The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-12-30
me. l always eat at the public table, and

considerable interest manifested by the
company in the peculiar subject under
discussion
Signor-Qifting up the gents hat from
his side, and passing it under the eyes oi
the entire group)-'I do not wish to of
fend you, sir, but see here quite a sup
Iply Of provisionsI
This created not a little merriment
at the expense of the stranger, which
soon increased to a 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 his gaze upon the Signor, then,
with a smile. got up from his seat, and
moved toward his state room.
Frightened! 7 says one Of the lockers
on, smiling at the sudden disappearance
OF the stranger
Stranger-( emerging from the state
room)-,No, not frightened, exactly. l
merely put away my book; because 1
find there is going to be somo n about,
want to be counted in, for that is my
sort
Lockers on, enthusiastically ,)-Goodl
bravo, bravo Go it, little 'un, you're a
match for him I
The stranger had barely finished his re-
marks when a loud yeipiu5 AMI snapping
was heard at his heels, and the passengers
began TO scatter thinking u rabid dog
Vas in their midst; bat few minutes
served to prove the barking and yelping
another trick OF the vcntri.oquist.
During the excitement about the dog,
the Signor seeaed constantly brushing
something FROM behind his ear, and be.
coming mu,h annoyed by Continued
buzzns at hi, head, requested QUO of The
passengers exam ue the neca for lie was
.eariul wasp had taken passage on the
boat, aud was engaged III the exclusive
busines=---lf annoying him. An e1ami-
nation proved the Sisnor's tea!s ground
les, and the fun with the st. ongcr con-
unuel Nuw came the sque.ling Ola pig,
ant, i'll few moments. the S.gnur to the
great auiuscment oiIhe crowG, produced
trom the stran1ers ) bosom Il small guinea
pig, which jumped and ran around the
saloon asif pleased AT being released Il ON
such au Uncomfortable lie. tn. Again the
Signor WAS seized with that periodical at
tack Of the wasp and brushed in VAIN
wi:h his hands, to rid himself Of the
Little tormen.or Several Of the plsseu-
gers attempted to catch the refractory
wasp, i.ut each attempt proved futile, aud
isnor soon became Il portion OF the
Of the general amusement OF the passcii-
gers, the buzzing OF the wasp producing
rs much fun as auy OF the wi2zarG won
Gcriul ieats.
Daring all this time, the foatures Of
the stranger remained placid, though his
brilliant black eyes flashed aud gave ev.-
dencc OF no small amount Of mischief
lurking within. The ventriloquist hav-
ing failed to effect the stranger resolved
to try again apparently determined not
only to bring down the boat, but to bring
down the stranger also. -
Signor (stepping up to the stranger)-|
Come. friend, sing Us a good song won
you? Don't be so quiet,
Without further remark the Signor
commenced his W. dert'ul veltriloqua
singing powers by singing flyorite air
with the chorus OF 81, tot lol, lol, etc,
each note OF the young stranger. 30 com
pic;e was the ailusou, that the stranger
received shouts of applause at its con
clusiou, and notwitl. standing ths stran-
gers positive denial Of sipging single
word, the passengers Insisted it was well
done During the singing, the Signor
was again pes:cred with the buzlng in
his ear of that indeIatigabIe wasp, and
seeued utterly unable to flee himself
IRON the pertlnacious insect.
Now, remarked the stranger: as you
insist have been sinSileg song though
entirely unconcious OF tile act, myself, |
think II but fair that Biitz She uld favor
Us With Il stng in return.
At the sound of BIitz'S name, all were
on the quiyive: and now, as the character
of the invcterate joker was understood,
the party insisted upon song.
! Butz (earnestly),-I tell you gentle
men, am no singer, never sang song
III my life, except ventriloqually.'
A voicc-'fhat's whepper.
Bltz (lookiag around)-Who spoke,
who says 1 can sing?
A voice (grufhy hy)-'I do.
Notwithstanding all efforts 70 find the
speaker, he was honest, and the by stand
ers supposed the voice trick Of the Sig
nor s.
A voice (appareutly from the Signor,
who was again annoyed with the buzzlng
of the wasp iii .ing-L'l Ii sing.
B.i -"isutlenel | did not spelk, |
cannot sing; there must be ventriio
lust here.
F A voice (appare ntly the Signor y
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
ten aT f
passengers-''O, good heavens don
Blitz-"I ana not singing gentlemen
this is trick-l russ; there -
The song and remar ks of the Signol
were interrupted by another attack OF the
wasp, and the passengers were laughin:
limmoderatrly at the efforts OF the Sisnor
to keep off the singing, buzzinS,. intru
ding insect.
1 Siguor-'sG entlemen, let me explain
there is another ventrlloquist here. [ am
7Esure of it, and / think this stranger, ou'
! Efriend must be the man." 81
4 Passengers addressing the stranger
-aAre you ventliloquist?
/ Stranger (blandlyll-.'"hen at home
aiE. fss-rr -r.a --4 -f.44 sF-.r 81