The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-03-22
Good Story Of John e. Owens.

Many years ago John T. Owens
played an engagement in Portland. Me-
Among the plays presented was the
Peoples Lawyer, and il Is almost need
less 10 state that Owens Scion Shingle
took with the Yanksimmensely. Among
the audience one night was an oil farm
er from the rrral districts. who was
himself q perfec, prototype of the good
hearted. garru.ous old bore that Owens
has since made so famous. The old
Granger was accompanied by his bet
ter half, and perfectly insens:bie OF the
fact that he WAS seeing on the stage q
complete picture Of himself as others
saw him, he roared with laughter until
his cachinato-y pesls attracted almost
As much attention as the play. The
next day. while Mr.. Owens was enjoy
ing his otiam cum diqaitate at his hotel,
be was notified that lady and gentle
man wished to see him. John made .
hasty toilet, and descending TO the par
lor Of the establishment found his bu-
collie friends who had SO heartily enjoy
Cd the performance the night before,
making thorough inspection of the
parlor and its furniture. Good morn
ing my friends" said he, Ito what am
l indebted for the honor Of this visit ?"
BE you Mr.. Owins." queried the
male visitor, eyeing the comedian sus-
piciously.
'' have the honor responded Mr..
Owens.
ABE you the chap that acted about
hat be- oh . ha has to- tos
night ?" was the next question.
"As Nathan didn't say unto David, l
ain the man." said John. beginning to
see that he was in tor scene.
"Wall, neow," said the old man,
laughing at the recollection until the
tears came into his eyes. "yeou did that
right up to the handle. Me an my
wife Debby here jest LATED an LATED
until eanamost thought we'd split"
Il am delighted beyond measure"
said the actor swelling with pr 1e at
this honest criticism. ito know that
my humble efforts afforded you so much
pleasure.
oh, don't apologize. don't apologies"
said the ruralist. misiaking Owens
humble thanks for self sbnegation. Il
hain't q bit deown on you play acting
folks an hevnt the least doubt but
yeou can he as respectable as anybody
else. II yeou only try"
Il am delighted beyond measure at
your compliment" retorted the come
dian with trifie Of sarcasm in his tone.
"Oh. it's all right continued the
honest tller of the soil. who, placing
his right hand OIL oi.e Of Johns should
ers. said in a solemn voice. Mr.. Ovens
me and my Debby here, hev come TO see
yeou on a leetle matter of bizness."
"Ah, indeed replied the actor
'laas. was the answer, 1--WE want
to get yeou to larn our boy Hezekiah
the play actin trade"
''Ob. it dosent make bit Of differ
ence.' Clipped in Mrs. Granger. list
yeou larn him heow to cut up them
monkey shines aud we'll pay for the
damage"
John saw that his visitors were really
in earnest, 81 he thought he would car
~ the joke little further. So, assum-
lag II most grandiloquent air. he shot
his cuffs. ran his fingers through his
ambrosial locks. hemmcd and hawed
couple of times and then interrogaied
AS follows
Acting is profession that requires
especial talents aud qualifications In its
devotees. They must combine i'll them
selves nj once the abilities and beauties
Of the poet. the painter and the sculp-
tor. What makes you think your son
would make All actor:"
Wall" said the old man. adjusting
his spectacles just as Solon Shingle does
when he is about to inspect the writing
of John Ellsby, you see sent him to
sknlc for years an years, but he was
too skittish TO larn much. Then tried
10 make a minister outen him. but the
cuss didn't have mite o piety about
him. Then prenticed him To a doc
tor. but instead of larnin heow to make
pills an cure the ager, he spent his
time runnin' ar,er the gals. Then l
hired him eout 10 lawyer. but he spit
the fust case he got into. an meow he's
back on my hands sgain."
We'll, then" said Mr. Owens. depre-
catingly. if hes not fit to be a minister.
a doctor or \ lawyer, why do You think
ell succeed AS on actor ="
Because" responded the Granger,
in the most serious manner, because
he is - sort If kinder natural fool. any
how, and he'll take as kindly 10 the