The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-15
Josh Billings Interviewed.
Saratoga Correspondence N. Y. Com. Advertise
NV old friasal LII DILL. a,a,a;.

Josh Billings Interviewed.
Saratoga Correspondence N. Y. Com. Advertiser.
My old friend Josh Billings arrived
yesterday, and it did me good to get
away from the Clarendon to have a
good square old religious talk with him.
10 be frank, I'm sick of being arsto-
cratic. Josh Billings is kuss, and
like to be with him. He had just fin.
lshed another book, and Carleton won't
publish it. He's afraid his old custo-
mers will get it and laugh themselves
to death. Josh and l adjourned over to
an old room at Congress Hall, and we
had long talk about the infallibility of
the church, our old friends Artemus
Ward, John Phoenix, Mark Twain, and
Mr.. Shillaber. Josh is as young and as
fresh as he was twenty years ago. His
hair hangs in court train over his shirt
collar. 1t is sprinkled with gray, but
the old fire is up in his eye. l asked
him good many questions. and / give
you his answers. Like General Sher-
man, he answers as short and quick as
streak of chain lightning. He hand
ed me a Partaga III when | com.
menced:
Mr.. Billings, where were you edu.
Cated!"
"Pordunk, Pennsylvania"
How old are your
- | was born one hundred and fifty
years old, and have been growing young
ever since"
''Are you married? p
"Once."
" How many children have you ?"
- Doublets."
What did you come to Saratoga
for ~
" l kant tell. Kin your"
What other vices have you ?"
None"
" Have you any virtues?"
; " Several"
what are they?"
" | left them in New York"
. Do yor: gamble p
- When feel good"
" What is your profession ?"
agriculture and alminaxing."
What do you think Of an inter
viewer?'
Hes little worse than an organ
grinder"
/" How do you account for your de-
ficlent knowledge in spelling?"
I" Bad spelling during infancy, and
poor memory"
"Wbat things are you the most liable
to forget?'
- Sermons and debts"
What professions do you like best?"
Auctioneering, base ball and theolo-
gy."
" Do you smoke?'
"Thank you, I'll take a Partaga
first
"What is your worst habit %
" The coat got last in Poughkeep-
SIZE"
What do you think Of Grant p
" am in favor of the present admin
istration."
"What are your favorite books?"
"My alminack and peck book"
What is your favorite piece of sculp-
ture?"
The mile stone nearest home"
What is your favorte animal ~
"The MULE
"Why?"
" Because he never blunders with his
heels"
What was the best thing said by our
old friend ARENAS Ward?'
" All the pretty girls IN Utah marry
young"
What do you think of the San Do
mingo question ?"
"If it don't interfere with the Santa
Cruz (rum) question I'm in favor of it."
Z" What do you think of the Indian
question:
" think all good Injuns die young"
do you believe in the final salvation
of all men?'
." do-let me pick the men -
The dinner hour now arrived, and we
adjourned to special course of wood
cock and black bass, furnished in pr.
vate room in Congress Hall. After din.
ner Josh reviewed my interview, and
pronounced it faithfully rendered. He
wished to add only that Mr.. Appleton,
who publishes his alminax, has one of
the most immense intellects Of this or
any other century. We dine at Meyers
on Saturday, when l will send you the
dinner epiCram.n