The Princeton union., 1881-08-18
vENTR1LoQUIsM.

Have Played.
From an Interview with Prof. Dixon.
who were the greatest ventriloquists?"
"WsQ, there was an old Athenian named
Eurykles, who is spoken of in history as
master of the art. Then there was Prof.
Alexandra and Louis Brabout of modern
times. They were both Frenchman. Bra
bout lived in the fourteenth century. I
believe, and was said to be the best ven.
triloquist the world ever knew. Alexan-
Dire lived at an earlier period, and was noted
more for his minetic powers, than for his
ventriloquial powers. Prof. Love, Of Eng
land, was celebrated in the art, and was
rivaled by Prof Harrington, who died yes
terday in Revere, Mass. Of these living
to-day, Frederick McCabe and E. D. Da-
vies are the greatest. Davies is now re-
tired in Australia, and McCabe has recent
~ signed contract to go there the present
season. Davies was the first ventriloquist
to introduce figures as an assistant to the
artin America.
McCabe was great practical Joker. Sew
eral years ago he was on board Mississip-
pi river steamboat, and forming an acquain-
tance with the engineer, was allowed the
freedom of the engine room. He took a
seat in corner, and, pulling his hat down
over his eyes, appeared to be lost in rev.
erie. Presently a certain part Of the ma
chlnery began to squeak. Ehe engineer
oiled 1t and went about his usual duties. In
the course or few minutes the squeaking
was heard again, and the engineer rushed
over. Oil can in hand, to lubricate the same
spindle Again he returned to his post,
but it was only few miautes until the
same old spindle was squeaking louder than
ever. Great Jupiter he yelled, sthe
things bewitched.' More oil was adminis-
tered, but the engineer began to smell q
rat Pretty soon the spindle began to
squeak again, and slipping up behind Nc
Cabe, the eng;naer suuirted half. pint of
oil d,Nn the joke back: There, said he,
1 guess that ~ inule won't squeak any
more. The JOKE was SO good that McCaoe
could not keep it, and he often tells it with
as uch relish as his auditors receive it.
Az another Jlule McCuue Was confronted
by lighwayman on one Of the lonely
streets OF Cincinnati, as he was returning
to his hotel from moonlight picnic. The
robpe1 presented cooked revolver at the
ventrlloquist,s head, demanding his money
or his lite. McCabe's quick wit saved him.
H. threw his voice behind the robber, ex-
claiming: Hold, villain, you are my pris-
oner! The frightened scamp turned his
b ad, and McCabe dealt him blow that
felle | him to the ground. He then secur ed
the revolver and marched the scoundrel to
u police station.
Louis Brabout, the great French ven
trlloqulst, was also great Joker. The story
is told of him that he fell in love with q
beautiful young novitiat who was soon to
take the veil. The sentiment was returned.
and Brabout arranged for an elopement
His inamorata succeeded in getting outside
of the convent walls, and the two hurried
away to the house of neighborlng priest
The holy man was awakened and request
ed to perform the marriage ceremony. His
refusal was thing to be expected, but Bra
bout was too cunning for the old man.
When he said mo! most emphatically. and
was about to 1aise commotion and have
the novltiate returned to the cloister, deep
sepulchral voice was heard coming from the
bowels of the earth It said:
am thy father and am still in torment.
NJ rry this couple to each other, and my
probation in purgatory will be over. >"
The frightened priest called upon all
the saints 10 protect Lin, and proceeded tc
perform that ceremony with greater alaclity
tnan he had ever done on q similar occas-
1 ION
DO you ever play jokes?"
OF often. l am not given to such
sports as general thing, but occasionally
aAAueo 1up6o4 Ut the expense OF others.
Lust year was travelling with musical
combination. One day while riding on the
CATS l threw my voice INTO covered bas-
ket and set up furious barking like a dog.
lhe lady beside whom the basket was sit
ting gave scream and bounded out of the
se't Then made cat join in with the
70 Y. and brakeman came running pell
nell to quiet the disturbance. He jerked
the lid of the basket, and found nothing
but lot Of delicious peaches the lady was
taking home. TAe crowd was considerably
M, ,stlhed. Then set humble bee buzz
IN about the breakman' s ear and he retreat
ed. gentleman who was standing near
heard wolf growl SO feroicously benind
him that he jumped about two feet high.
Tnen the }aiy was led to believe that
mouse's nest had found lodgment in her
! pocket. and the circus was complete. But
don't believe much in such capers, and
generally forego the fun might have if I
felt disposed"
Married, at Reno, New, on the 18th
Instant, Alfred Mullen to Mrs. Alfred Null
len. According to the Reno Gazette this
is second marriage and the end Of Ha-
eel Kirke romance. Mr.. Mullen and Miss
Selma Davis were married before the lady
attained the legal age Of eighteen. TIE
106vso no ronky