The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-08-20
Ventriioauisnn.

quists?"
swell, there was an old Athenian
named Eurykles, who is spoken of in
history as master of the art. Then there
were Professors Alexandra and Louis
Brabout of modern times. They were
both Frenchmen. Brabout lived in the
fourteenth century, l believe, and was
said to be the best yentriloquist the
world ever knew. Alexandra lived at an
earlier period, and was noted more for
his mimetic representations than for his
ventriloquial powers. Prof. Love, OF
England, was celebrated in the art, and
was rivaled by Prof. Harrington, who
died recently in Revere, Mass. OF those
living to-day, Frederick McCabe and +.
D. Davies are the greatest. Davies Is
now retired in Australia, and McCabe
has recently signed a contract to 60
there the present season. Davies was
the first ventriloquist to introduce
figures as an assistant to the art in
America.
"McCabe was great practical joker.
Several years ago he was on board a
Mississippi River steamboat, and, form
ing an acquaintance with the engineer,
was allowed the freedom of the engine
room. He took seat in the corner,
and pulling his hat over his eyes, ap-
peared lost in reverie. Presently q Ger.
tain part of the machinery began to
squeak. The engineer oiled it and went
about his usual duties. In the course Of
. 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 q few minutes until the
same old spindle was squeaking louder
than ever. Great Jupiter!' he yelled,
'the things bewitched.' More oil was
administered, hnt the engineer began to
smell q tat.s Pretty soon the spindle
squeakeflagdns and slipping up behind !
McCabs the engineer squirted a hall
pint of oil down the, joker's back:
There, said he, Il guess that spindle
won't squeak any morer The Joke W.
20 good that McCabe could not keep it,
and be often tells it with as much pelbh
AS his audience receive it.
| cat another time AlcCabe was con
fronted BY hlghwsyman, on one o.
the lonely streets of Cincinnati, IS hi
was returning to his hotel from moon
light picnic. The robber presented, 8
cooked revolver to the ventriloquist'E
head, demanding his money or his life
McCabe's quick wit saved him. HI
threw his voice behind the robber, ex
claiming: Hold, villain, you are my
prisoner!' The frightened scamp turned
his head, and McCabe dealt hin . blow
that felled him to the ground. BE thel
secured the revolver and msyehed tn
scoundrel to the police station.
+ "Louis Brabout, the great Frencl
ventriloquist, was also great joker
The story is told of him that he fell il
love with . beautiful young novitiate VIII
was soon.to take the veil. The sent
ment was returned, and Brabout az
ranged for an elopement. His inamo
rata succeeded in getting outside tn
4 convent wall, and the two hurried ava
to tho house Of q neighboring priest
The holy man was awakened and n
quested to perform the marriage cert
mony, iHB refusal was. q thing to b
expected, but Brabout was too cunnin
fof the Old man. When he said No!
most emphatically, and was about t
d raise q commotion and have the nov
tate returned to; the cloister, q dee
sepulchral voice was heard comm
from the bowels of the earth. 1t said
ss'I am thy father and am still in to-
ment. Marry this couple and my pr
baton in purgatory will be over
! "The.frightsnsd priest called upon
the saints to protect him, and proceede
;, 10 perform that ceremony with grBatt
alacrity than he had ever shown on sin
liar occasions" 5a# t'r., -i1,ea*
"Do You ever play jokes?"
"Not often. l am not given to sue
sport a. . general thing, but occasio,
, ally amnseE myself at the expense Of OF
err. Last yeatI was travelling with
musical combination. One day viii
riding On The cars I threw my voice int
q covered basket and set up furiot
7 barking like . dog. The lady besid
whom the basket was sitting gave
] scream and bounced out of the seat. |,