The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-16
A ser,pssrsi Pssers~s.
Mark Twain, In tho Alta California, tells tho
following enter attaining history Of the scrip,ural
Panorama:

following enter tanning history Of the scriptural
Panorama: ........ ....
There was fellow travelling around In that
country, said Mr.. Nickersou, with moral ne
ligious Show sort OF scriptural panonms-
and he hired Q wooien-heaiei old slab 10 play
the piano for him. Amer the hrst nights per-
lormance, the Snowman says:
"My friend, you seem 10 know pretty much
oil the tunes there are. and you worry along
first rate. But then don't you notice that Last
night the piece you happened to be playing was
little rough on the proprietos, 80 TO speak
didn't seem to jibe with the general gai Of the
picture that was passing at the time, as II were
WAS little foreign 10 the subject, you know.
as II you didn't either trump or follow suit, you
understand"
"well, no." the fellow said; he hadn't no
ticed, but Il might be; he had played along
Just as Il came handy.
50 they put Il up that the simple old dummy
was to keep his eye on the panorama after that.
and rs soon rs q stunning picture was reeled
out, he was to 70 II to a dot with Q piece Of mu-
sic that would help the audience TO get the Idea
Of the subject, and warm them up like camp
meeting revival. The sort OF thing would cor
raj their sympathies, the Snowman said.
There was big audience that night, mostly
middle-aged and old people who belonged to the
church and took strong interest In Bible mat
tiers. and the balance were pretty much young
bucks and hcifers-they always come out strong
on panoramas, you know. because Il gives them
chance TO taste one snother's mug In the
dark.
Well. the Snowman began 10 swell himself up
for his lecture, and the old mud-dobber tackled
the piano and ran his fingers up and down
once or twice to see that she was al right, and
the fellow behind the curtain commenced to
grind out the panorama. The Snowman bal.
anced his weight on his right foot, and propped
his hands over his hips, and flung bis eyes over
his shoulder at the scenery, and said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the painting nov be-
fore you illustrates the Beautiful and touching
parable Of the Prodigal Son. Observe The hsp-
Ply expression just breaking over the features OF
the poor, suffering youth-eo worn snd weary
with bis long march; note also the ecstscy
beaming from the uplifted oountenance Of the
aged father, and the Joy that sparkles In tho
eyes Of tho excited group Of youths and msid-
ems. and seems ready TO burst In . welcoming
chorus from their lips. Tho Lesson, my friends.
Is As solemn and instructive as the story 70 ten
der and beautiful"
The mud-dobber was al ready. and when tho
second speech was finished. he struck uP;-
ooh. w.'ll all get blind drunk,
Some Of the people gisslej, and soue groanei:
The Snowman couldn 7 say word. lie looked
ut the pianist sharp, but 10 Was al lovely and
serene-as didn't know there was anything out
Of gear. ..r
drummed up his grit and started In ftcsh,-
"Ladies and gentlemen. the 6ne picture now
unfolding itself to your gase, exhibits enc ofthe
most notable events In Bible liistory-our 6av-
ior and his disciples upon the 81 Of Gshlec.
How grand. how swe.inspiring arc the rcf,eo-
tons which the subject invokesi What gublim-
lily Of faith 10 revealed 10 us In this lesson
from the sacred writings! The Saviour rebakes
the angry waves, and walks securely upon the
bosom OF the deepr'
All around they wers whispering-"Ob, how
lovely. how beautiful r. and Ito orchcstra let
himself out again - ~ $1,000
.r 'Ob, life on the ocean vnSs. ,....
And . homo on tho rolling deep.
There was 0 good deal Of h,nest sniekering
turned on this time, and considerable gruaning.
and one or two old deaoons got up and vent out.
The Snowman grated bis teeth and cursed the
piano man 70 himself, but the fellow sat there
like knot on log, and seemed to think no
was doing frst-rate.
After things got quiet, the Snowman thought
he would make one more staggsr ct u, anyhow.
though his confidence was beginning TO get
mighty shaky. Tho supcs startcd the panorama
70 grinding along again, and he ssys,--
'sIhis exquisite picturr, ladies and gentlemen,
illustrates the raising Of L,ssrus from the de,d
By our Saviour. The subject has been handled
with rare ability by the artist. and such touch
ing ,wectns. and tenderness Of expression has
sensitive pcrsous TO be even affected 10 tears by
looking at II. Observe the half.confus~i, half
inquihug look upon the oountenancc Of the
awakened Lazarus. Observe, also. the attitude
and expression Of the ssviour, who takes him
gsntly BY the siesvs Of his shrvd with one
hand. while he points with the other towards the
distant city," r..ra -F...I
Before anybody could get Oh an opinion In
the case, the innocent old - At the piano
struck up 80 .r..-.. .r ..I
gh "Come, riss up. william Ri1-i-ley,
And 20 along With mo ]" ts
Il vss rough on the auiience. you bet. All
the solemu old ases got up In huG 10 20, and
everybody else lsusSei until the windows rat
tied.
The Snowman ~snt down and srsbbsi tho
orchestra, and shook him up, and said:
''Thst let's you out, you know, yoa chcvdsr'
beaded old clam! 90 10 the door-kefper
and get your money, and cut your
stick = vamose the ranch! kdsn and
gentlemen, circumstances over which l have no
uoutroi, compel me prematurely to dismlA"
The Indebtedness Of p. Skinner 4 Co. Of Boz.