 4
Bli-z, Cooking sround)@ Who spoke-who {.
I can sing ~ .
voice, (grufiy)SI do"
Notwithstanding all efforts to hnd the speak !.
To- - 81 1000 umr--unH =
De voice a trick q the Signor's- p
A voice, apparently from the Sign0r, who :
vas again annoyed with the burning Of the :
ysEp)SF sing-Pn sing" u
Bliz-H Gentlemen, / did not speak CAP q
lot sing there must Be a ventriloquist here ~ ca
A voice, (apparently the SignOr's)@"Should
acquaintance be forgot
Passengsr-"O Oh good Heavens, don't sing
hstl5
"BIiiz-"I an not singing, gentlemen; this
5 a trick, a ruse there's I
The song and remarks Of the Signor were
Interrupted BY another attack Of the wasp, and
5e p-aFsengefs were laughing immoderatelv at
BE- Efforts Of the signor to keep of The sting |
ng. buzzing, iLtruding insect :
SiEnor@HGeutlemen, let me explain there q
another Fentrloquist here ] an sure Of it, is
nd I think this stranger, our friend, must be
be man,
Passengers, addressing the stranger)-~Ars .
OF a HNllLAaaAe+a
Stranger. biandly)-NWhen at home am
BItz, Cstsring AZ The young sranger)- !
And your mans isl /,
Stranger, CsmilingGWyman, the wizard .
nd ventriloquist0 :
Bltz-aAnd the ~confounded wasp was moth !,
lE more or less than q
stranger, QnteTupting)-"Wynsn he ven )
~rlocuist.o ,
The two wizards shook hands heartily, and '
be passengers enjoyed a laugh which fairly 2
hook the boat from stem to stern, and FOR the e
alance OF that trip there was no end 10 fun. =
ne boat was stopped BY Blitz, started By a
Fyman; Bhtz got Up a false alarm Of FIRE, re
nd hyman burst the boiler, to the holy horror
several old maids. Blitz bolted whole DO
stoes al ne table Wymsn slowed away =
hieEens, alive and kicking. Blitz had 3
waters constantly bringing the wrong &
ishes; Nyman had dogs and cats under tbe y
able, and between them both tie SPLENDID
teamer Goddess Of Lbertyv was oonniete-
: turned INC an immense stage, with the \
Comea OF Errou upon IT, FOR the smuss- =
aent Of he three hundred passengers.
Both wizards have since become infimst.tv