Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-14
SCENES FROM LIFE SCENES.
And Real Life Behind the Scenes.
The Rival yentrilooui<ts

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 passengers; but for some un-
exPlalnaole cause, an unusual degree of mo-
notony prevailed. lis true, the card players
were at work, with their accustomed energy,
and little groups Of passengers were earnestly
engaged over the quiet game Of checkers" or
''draughts," while one little circle only were
absorbed in that cid, but now popular game
sness large number Of passengers were
sitting in the forward saloon, gazing listlessly
at each other, apparently, in a state Of stupe-
faction.
Being Of an active temperament and fond of
excitement, We could not suffer ennui upon
such an occasion to get the upper hand of u.s.
so, with 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 ofhce, and laid the whole matter
before the distinguished commander
We have no mus Q on board" the captain
remarked, ''or we might wake the passengers
up with little hop on the light fantastic -
We'll, We replied, docking earelessly over
the list on the paSsenger-roll) we must have
some excitement, for the passage is really
wearisome."
Just at that moment our eyes fell upon a
name distinguished in the annals of diableris
no less parsonage than the celebrated wiz
ard and ventriloquist, Signor Blitz. Here was
indeed reason for crying Eureka" ;" and, forth
with we proceeded In search of the mysterious
wizard. In few moments the signor was
found, quietly reposing in his state-rOom and
the whole difficulty (the occasion called for
elOquence) elOquently laid before him Blitz
consented to create a little ''harmless fun as
he termed it; but the sequel proved it more
funny than harmless. But, without anticipat-
ins, the wizard entered the stewards apart
ment, and providing himself with few huge
slices of bread, and obtaining some Of his little
ina "a 80 L. L
pared, but remarked that he must select a
good subject, for on that selection depended
the fun. We entered the forward saloon noise-
lessly, arm-in-arm, and advanced toward the
quiet, sleepy looking passengers. who were col
leeted together without aim or object. While
running our eyes rapidly around the saloon in
search Of victim, our attention was attracted
toward young man dressed in deep suit of
black, who was seemingly absorbed in a book
which he was attentiyely perusing. We
''nudged" the signor, pointed significantly at
the young man, and received from the former
an affirmative answer, by quiet movement of
the head. The signOr picked up a stool, seated
himself unceremOniOusly between the young
stranger and the end of the table near by
This movement arrested the attention of the
stranger, who looked up, inquiringly.
''1Ou seem to be much interested in your
book, sir, the signor remarked.
Yes, sir, he replied, "a good book is to me
preferable to good dinner"
Signor.-''That depends upon the length of
time you have tasted. BY the way, did not
see you at the dinner table,
Stranger.-''NO, sir, preferred my book. "
SignOr.-''One dollar Is high for a single
meal; commend your economy"
Stranger (indignantly).-I eat tchsn Altagry
whatever the pricei'
Signor.-''I spoke of economy, because OBJ
served some provisions in your hat,''
Stranger Tin an offended tone.-E'P Provisions
SIR Il IN nrOvisiona with I'll.
est at the public table. and pay for it, too -
The whole attention of the passengers was
now centred upon the speakers, and consid-
erable interest manifested by the company in
the peculiar subject under discussion
Slgnor (lifting up the young gents hat from
his side, and passing it under the eyes of the
entire grOup).-''I do not wish to offend YOU
SIR; but L see here quite a supply of provis-
iOns,''
This created not little amusement at the
expense OF the stranger, which soon increased
10 laugh as the wizard drew forth slice after
slice Of stale bread from the young mans hat
The stranger bit his lips in confusion, and fixed
hts gaze upon the signOr; then, with a smile
got up from his seat and moved toward his
state-rOOm.
Frightened !'' says ore of the lookers-on.
smiling at the sudden disappearance Of the
stranger.
Stranger, emerging from the state-room. y
NO. not frightened exactly. | merely put
away my book, because find there is going to
be some fun aboard, and when there's fun
forte"
LOoker-on, enthusiastically .)-s.Good bra
for him -
The stranger had barely finished his remark.
when a loud yelping and swapping was heard
~ MS heels, and the passengers began to scat
ter, thinking rabid dog was in their midst:
out lew minutes served to prove the barking
anu yelpIng another trick of the yentriIoouist
During the excitement about. the dog, the
siSnoI seemed constantly brushing something
from behind his ear, and becoming mucb an
noyed by a continual buLzing at his head. re-
quested one of the passengers to examine his
neck; Tor he was fearful a wasp had taken pas
sage on the boat and was engaged in the exclu-
siVe business of annoying him. An examina-
ion proved the signor's fears groundless. and
the fun with the stranger Continued. Nov
came the squealing of n pig, and, in a few mo-
ments, the signOr, to the great amusement of
the crowd, produced from the strangers bo-
som small guinea-P pig, which jumped and ran
around the saloon as II pleased az being re-
leased from such an uncomfortable berth
AGAIN the signOr was seized with that periodi-
cal attack of the wasp. and brushed in vain
with his hands to rid himself Of the little tor
menter. Several Of the passengers attempted
10 catch the refractory wasp, but each attempt
proved futile, and the attacks Of the insect
"POn tHe ucad Ol the siBnOr soon became a
portion OF the general amusement for the pas
sengers: the buzIing Of the wasp produced as
mueh fun as any of the wizards wonderful
fsIts.
Daring all this time the features Of the stran.
ger remained placid, though his brilliant bIsck
eyes flashed, and gave evidence of no small
amount of mischief lurking within The YEN
triloquisr having failed TO affect the stranger
resolved to try again, apparently determined
not only TO bring down the boat, but to bring
down the stranger also.
SisuOr stepping up to the young stranger)-l
Tome, friend, sing US good song, won't you?
Don't be so quiet"
Without further remark, the Signor com
meneed his wonderful ventriloquisl singing
powers by singing fsyorite air, with a chorus
VI M. toi lol, etc, each note appearing to
SomS from the mouth of the young stranger
80 complete was the illusion that the stranger
received shouts Of applause at its conclusion;
and Notwithstanding his positive denial of
singing single word, the passengers insisted
u. u was well done. During the singing. the
Signor WAS sgain pestersd with the buzxing in
ms ear Of that indefatigable wasp, snd seemed
utterly unable To free himself from m. rart;