The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-02
The Rival VentriloquiStS.

The Rival Ventriloquists.
Once upon time,' as the story tellers'
have it. We were sailing down the gteat
Father of Waters, the Mississippi in the
beautiful steamer Goddess of Liberty
Bound from ST.. Louis to New Orleans
We had on board. the usual variety of pas.
seDgers; but for some unexplainable cause,
On unusual degree of monotony prevailed.
IT'S true the card players were at work,
! with their accustomed energy, and little
groups Of passengers were earnestly en-
gagged over the quiet game of checkers
or 'draughts,' while one little circle on'y
were afforded in that old, but now popu.
lar game, chess A large number of
passengers were sitting in the forward sa-
loon, gazed listlessly at each other, ap-
pArently, in state of stnpefaction. 81
= Being of an active temperament, and
found Of excitement, we could not suffer
snnui upon such an occasion to get the
npper hand of us; so, with view to kick
ing up some kind of rumpus, for our
own sake, and the relief Of the passengers
generally, we walked boldly into the cap
tain's Office, and laid the matter before the
distinguished cammander.Gge -oi eal d i
, we have no music on board the cap
tain remarked. 'or we might wake the
passengers up with . little hop on The
light fantastic" s aaa rs
WELL we replied, docking carelessly
evur the list on the passenger roll, 1--WE
1 must have some excitement, for the pas
sage is really wearisome.'
Just at that moment, our eyes fell. up
on name distinguished in the annals of
aia5lsris-no less parsonage than the
ceIebrated wizard aud ventriloquist, Sig
nor Blits. Here was indeed reason for
crying Eureka, anu, forthwith, we pro-
ceeded in search of the mysterious wizard.
In q few moments the Signor. was found
quietly reposing in his state-room, and
! the whole difficulty (the occasion for elo-
quence) eloquently laid before him. Bli;z
consented to create little harmless fun, ,
as he termed it; but the sequel proved it
more funny than harmless. But without
anticipating. the wizard entered the stew
ards apartment, and providing himself
With few huge slices of bread, and OBJ
) tanning some of his little animate assist
! ants, he announced himself prepared, but
remarked that we must select q good sub
ject, for on that selection depended the
s fan. We entered the forward saloon
B uoiaelessly, arm in arm, and advanced to-
the sleepy looking passengers, who we're
collected together without aim or object.
While running our eyes rapidly around
the room in search of victim, our atten-
stion was attracted toward q young man
dressed in deep suit Of black, who was
seemingly absorbed in q book, which he
was attentively perusing. We nudged the
d Senior, pointed significantly to the young
man, aud received from the former an Of
9 frmatiye answer. by quiet movement of
the head. The Signor picked up stool,
seated himself unceremoniously between
the young stranger and the end of the ita-
: ble near by. The movement arrested the
attention Of the stranger, who looked up
inquiringIy. Il lass8 Tsfaarl .s8
III a-You seem to be much interested in
your book, sir,' the Signor remarked.
.Yes, sir,' he replied, q good book is
!, to me preferable to > good dinner a
65E Signor-'That depends upon the length
Of time you have tasted. By the way, /
did not see you at the dinner table,
No, sir, / preferred my book '
Signor-.One dollar is too high for a
single meal, commend your economy
.so Stranger (indignantly)-r.I feat s0hen
hungry, whatever the pricel' afa 20 e
io1 SIgner-'Iispoke Of economy because
n observed some provisions in your hat
Stranger iin an offended tone e)-'Pro-
visions, sir? / carry no provisions, sir? ]
carry no provisions with me, I always
i eat at the public table, and pay for it
9 tool' so ~ 49,
Is the whole attention of the passenger
was now centered upon the speakers, anG
3 eonsiderah!e interest manifested by the
company in the peculiar subject under
& discussion.
= s Signor Cifting up the gents hat from
j his side, and passing it under the eyes O
she entire group)--I do not wish to Offend
you sir, Abut see here quite supply o
provisioRs!' -
tiI This created not g little Eerriment al
,9the expense Eof the stranger. which soor
!, increased to . laugh, as the wizard drew
forth slice after slice Of stale bread from