Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1874-11-08
THE LYON COUNTY TIMES
George D. Prentice and Artemus
- - - - Ward. t-F - Ut .

When Artemus Ward, as Charles
+. Browne used to delight to cal
himself, was on his lecturing tour
through the Southwest, he came tc
louisville. The unique streamers
on which the name of Artemus
Ward was borne had each letter at q
different angle from its predecessor.
The ludicrous announcement that he
would :" speak piece" had captur-
ed the whole city, and the tickets had
sold fast enough to crafty the most
inordinate showman's desire. In
due time Artemus himself came,
and at the earliest opportunity he
called upon Geo. D. Prentice.
The Journal Office was then on
Green street, near the post office, and
just at the right at the head of the
stairs was the private apartment of
the great wit, poet and editor. \
quick rap at the door was followed
by the prompt "come in" of the oc-
cupant, and ARENAS Ward stood in
the presence of Mr.. Prentice.
A slight figure dressed in black,
hat in hand, stepped forward, and
they shook hands earnestly.
Brownies sandy hair curled irregu-
larly around well-shaped head,
moderately high forehead, keen
blue eye, nose almost Hebraic in
outline, light sandy moustache,
that only half concealed the well
shaped mouth, a pointed goatee-
such he appeared. Mr.. Prentice,
even less in stature than his visitor,
his feet encased in old slippers, a
well-worn cardigan jacket over his
shoulders, his spectacles pushed back
over his high forehead, his dark eye
keen as a hawk in its glance, and
winning smile on his pleasant face
such was his host. 1t seemed as if,
in that moment of greeting each took,
or tried TO take, the measure Of the
other.
With easy grace Mr.. Prentice
waved his visitor to seat, and the
conversation commenced. At first
it was upon trivial subjects, upon
travelling, the weather, and the time
that he left the neiShboring cities,
and other unimportant matters. FL
nally, like the keen flash of duel
lists blade, came one of Prentice's
witticisms. A natural laugh, a low,
appreciative laugh, and in response
came the answering flash from Ar
temus. From thence it was Z rapid
succession of puns, jokes and quaint
sayings.
With Mr.. Prentice it was cor
ruscation-a perfect shower of bright
gems, even as the glowing steel
upon the sounding anvil, gives out
sparks beneath the ringing hammer.
With Artemus it was slower. The
sayings were witty and quaint, but
there was to be seen the labor of
production. 1t took study--it was
the forging of thought NOT the
lightning flash of genius.
Never during the years of our ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Prentice have
we seen him so happy, so genial and
80 brilliant. He drew Artemus out,
he sounded the range of his capabili-
ties, he weighed him, he measured
the swords Of repartee with him; and
yet by his gracious bearing he reas-
sured him, he made felt that tender
sympathy that he ever manifested
toward youthful talent. Could a
stenographer have been present to
pen-photograph the words as they
dropped from the lips of the two
men, what a wonderful report it
would have been. For two hours
the playful sparring of the intel
lectual giants continued. The rather
slow measured responses of Artemus
gave quaint dryness to his express
sions that was delightful. AT last
the interview came to close.
With a hearty wish for his pros
perity, Mr.. Prentice clasped his
hand and followed him out of the
room. The farewells were spoken,
and Mr.. Prentice returned to the
labors of the editorial chair.