The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-12-01
Art,emus Ward.

The late Charles +. Browne was a great qulz.
He was always puzziing people, ana ceulo not
helm it. He talked nonsense with sucn serious
ness, and such entire absence OF anything the-
atricat in his manner, that Tery oteen ne par
tially imposed upon those who knew hlm Dest.
IN Hinestone's "Reminiscences Of Artemus
Ward. nwe find this account of his discussion
of literary subjects with Lady whom ne met
on an Ohio river steamboat:
8 Among the fairer portion of the passengers
vas a yeTy retiring, quiet young lady, who wore
sDectacles, and who appeared to have the man
ners and bearing of one whose occupation IN
life was to impart her knowledge to others In
some college orseminary that; at least was the
guess ArteInus and had about her. We had
noticed her early in the afternoon, buslly read.
ing About's story of "Le Roi des Montagues.
As soon as supper was over she resumed her
reading, cutting the leaves of the book with a
pocket paper-knife as she read on. BY what
means nv friend contrived an Introduction, l
aI,l not aware: but I found him in conversation
with her when went to request his company
2 to smoke cigar with me and the two military
doctors:
aExcuse me-" said Artemus. s'This. lady
was asking me if I read French. 1t is serious
question, and i was rejecting whether do"
The lady seemed to be little surprised and
explained to me that she had simply asked 1t
NV friend knew the French language, as she
wished to recommend to him the story she her
self had been reading during the afternoon.
att is story about brigands in Greece . said
she, sand it IS so charmingly picturesque that
Ican almost fancy myself to be in that classic
land AS, I read. the blue skies of Greece
seemed TO be over my head, and the Egean Sea
TO be sparkling in the glorious light"
Then followed question from Artemus,
which 7 quote as literally as can remember
APardon me, madam, but do you Shink that
glorious sunlight in Greece is constitutional
that Is to say, if early be the dream of youth
whenever they are so-and you know, pre-
sumo, that George Washington, when young,
never told a ie-that is, Greece-in the blue
skies, mean. You understand me of course ], I,
Instead of understanding, the lady appeared
10 be utterly bewildered. At first she seemed
to doubt whether she had heard distinctly. The
expression on her face indicated that she had
suspicion of her not having paid sufficient at
tention so as to enable her to comprehend the
interrogatory.
aDo understand You to say that George
Washington went to Greecein his youth !" she
asked sI scarcely think understand you"
Arteplus Ward maintained his gravity, and
proceeded to explain.
5esI was about to remark" said he, ''that as
far as Greece is concerned, be was more So"
More so of what2" asked the lady, still more
perple1ed.
More 50 with regard it viewed morally.
Because the Egean is a ,ea-a blue sea, which
might, if not under those circumstances
parallel instances very truthfully though but
before breakfast-always before the morriing
meal. You agree with me, hope?" and Arte-
mus smiled and bowed politely.
The lady closed her book; laid it on the ta-
Bile, and raising her spectacles so as to enable
her to see better, regarded Artemus with amaze
ment. The ladies and gentlemen around, who
had overheard the conversation, looked at the
speaker with equal astonishment. Artemus
shook his head mournfully, and in deploring
tone of voice observed:
sBlne Greeks-blue Egean brigands, dead
before their breakfastw
Mercy me,o cried the lady. 'The poor fel-
lows out of his mind. Has he no friends with
him? He is much to be pitied."