New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-24
ST. PRTBR's REPLY.
iY2om the Sunday Morning Chrenicle.)
THE DANBERE NEWS MAN.

TIE OANBSkE NEWS NAM
It is an odd fact, and one which we neve,
saw claimed before. that the genuine hu
morists Of our couetry, like the most distin
euished of our statesman. sprang from
Neither George D. Prentice, Charles F
Brown (poor Artemus).. John Squibob
Pbenix, Mark Twain, Billings NOR Doe.
sticks entered the world hourishing silver
spoon. But the latest and BY far the most
striking illustration of the fact we have
noted is presented in the early career and
present standing of 1.-THE Da,stury Neus
man Sal. .-.
Three years ago he was unknown as a
humorist outside of quiet Danbury, and
now his clever and hilarious sketches con-
vulse readers in the furthermost ends OF
our country, or, as the stump speaker says,
he is known from the rock. bound shores
of Maine to the golden sands of the Pacific,
FROM the great lakes to the gulf stream
"out we find the rock bound shores nor the
mighty guilt stream can hedge in his ex-
panding reputation.
In the clubs of London his name chimes
with the click of glasses, and his squibs
ascend with he steaming incense of roast
beef. In the 5as Of Paris, disguised in
grotesque French-fOr he is one Of the few
who bear translation-the heartiness of the
laugh betrays him. In the gardens of Ber-
lin his hits are eandwiched betwixt sips Of
Rhine wine, and for the moment neutralize
the selfasserting od0r of sweitzerkase. s
His humor is original. 1t is simple, and
is not overstrained n Ir far fetched-never
creaks with the mechanism that would be
humorists fail to disguise. He uses plain
English nor calls to his aid bad orthOgraphy.
He never inficts q double play on ex-
changeable words. His wit is the Joyous
soul Of new and well put ekreed, or ends
q sketch Of some remarkable caper in Dan
bury with o r'.twang" that would cause
Wachtel to lay down the whip of the postI--
ion in dismay.
A cloee scanning of all the past and pres
eht bumor which has shook old mother
earth in her orbit clears his skirts Of plagiar-
ism or imitation. Although peculiar and
original, he is alarmingly natural. and you
will often find yourself pondering upon the
spcrtive mixture of grave circumstances
and ludicrOus events in everyday life. The
posturing Of his subjects, chiefly confined
to human nature and homely things and
situations is always within the pale of
probability. And he sustains, himself so
well. draws in such odd combination cf
dignifed fact and droll probability, ending
ali with euch q surprising though natur-
al climax, that you are fairly startled into
q roar, well on It's way long before you are
ready.
James Montgo gomery Bailey, the subject of
our sketch, was born of 'poor, but respect
able parente,' in the good old Dutch city
OF Albany, on the twenty-ffth of Septem-
Der, 1S41. His father, who was builder,
fell with several others from building on
the fourth OF March, 1874, and was instant
ly killed. A few years after his mother
married again, and the family removed to
Rome, New York.
Although it may have a depressing influ-
ence upon the coming generation the truth
must be told: that when young he was
rather wild, and could always be found
with them nasty boys" At an early age
he essayed peddliug apples but not getting
violently rich he. at his mothers urging,
went TO school.
OF his schooldays the writer can recall
but little else than that he contributed
more to the development of the teachers
right arm and the investigation of the rela-
the other scholars combined.
When about fifteen years of age James
attempted the law, but linen coat thwart-
ed his purpose, and prevented his shining
at the bar. 1t seems that the other Office
boy was much smarter at throwing ink,
and more dextrous in avoiding it. The
damaged condition in which James brought
that coat home one night to his sorrowing
mother so depressed her that she withdrew
aim from the bar.
He next turned his attention TO tho gro
;ery business, but a sweet tooth rivaling
lis assiduity, he clerked lat it" only long
enough to tell the lump sugar barrel in the |
lark
lhe grocer at parting kindly gave his |
estimate OF James true value to him, but |
hought he would prove ''lead"to any one |
Who would boil him up or down.
He even went out Of his way to inform
James stepfather that his parting with him
vas very much like parting with the best
part of his stock.
Turning from trade and barter" he |
,lunge into literary pursuits, and wrote a
,ovelC). Another boy, similarly inclined |
% plunge, surreptitiOusly obtained type
rom the Roman Citizen. and cheerfullv con |
racted to publish the work. They reached |
he second chapter, and, owing to the thrill |
ing nature Of the story, were warming up !
% their work when that Roman citizen, in |
,roprla persona, made q descent on the |
house of Bailey L. Co., and |
carried of the entire effects, including the |
'herished manuscripts, in his pocket hand |
lerchief
Thus again was the yearping of his as. |
bring soul diverted from It's true course,
md his future made bowling wilder
less.
The novel was of domestic character,
lbounding in everyday occurrences, such
ls well performed assassinatiOns, and cley-
'rly executed poisoninge; all centering !
lround the most enduring love for that |
'wisest. noblest, and best Of Gods gifts to |
The novel was entitled The Aven-
.er-r-rr,' and was calculated TO make |
rOublo in the literary world
About 1867. young Bailey returned to |
Albany, and lived with his grand parents. |
He again tried his luck in the grocery |
business. His employer proved to be a
more pleasant chap than the Roman, and |
'ecame 80 attached to Jimmy that he took
!im along while going throug gh bankruptcy |
hree months later. Having struck in q |
OFT place, his employer shortly after went |
nto the grain business, and engaged Young
Bailey as clerk.
Admonished by late experience, his EN-.
loyer became fearfully economical, and
tter purchasing a boat load of oats. that
ad been under water, he violently exer-
lsed this new trait in setting James to |
urning fan null, in the top loft of four.
tory building. Having raised the wind
onsiderably, and cleaned out the oats, he
rent home to die, but eventually recovered,
no IN the fall OF 1861, removed to Danbury,
connecticut.
While in Albany, in August, 1860, young
ALLEY first appeared in print. The Cos
ppers Club, of the New York Mercury
ave him this opportunity, and he continue
contributor to the club for . year and
alt after going to Danbury. |
In this, and, indeed, up to 1870, although
r1ung with . free will, there was little or
0 attempt at humor. l e. .L s-f
"A Danbury he worked with his step
fher at carpentering, and in the summer
to52, when work was scarce, he engaged
ith farmer to bind oats at the exasper-
ing rate Of seventy-fve cents per day
One day srficed to fill his soul with the