The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-13
VentrilOquisn,.
"Who are tho greatest ventriloqnists9"

A'"iiio,' 1aut hicS, VIII ID S)oKcll Ol LII nlb-
tory rs master Of the art. Then thero
were Professor Alexandra and Louis
Brabout Of modern times. They were
both Frenchmen. Brabout lived in tho
fourteenth century, believe, and was
said to be the best vontriloquist the
world ever knew. Alexandra lived
at an earlier period, and was noted moro
for his mimotic representations than for
his ventriloquial powers. Professor
Love, of England, WAS celebrated in tho
art, and was rivaled by Professor Har-
rington, who died recently in Revere,
Massachusetts. Of those living to-day,
Frederick McCabe md T.. D. Davies,
are the greatest. Davies is now retired
i'll Australia, and McCabc has recently
signed n contract to go there the present
season. Davies was the first ventrilo-
quist to introduce "fgures," rs an assis-
tant to the art in America.
"McCabe was great practical joker.
Several years ago he was Oh board n
Mississippi river steamboat, and form
ing an acquaintance with the engineer,
was allowed the freedom of the ongine
room. He took seat in the corner and
pulling his hat over his eyes, appeared
lost reverie. Presently certain 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 tho snme spindle.
Again he returned to his post, but it
was only few minutes until the same
old spindle was squeaking louder than
ever. "Grcat Jupiter |" he yelled, the
things bewitched. More oil was ad-
ministered, but tho engineer began to
smell rat. Pretty soon tho spindle
squeaked again, and slipping up behind
McCabe the engineer squirted half
pint of oil down the joker's back. There
said he, Il guess that spindle won't
squeak any more 7 The joke was so good
that McCabe could not keep it. and he
often tells it with as much relish rs his
auditors receive it.
cat another time McCabe was con-
fronted by n highwayman, Oh one of tho
lonely streets in Cincinnati, as he was
returning to his hotel from moon light
picnic, Tho robber presented cooked
revolver to the vcntriloquist's head de-
manding his money or his life. McCabe's
quick wit saved him. He throw his voice
behind the robber, exclaiming: Hold,
villain, You arc my prisoner The
frightened scamp turned his head, and
McCabc dealt him blow that folled
him to the ground. He then secured
tho revolver and marched the sconndrel
to police station.
"Louis Brabout, tho great French
ventriloquist, was also great joker. The
story is told of him that he fell in love
with beautiful young noyitiate who
was soon to take the veil. The senti-
ment was returned, and Brabout arrang-
ed for an elopemcnt. His inamorata sue
ceeded in getting outside tho convent
wall, and tlle two hurried away to the
house of a noighboring priest. The holy
man was awakened and requested to per-
form the marriage ceremony. His refusal
was thing to be expected, but Brabout
was too cunning for tho old man. When
he said mo ! most emphatically, and
was about to raise a commotion and the
novitiaty returned to the cloistcr, deep
sepulchral voice was heard coming from
the bowels Of tho earth. 1t said:
"I am thy father and am still in tor
ment. Marry this couple, and my pro-
baton in purgatory will bo over.
"The frightened priest called upon all
saints to protect him, and proceeded to
perform that ceremony with greater
alacrity than he had over shown on SINH
lar occasions.
"Do you ever play jokes q
"Not often. I am not given to such
sport as general thing, but OCCASION
ally I amuse myself at the expense Of
others. Last year was travelling with
a musical combination. One day while
riding Oh the cars I threw my voice into
n covered basket and set up n furious
barking like dog. The lady beside
whom the basket was sitting gave a
scream and bounded out of the seat.
Then made cat join in with the row,
and brakeman came running poll-mell
to quiet the disturbance. He jerked tho
lid off tho basket, and found nothing but
lot Of delicious peaches tho lady was
taking home. The crowd was consider
ably mystided. Then set q br,mble-
bee buzzing about the brakeman's ears
and no retreated. A gentleman who was
standing near heard n wolf growl SO
ferociously behind him that he jumped
about two feet high. Then the lady
was led to believe that mouses nest
had found lodgment in her pocket, and
the circus was complete. But + don't
believe much in such capers, and gen.
orally forego the fun 7 might have if I