Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-15
HEROMANCE OF A CLOWN.

tO he the "Here we Are, Nr'
Merryman" of To-day - An
Unpublished Chapter of john
nv Patterson's History-A
Story Vouched For.
II not unfrequently happens that the
pampered sons and daughters OF Wealln
determine to forego estaollsheu Poef
tions in society and the ease ana CON-
fort of a lifetime to become ornaments
of the stage and the arena.
Johnny Patterson, the celeDra,eu
Irish humorist now with the Eonuoii
discus, is a near connection OF Lord
Howe's. one of the foremost noblemen
of Ireland, after whom the hiil oil
Howth. a most romantic and plctur-
esoue Young mountain eight miles out,
side of the city of Dublin, is called, and
where Castle Howth is situated. Ills
parents and all his people are honora-
hIv situated in the old country, and feel,
and have for long time felt, highly IN
censed at Johnny's adoption oil the
testers garb for livelihood. The dis
grace over there is thought to be some
thing frightful, an old-fashioned prelu-
dice existing in the minds of the upper
crust against all arenic characters. In
early life Johnny was sent to TRINITY
College. Dublin, to have his intellect
trained and his Uranium crammed WIN
ornamental classic lore. This was, ana
still is. in Ireland considered to be the
"lum tum prOpah Capah. graduate
from old Trinity is thought mt 10 acorn
any drawing-room. After spending
some eighteen months in that venerable
house of learning, and becoming restless
and eager TO see the world, Patterson
one dav eluded the vigilance OF the an
Gent professors, taking French leave,
and straved into the army. lie soon
fired of the humdrum life o! a soldier,
and after writing home and vowlng rel
ormation, it devOlved upon the lniiu-
ence of his family to secure his release:
This was eventually accomplished
through the exertions of the late Lord
Palmerston. an intimate friend OF the
Pattersons of Clare, and Johnny was
once more restored to the family hearth.
He was not destined to remain, how
ever. His rowing disposition and genial
mother wit eminently unsulted HIM Tor
q quiet. unostentatious life imam obscure
rural village, and he painted for pastures
new and more congenial atmosphere.
Johnny, therefore, had no sooner been
comfortably installed again as one OF
numerous family than he made up his
mind to "break out" at the first con-
venient opportunity.
1t was not long before an Opportune
chance arrived. Charles llengler, the
| English Snowman, sent one of his many
| circus companies on n tour through Ire
| land. 1t came along, in due course, TO
! the town where Patterson lived. The
Young aspirant after sawdust fame at
| tended the show, became Infatuated with
the glare and glitter, and resolved at
once to adopt the life of an itincrant
Snowman. He sought out Hengler,
stated his desire, and made an impress
sion. The manager thought he per-
ceived something in the lad, and con-
scented TO take him along. For some
two or three Islands" Master Patterson
was employed in making himself gem
orally useful about the dressing room
and the ring. He worked hard and
slept little, but he liked the excitement
of the existence and manfully stuck to
| il. His invariablc good nature and
quaint sayings earned for him the SOu-
Jriq,td among his companions OF The
Joker" One day he approached lieng'
Ter and in a plaintive, earnest way
begged leave to essay the roll OF the irish
! Clown, a character hitherto unknown
in the ring. They had had English
Dutch and French clowns but
never an Irish clown. The manager
seemed struck with the idea and gave
his consent. Patterson at once made a
| hit His witticisms bore the stamp OF
originality, and his ineXhaustible fund
of humor was real and not assumed.
! For more than five years after, he con-
| tinued the leading clown of Hengler's
| circus, being subsequently transferred
| To the London establishment England,
where the highest people in the land at
| tended. His popularity became at once
established there, and he reigncd as be-
| fore.
Patterson, in time, tired OF England
and determined TO seek new laurels III
the United States. Two years ago he
babe adieu TO the old sod and set sail
for America. Landing here his ability
become at once apparent, and he found
little difficulty in securing an engage
ment with the London circus, with
which organization he has remained
ever since. Patterson is one OF the
most original clowns that ever stepped
into ring, and outside his business he
is warm-hcarted, genial gentleman, Il
stradfast friend to those he likes and an
unwilling enemy to any one.