The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-16
More About cart emas Ward"

The editor of the Toledo (Ohio) Blade, for
mer comrade of "Artemas Wardn gives some
"reminiscences of the late humorist. We make
a few extracts:--
"a curious adventure befel him on his way
north, and we give it as told to us by himself,
In village in Southern OHIO, Browne and tel
low Jour found themselves completely
strapped and with no prospect of obtaining
work or help of any kind. Brownies companion
hit on a lucky idea. Browne was to remain
quiet at the hotel whilst his companion made
acquaintances outside, and by his remarks led
the people to believe that Fletcher Webster was
stopping in town. The scheme succeeded. The
maenates of the town hastily gathered and paid
their respects to Fletcher Webster who soon
found himself holding levee, attended by
nearly all the population. Complimentary sup
per was given and presents forced upon him.
When the PAIR took their departure, day or
two afterwards, the landlord refused to take any
pay, esteeming the honor of entertaining a near
relative OF the Great EXpOunder' TO be more
than an equivalent for the bQard and lodging
furnished Unhappily, however the trick was
discovered soon after the pair of friends lett the
place, warrant was issued, and they were pur-
sued by the constable and landlord. The iugi-
tives seized hand-caT and attempted to escape
by its means on the track, but were overhauled,
brought back and locked up. The Justice, how
ever, either found the law had no hold on the
practical jokers, or thought the whole affair a
good Joke, for they were allowed to go free.
''At the end of his travels he brought up in
Toledo, where he was employed as IA composltor
on the Republican,, then printed. few local
items which he dressed up in spicy language
Toledo Commercial. and he was engaged as
local editor on that paper.
There was a vacancy in the local department
of the Pi0iRdedter at that time, and Mr.. Gray
rendered the position TO the young Toledo
printer, whose items in the Toledo Republican
and commercial had struck MS fancy. Browne
at once accepted, coming to Cleveland in the
summer of 1857. Here he soon became popular,
not only by his contributions to the local
columns OF ithe PtGiR6edteT, but also by his
genial social characteristics. He was not a
steady worker in getting up the local news Of
the day but he made up Tor any deficiency In
this respect by 'inVenting' startling news items,
| and by humorous adaptations of anecdotes he
| had heard, and to which he managed 10 give q
| local Colorlng. 1t was to fill vacancy caused
| by "a lack of local news that he started his
! 'Artemas Ward letters, originally intended to
| run only to the extent of three four, but the
success of which induced him to continue
! them.
"His first attempt at lectuTing was made, we
| believe, in Rochester, New York, and those who
heard him afterwards will readily believe thai
! the audience was both amazed and aAused We
forget what he called the lecture on that occa-
! sion, but shortly afterwards, in writing us to
| announce his delivery of the same lecture in
Cleveland he lett it Discretionary to call it the
Seven Poor Grandmothers-whicb he thought
perhaps the most taking title-'Babes in the
! WOod'-'The Live SeCret-or either OF the six
| or seven other names he suggested. The only
stipulation was that he was to be informed OF
! the name selected. He added that il made nc
! particular difference which name was chosen
one would have as much to do with the subject
| as the others.' There was good deal of truth
| in that Joke.
'The lecture experiment proved a success Sc
! great that he was himself astonished His plan.
as sketched to us, was 20 visit the prncOa
cities the first year, then the second class rowns
and then the villages that had not found owl
! what the lecture actually Was-but never visit
! ing the same place twice. Tina! would occupy
three years, when there might be chance tc
| 90 10 California, and perhaps England. His eX
traordlnary success rendered this programme
| Unnecessary