The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-18
RENINIScENCE OF J. B. COUGH.

The fact has already been announced
that John B.. Cough, the famous tenn
perance orator, is said to have received
an offer of $62,4OO a year for one
nights lecture in each week in the
city of London. In referring to this
fact the Titusville Herald gives some
interesting "reminiscences. of Cough, as
follows:
CA gentleman of this city gives us
some "reminiscences of this famous man,
who, it is well known, has seen a great
deal of vicissitude, eaten the bread Of
poverty, and passed through all the
miserable phases of drunkard's career,
until. by reformation, he has risen to
the highest pinnacle of contemporary
fame, ecipsing the splendor ofthe stage
and Senate by the magic creation Of
his genius. Our informant, now in
middle lite, well recalls the time when
John was poor and friendless book.
binderi in Newburyport, Massachusetts,,
in the employ Of Mr.. Tilton, living
from hand to mouth, consorting with
/" fire laddies," the victim Of jolly
blenders - and desperate straits. He
recollects one summer night of sitting
on the steps of St. Paul's church, when
John came sauntering along with a
doleful face, as if he had lost the last
friend he had in the world. They fell
into conversation, and John then told
his pathetic story of his bad luck which
had dogged his heels from childhood.
Mr.. B, as we will call our infor-
mant, was moved by the piteous tale,
and bestirred himself to make friends
and business for John, taking his mag
azines to bind, DC. There was a de-
batting club in town called the Cicero
of which B-was a member, with
other choice spirits, some of which have
since become distinguished in different
walks of life. B invited John one
night to drop in; he thought at first he
was not good enough for such associa-
tions, hut was finally prevailed upon
to do so. After the several members
had spoken their pieces, B called
upon John, and with much reluctance
he recited the Sailor Boys Dream, and
with such dramatic effect as overshad-
owed all competition and electrified the
house. B then persuaded John to
repeat the story he had told him on
the church steps, and he complied,
much to the delight Of the auditors.
"Soon after this a brilliant party
was given in town, and our fellow citi-
zens secured an invitation for John,
who was taken quite aback at such
social recognition. B. and his
friends eked out Johns scanty ward
robe to make him presentable, and by
a concerted arrangement with the host,
Colonel -, the embryo orator was
asked tor song and recitation, which
were the life Of the evenings entertain
ment: The Colonel next day, learning
the circumstances of John, gave him a
substantial fn proof of his appreciation.
Inc next incident recollected by B.
was Johns first temperance lecture,
winch was opened by Rev. DR.. D. The
same night John got on spree, and
brought up at Agile Company No. 6's
ehglne-house, where he burlesqued his
own previous effort, as well as the pray
er OF the reverend gentleman who had
INVOKED blessing. But the ice was
proken, John had discovered his gift,
puC 1t was some time after that he found |
sls s. mlsslon.' 1t was some years be-
+omnn tore ne became resolutely steady and
rrnpeiance ~an1o lecturer by profession. His
s;dns a.o rs now household word on both
sioes aS es ol the Atlantic, and his triumphs
in h;a ha orator have never been surpassed
bund, n1s peculiar style and line. Twelve
snooah Ieu dollars 16, in gold for a single
1p.1on 1a"J This beats the earnings of the
Iels and els OF the bar, popular preachers,
all Gn tne stars OF the stage, and eclipses
oil 0reek and Roman fame"