Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-03-31
BY DIR. j. II. robson.

It is well known that Ossian E.
Dodge, the comic singer, is q great
genius Many Of his eccentricities are
irresistably droll.
Not long since, while on q singing
tour through New Hampshire, the fol-
lowing scene occurred:
Mr.. Dodge always stands at the
door and takes the tickets, as the low
crs Of fun pass into the exhibition room.
This is one Of his queer fancies, which
no person can persuade him to aban-
don.
While thus engaged in the town Of
Claremont, in the State we have men
toned, his attention was directed to 4
respectfully dressed individual, who
appeared to be scanning him with the
greatest interest. After this silent
scrutiny had continued for few min
utes, he stepped up to Mr. Dodge, with
the air of y man who wishes to say
something in the deepest confidence.
Now it SO happens that the comic
man wears . sort of gray oVercoat of
ample size chow long he has had it,
himself only knows), the collar of which
he draws up about his face in such q
manner, while taking the tickets, that
40 portion of his face is visible, but
the 5cdcling feature, that is, his nose,
(Which, by the way, is good sized
one together with very small part
of his forehead, and the most comic
pair of eyes ever put into q mans
head No person not acquainted with
him would imagine for a moment that
the ''door TENDER and the singer are
one and the same.
Laboring under this mistaken idea,
the stranger addressed Mr. Dodge in
q serious and confidential tone, as If
he appealed to the honor of the ''tick-
et-taker," he should infallibly arrive at
the truth.
"Mister''-and the tall stranger laid
his hand in friendly manner upon the
singers arm, and brought his proboscis
almost in iuxtaposition with the cores
ponding organ upon the door-keeper's
countcnance-'Mister, is this ere per-
formance worth hearing, or is it al a
'taynaz he0abug ?"
For moment Mr. Dodge allowed
his eyes to journey up and down the
tall figure Of the speaker, as if consid-
ering whether he was a man he could
trust, and whether he should run any
risk in telling him an honest truth
This scrutiny appeared satisfactory on
the part of the singer, and in tone
equally confidential he whispered in
the ear of the questioner-
E'H IS all q botD15ug ~
The look that accompanied this com
munication signifed far more than the
words
'Humph. I thought So" replied the
stranger, with a knowing look. II can
almost always twig these strolling
scamps."
eyes, 1 saw that at glance,'' re-
piled Dodge.
s:Can he sing any?" added the stran-
ger, with q patronizing air, Just as
though he could do little in that way
himself if he should condesccnd to
try.
'Singr' reiterated Ossian, drawing
the interrogater toward him for the
p"ipooe ol giving eHlpnaolS anu uuc-
ton to his words "sing! he can't sing
any more than I cam
"Sho you don't say SOP
''Positive fact I can go through
with his jimcracks just as well as he
can"
sThe varmint. I'll have him print
cd in the papers" ," retorted the now in
dignant stranger.
s'Risht" rejoined Dodge. 'Y on
are the real New Hampshire grit. If
the printers ask anything for printing
it, Tll cobalt the expense, for, between