Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-02-22
"ARTEMUs WARD"

49, ~"' I"Pacu W auo . ieu W ny OWE
rccollections.
first met him in Cleveland. Ohio. ir
the Spring Of 1853. l was then connec
ted with Buffalo paper. and Charley
Brown. as everybody called him who kne v
h,m in those days. was ..loesl" of th.
Cleveland Piaindealrr. 3 position which
he had then held but few months. IL
had then written some sketches over tho
nom de plume Of "Artemus Ward. tn.
Snowman" but. up TO that time. nothing
attracted much attention, though his wit.
ty local columns had been the delight o.
bis Cleveland readers.
On my arrival in Cleveland I .cslled a
the fisfHdeafey ONCE and inquired for III,
editor. Mr.. Grey. to whom l bore a letter
OF introduction. A tall. slender young
man, Of about twenty four years, with :
smooth. thin face. whose prominent fea
ture was high Roman nose and very
light hair that persisted in sticking straight
out in all directions. stepped forward and
received me with winning and unaffected
cordiality, in the absence Of Mr. Grey,
introducing himself as the associate editor
Mr.. Brown. The gravity OF his countc-
nance. when speaking, was relieved by
the twinkle of the merriest Of blue eyes
He had n way Of saying very funny things,
as IT they were solemn. If not melancholy
facts. which puzzled me much until came
10 know him.
Walking along Superior street together
shortly after our introduction, we passed
n diIapidatcd specimen Of humanity, who
had "vagabond" written all over him.
Now. sir" said Artcmus. with a look
of mingled disgust and pity, as he point.
ed to the miserable fellow, "you wouldu',
think that wrctched being was at this mo-
mcnt the wcal,hicst man in Cleveland =
mo" said I, looking at The man with
some interest.
"Well. he isn't returned Artcmus,
with comical pucker Of the mouth, while
his eyes laughed consumcdly.
i, WASH, much Of joke. but it serve:
to illustrate one of his well known poculi-
aritics. f'nduess for playing" people,
which grew upon him as his years advan-
ccd
The first letter OF Artcmus War,l's that
was generally copied. was his laughabe
account Of 'Baliinsville" celebrating the
laying Of the Atlantic cable. This was
printed in the P'ainiea'er. in the Fall Of
1858. His next successful effort. printed
shortly after, was descriptive Of his visi,
to the Free Lovers of Berlin Hights. In
that letter he first emhcllished American
literature with the significant word '.sush. y
. she was swete, gushin' child OF na-
tur'. said her mother.
{" Let her gush.' l roared, loud as
could holler.
In the Spring of 1859 accepted prof.
fercd editorial position on the Cleveland
National Democrat. and renewed my nc.
quaintance with Artemus.
On the first evening of nv arrival he
volunteered to show me around-make me
acquainted with the city-a very desira.
bile achievement, rs was to fill the posi-.
ton "f city editor lie showed m,
round so successfully that about two
o'clock IN the morning began to feel al
most as much at home in Cleveland n.
though had lived in Cleveland all nv
days. to say nothing of my nights. Ar.
| temus invited me to share his bed with
him for the remainder Of the night, and
accepted.
Adjoining his room lodged young rro
fessor of elocu,ion who was cndeavorin.
TO establish a school in Cleveland. ri,
was just starting out in business. and wa
naturally anxious to propitiate the press
Lets get the professor up" said Arte
mus. '.and have him recite for us"
l demonstrated with him. reminded hin
Of the latcness of the hour. that I WASH
acquainted with the professor. aud all that
but to no purpose.
Hes public man. said Ward. "ant
public men are glad to meet members o
she press. as restaurants are supposed Il
get up warm meals at all hours"
He gave laundering rap on the door
as he shouted
"Profcssor-r-r
who's there? What yer want ?" crict
muffied voice. evidently from beneath
the bedciothes, for il was 4 bitter cold
night in February.
1T IS i-Brown Of the Plaipdeoler. v
said Artemus. and, nudging me gently in
the rips, he whispered '.Thatll fc,cl
him. The power Of the press is invinci
BILE. 1t is the Archimedean lever which,
His remarks were interrupted by the
opening Of the door. aud could jus, dis.
cern the dim outline OF q shirted form
shivering in the DOORWAY.
''Excnsc me for disturbing you. PRO
fessor." said Artemus, in his blandes
manner. ''hut ! am anxious to Introduce
my friend here, the new local of the Dem.
oerr't. He has heard much Of yoa. and
declares positively tha, he canno, 20 ,c
bed till he hears YOU elocutc."
Hears Gs what T. asked the proses
sor. between his chassering teeth.
Hears you elocu'e-rcei,c- rce;te-
deeiaia-undcrs,aad Specimen. Of you,
elocu,ion ?"
In vain did the professor plead the late
! ness Of the hcsr. and his Gre had ron,
out. Artemus would accep, no excuse
"Pcrmit me, at least" urged the pso
fessor. Ito put on some clothes and lish
the gas"
Not n, all necessary. Eloquenee. m
dear boy. is nos dependent 90 gas. Here
straightening mp chair he bad Just stun
hsed over. get right ap in this chair ana
and give us the The ko~ xfnssl -. IL.