Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-07-19
SHOWING OFF AN ELOCUTIONIsT.

The Fat Contributor in some recollections
of "Artemas Ward" tells the following good
story:
In the spring of 1859, I accepted a proffered
editorial position on the Cleveland NdtiOndl
Democrat, and renewed my acquaintance with
"Artemas."
On the first evening of my arrival, he volun-
teercd to show me around, very desirable
achievement as l was to fill the position of
city editor. He Showed me around" so sue.
cessfully that, about o'clock in the morning,
l began to feel almCst as much at hume in
Cleveland as though l had lived there all my
days, TO say nothing of nights. "Artemas" in
vited me to share his bed with him for the re-
mainder of the night, and l accepted
Adjoining his room, lodged young profess
or of elocution, who was endeavOring TO es-
tablish school in Cleveland. He was just
starting out in business and was naturally
anxious to propitiatc the press
Lets get the Professor up" said ARENAS,
"and have him recite Tor u.s."
i demonstrated with him, reminded him of
the lateness of the hour, that l wasn't ac-
quainted with the Professor and all that, but
TO no purpose
"de is public man." said Ward, "and pub
lie men are glad to meet members OF the press,
as restaurants are supposed to get up warm
meals at all hours"
He gave Il laundering rap on the door as he
shouted:
"Pr0fessor-r-r'
"Who's there? What you want?" cried a
muffled voice evidently from beneath the bed
clothes, for it was a bitter cold night in Feb
ruary.
ut is I, Brown, of the Plain Dealer" said
Artemas, and nudging me gently in the ribs,
he whispered, "Thatll fetch him. The power
of the press is inyincible. Ii is the Archime-
dean leyer which,"
His remarks were interrupted by the opening
of the door, and could just discover the dim
outline of a shirted form shiverng in the door
way.
''Excuse me for disturbing you, Professor,
said ARENAS, in his blandest manner, but
am anxious TO introduce my friend here, the
new local of the Democrat. He has heard
much of you, and declares positively he CAM
so 10 bed until he hears you elocute"
"Hears me whatY asked the Professor, be-
tween his chattering teeth.
Hears you elocute-recite-decla
derstand ?-specimen of your elocutiOn."
| In vain did the Professor plead the lateness
of the hour, and his fire had gone out Arte-
mas would accept no excuse.
| "Permit me, at least" urged the Professor
40 put ON some clothes and light The gas
"Not at all necessary Eloquence, my dear
hoy, is not dependent on gas Here, "-straight-
ening up chair he had just stumbled over
"get right up in this chair and give us 1.-The
| boy stood on the burning deck" adding in a
side whisper in my ear, The burning deck
will warm him up"
Gently, yet firmly did ARENAS boost the
reluctant Professor upon the chair, protesting
| that no apologies were necessary for his ap-
| pearance, and assuring him that clothes didn't
make the man, although the shiyering disciple
of Demosthenes and Cicero probably thought
clothes would make a man more comfortable
| on such night as that.
| He gave us "Casabianca," with good many
quavers of the voice, as he stood quaking in a
single short, white garment; and then follow.
ed ION Linden when the Sun was low,
'Sword of Bunker HILL" etc, "by particular
request of our friend" as Artemas Ward said
although / was too nearly suffocated with sup
pressed laughter to make even a last dying re-
quest had il been necessary. 1t was too lu-
dicrous to depict the Professor. an indistinct
white object, standing on the chair. "elocu-
ting" as Ward had it, and we sitting on the
| floor holding our sides, while A. w would
family whisper between his pangs of mrth,
"Just hear him."
1t wasn't in Wards heart to have his fun at
the expense of another without recompence
SO next day, remembered, he published
lengthy and entirely serious account OF our