Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-09-22
Gilbert Charles Stuart, the Man of all
-EET Trades. s.

he was travelling in England in stage
coach with some gentlemen who, were
strangers to him, but all were sociable and
lively. The party stopped to dine at an
inn, and after dinner the conversation be-
ing animated and val as, Stuart became
conspicuous in it, not only for his wit and
humor, but for his correct judgement rapid
thought and apt phrases. The curiosity OF
his companions was aroused, and with
Yankee like 1nquisitiveness they desired to
know aUbo and 2ohdt he was a
Mr.. Stuart with grave face, and in q
serious tone of voice, replied that he
sometimes dressed gentleman's and ladies
hair. guy-s -a ra
sob, you are a hair dresser then ?" re-
turned one of the company with some
what derogatory stare
ssWhat do [ look like barber" de-
manded the ineog11ito artist, sternly. .
81 beg your pardon, sir" replied the
subdued cockney, ''but I inferred it from
what you said. If I mistook you, may
take the liberty to inquire what you are,
then ?" .s
''Why, sometimes I brush gentleman'a
coat or hat, and adjust his cravat.
go you are valet, then, to some no.
bleman?" si ~ .-.-----.
IA valet I" retorted Stuart, with mock
indignation; ''indeed, sir, am not I am
not servant. To be sure I make coats
and waistcoats for gentlemen.
''Ah ! you are tailor p
'Tailori do you take me for tailor? I'll
assure you I never handled a goose other
than a roasted one"
BY this time the joke was beginning to
be fully appreciated, and the whole compa-
nv were in q roar of LAUGHTER
''What in the world are you, then?" de-
manded another gentleman, taking up the
office of interlocutor.
81 will tell you," said Stuart, with great
apparent sincerity; 'be assured all have
told you is strictly true. I dress hair,
brush hats and coats, adjust cravats, and
make coats, waistcoats and breeches, and
likewise boots and shoes, at your service 7
"Oho !! a boot and shoe maker, after
all p contemptuously returned the ques-
TONER. -
'fGuess again, gentlemen" continued
Stuart, good humoreily. 81 never ham
died boot or shoe but for my own feet and
legs; yet all have told you is true"
eve may as well give up guessing; it is
of no use" ---.
The fun-loving painter, checking his
own laughter, which was on the point of
bursting forth, and stimulating fresh flow
of spirits by huge pinch of snuff, said,
gravely, as if bringing the matter to sat
isfactory conclusions:
'fNow, gentlem en-, I will not play the
fool with You any longer, but will tell you,
upon my honor as q gentleman, my bona
tiae profession-I get my bread by n1ating
faces"
He then screwed up his countenance and
txxzIc ta1 ~
skillful clown might have envied.
When the loud peal OF laughter had sub
sided, the company, with one accord, de-
clared that they chad all the while suspect
ed that the gentleman belonged to the
theater;" they all 'sknew he must be a
comedian by profession. But when Stuart
coolly informed them that he never was on
the stage, and very rarely inside of play
house, their chagrin and astonishment
equaled their previous merriment.
Gentlemen, said Stuart to his compan-
ions as he was about to leave them, 'syou
will find all [ have said in regard to my va
riouS employments is comprised III these
few words: am portrait painter. If you
will call upon me at York Buildings, Lon
don, shall be ready and willing to brush
you q coat or hat, dress your hair q Ia mode,
supply you, if you need, with wig of any
fashion or dimensions, accommodate you
with boots or shoes, give you ruffies or era
vats and Tldke faces for you"
While taking parting glass at the inn,
the gentlemen begged leave to inquire Of
the artist in what part of England he was
born. He told them he was not born il
England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales.
'sWhere, then?" persisted the English
Yankees.
81 was born in Narragansett, replied
Stuart.
s'And where is that ?"
ssSix miles from Pottawoone, and ter
from Poppasquash, and about four miles
west of Connonicut, and not far from the
spot where the famous battle with the
warlike Pequots was fought" was the in
slant reply.
'In what part of the East Indies ii
that, sir ?' inquired a pompous English
man.
s'East Indies, my dear sir It is in the
state of Rhode Island, between Massachu
setts and the Connecticut river"
And with this novel lesson in geography
Gilbert Stuart took leave of his travelling
companions,