Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-15
Lutte Taylor on stammering.

Milwaukee Sentinel what ke knows about
stsmmeripg. He is of opinion that he
knows all about it. and we guess be does.
He is no amateur sufferer. As the ar
tce is too lengthy for our columns, we
reproduce only the following which is
of local interest:
IN the summer Of 1857 was publish
ing the Journal at River Falls in this
state, and then. and for some years after,
there was in that town q delegation of as
active aud reliable stammerers as | have
ever known. There were FIVE of u.s.
First, there was VIM J McMasters, then
foreman of the Journal, now one of the
editors and proprelors of the Lake City
Leader, and then as now. one of the
purest, kindliest and best men whom |
have ever known. Mac did not seem to
like TO stsmmer. There was an apollo
getic air about bis performance, rs if
asking pardon for annoying his hearers
Mac was TIE best foreman | ever had,
because it was known that the editor
stammered, and whenever | was away
and Mac was in charge, be could gill the
whole bill. Then there was DR.. ID. II.
Levings, now resident there. | have
known him from boyhood and have no
hesitation in vouching for him as star
stammerer. In conversation he works
everything about his face but bis voice,
and docs everything but talk. He has a
wonderful facility for distorting his fea
lures while wrestling with words, and is
perfect success at what the theatre PEG
pie call "muggist." He looks NAL
when stammering, but he is not. 1t is
bis way. Mr.. Henry X. White was also
a very competent and steady stanmerer.
He put less emotion into the business
than the others, but he was more even
and reliable, and could always be depend
ed upon to work very bard in order 10
say a very little. These were all men Of
high character (like myself but the other
one, Nat. Hammer, was careless, Jolly,
irreverent, and uuregenerate youth. He
was plasterer by trade, and bis highest
ambition was TO make his mortar stick as
well as his tongue. But Nat, with good
many Of the symptoms of vagabond,
developed molly afterwards, when the
war broke out, and showed that, like Jim
Bludso, he had heroic qualities in him.
Many amusing .incideDts occurred
among us, but | will relate but one
In 1859, Mr.. Levings was director of
the school district and | was clerk. One
day in early autumn. when WAS partic
ularly Busy in my office, young man
named George w. Witherell came to me
and wished to engage to teach the school
during the coming winter. did moi
like his appearance, and had no idea of
hiring him, and SO told him he had bet
ter see the director. He asked me to
accompany him, but | excused myself on
account of my urgent business. He
persisted in his request until was fairly
obliged 10 comply, and. in no very good
humor, | started with him for Mr.. Lev
ings's house, about one third of mile
distant. l had been showing him some
Of my best specimens OF stammering.
and when near the house | remarked that
he might have observed that | had
hesitation in my speech. He said he had
observed it. i told him | was afflicted
that way, but Mr.. Lesings WAS very
rapid taker and between US we averaged
good time. We found him painting his
house; he came down the IA lder, and |
introduced him, making fearful work 0:
the job.
''Mr. Lc lie Levings, let me &C &c &C
let me &C acquniut you with Mr.. w Wi
With with Mr. With With nberell."
Leyings look at him; then looked al
me, and began:
"Wh VIII VIII aVhat ia a anne did you
saaay?"
He wrestled fearfuly with that first
word 'what" The contortions of his
mouth were frightful to Withereii ami
amusing to me. Mr.. Withereli did not
get the school ! think lie was resigned !;
don't think he wanted ii much after we
had stopped talking to him, hut l had
my revenge OH him for taking me from
my work.
WHAT Is AN EDIroR?-Some one an