Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-10-20
Artemus Ward.

The late Charles F. Browne was great
quiz. He was always puzzlinR people,
and could not help 1t. He talked non
sense with such seriousness, and such en-
tire absence OF anything theatrical in his
manner, that very often he partially I'M
posed on those who knew him best. In
b. p. Hingston's "reminiscences Of Ar.
temus Ward" Just published by Harper
& Brothers, New York, we find this &C
count of his discussion of literary subjects
with lady whom he met on an Ohio
River steamboat:
Among the fairer portion of the paseen.
gers was very retiring, quiet young lady,
who wore spectacles and who appeared 10
have the manners, airs and bearing of one
whose occupation in life was TO impart
her knowledge to others in some college
or seminary that, at least, was the guess
which Artemus and made about her.
We had noticed her early in the after
noon busily engaged in reading About's
story of lie Roi des Montsgnes." As
soon a. supper wss over she resumed her
reading, cutting the leaves of the book
with pocket paper knife as she read on.
By what means my friend contrived an
introduction, am not aware; but found
him in conversation with her when
went to request his company to smoke .
cigar with me and the two military doc
tors.
"Excuse me-" said Artemus. "This
lady was asking me II reGd French. 1t
il serious question, and l was rejecting
whether do"
The lady seemed to he alittle surprised,
and explained to me that she had simply
asked II my friend knew the French Ian.
guage, az she wished to recommend to
him the story she herself had been read
ing during the afternoon.
at is q story about brigands in Greece"
said she "and it IL 30 charmingly pic
turesque that / can almost fancy myself to
be in that classic land. As l read, the
blue skies of Greece seem to be over my
head, and the Egesn sea to be sparkling
In the glorious sunlightp
Then followed question from Artemus,
which I quote a. literally a. can remem-
Der it:
that glorious sunlight in Greece IL consti-
tutional--that is TO say, II early be the
dream of youth-whenever they are So
and you know,I presume, that George
Washington, when young, never told lie
that ID, Greece-in the blue skies, mean.
You understand me, of courses"
Instead of understanding, the lady ap-
pesred to be utterly bewildered- Al first
abe seemed to doubt whether she had
heard distinctly. Then the expression Of
her face indicated that she had suspi.
cion of her not having paid sufficient at-
tention, 30 a. TO ena1le her TO comprehend
the interrogatory.
"Do understand you to say that
George Warrington went to Greece in
his youth ?" she asked. 81 scarcely think
that l perfectly understood you !"
Artemus Ward maintained his gravity,
and proceeded to explain. ..-q,...tgL
81 was about to remark" said he, that,
80 far as Greece 10 concerned, he was more
So"
.More 90 of whati" asked the LADY,
still more perplexed.
"More 20 with regard to It viewed NOR
ally. Because the Egean Is seas
blue sea, which might, If not under those
circumstances parallel instances
very truthfully though but before break
fast-slwsys before the morning meal.
You agree with me, hope" And Arte-
mus smiled and bowed politely.
The LADY, closed her book, laid II on the
table, and, raising her spectacles, 90 as to
enable her to zee better, regarded Arte.
mus WITH amazement The ladies and
eentlemen around who bad overheard the
Conversation. looked at the speaker with
equal sstonishmens Artemus shook his
head mcurnfuliy, and, In adeploring tone
of voice, observed:
sBlue 0reeks--bluo KGeAn brigAnds,
dead before thsir breakfast"