The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-08-26
MiSeel1 amenl1s.
For The E3is d Intel Hgencer
TRAVELS WITH A PAINTING.
HIGH PoINT, NC, AUG. 10Th. 1870

HIGH POINT, NC, Aug 10th, 1870.
MEssRs. EDITORS: At the suggestion
of Il friend, ! am induced to submit to YOU.
for publication, a brief narrative of my
travels with sacred painting; nor do |
undertake this without some fears that [
shall be imposing too much upon your ow n
good sense and that of your readers. If
so, however, hope to be pardoned
The work of art to which / allude was
the result of my own humble efforts, and
represented the Burial or Entombing of
our Lords Body. This painting occupied
one hundred square feet of canvas, on which
were represented six figures, large as life.
The time occupied in this work was about
fifteen months, during which my life was
almost that ofentire seclusion. The paint
ing being now completed and ready for
exhibition, my mind lifted up with buoy
ant hopes of success, anxious to obtain the
long anticipated fortune, resolved at once,
sink or swim, to make the effort.
My first exhibition was at Barbouryile,
KY, where met with such encouragement
as to induce me to continue my travels.
Taking leave of the good people who had
SO kindly patronized ne, bent my course
in the direction of Tazewell, Tennessee, at
which place | found travelling ventrilo-
quist, who had procured rooms, and given
notice of an exhibition that night OF his
wonderful powers of ventriloquism. The
people began to assemble at the Court
House, in short, it was soon full to over
flowing with anxious spectators, each of
whom had taken stock to the amount of
twenty-five cents.
No one was more interested in this ex-
hibition than our illustrious and corpulent
old landlord, on whom the honor of door
keeper was conferred (but not, however, I'M
til the people had all assembled) The
actor having forgotten something at the
hotel, begged leave of absence for few
moments, when he would return and give
us the full benefit of our money. One long
hour had passed, and not a note or sound
was heard from that most wonderful and
gifted man, whose powers ofventriloquism
had heretofore been the admiration and
astonishment of the world. An express
sion of uneasiness begins to flash upon the
landlords face. He becomes restless and
unhappy. Every air and manner seems to
indicate the fear of lost bill; and in his
agony turns to the audience, and exclaims,
in loud and tremulous voice "Ladies
and gentlemen, the show is over |"
have attended many exhibitions, but
never before or since have | ever felt my
self SO entirely remunerated or compensa-
ted for my twenty-five cents. Eighteen
years ago and yet he stands fresh before
me. | never shall forget him, and you
would doubtless be surprised were to tell
you that it was twelve months or more be-
fore ! could get up painting of any kind
without having some of that old man in
it.
Suffice it to say, that the people of this
town were sufficiently amused with exhibit
tons So I resumed my journey, and set
ting out for other parts, soon found my
self in a little town called Blountville; and
as | cast my eyes about, my attention was
directed to conspicuous sign suspended
over door, on which was inscribed in
large letters:
LARRY sNAPP, HOTEL KEEPER.
Here took up for the night, fatigued
and wearied from q long and tiresome
ride, having first partaken of a mixed sup
per, consisting mostly of boiled eggs,
with chickens or without, just as the tray
eler preferred, and all things else proper
tionably arranged. retired to my room,
where had hoped to find rest for my tired
and wearied bonest but 10! and behold,
scarce had laid myself down till the mid
night assassins began their work. But the
interposing hand of Providence bore me
up under that night of affection, and was
] spared to see the light OF another morn.