The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-05-11

the fact that he could enjoy his jokes all
by himself. Usually, for a practical
joke to be success, or to be enjoyable
to the perpetrator, it is necessary that
others besides himself should witness it.
Ward enjoyed his all by himself. c. b.
Bishop, the actor, told us the other day,
an anecdote illustrative of this peculiar
ity of Wards.
''The proprietor of the Moral Wax
Figgers' was lecturing when first met
him." said Bishop. at was in Balti-
more, and John Mccullough introduced
me to him in restaurant one night, as
Ward was taking supper, after deliver
ing his lecture. He and l became on
intimate terms at once. 1t was impossi-
BILE to know the man without loving
him. You felt drawn to him the mo-
ment he spoke to you. There was some
thing gentle and lovable about him that
was indescribable, but that made his ac-
quaintances feel toward him as they
would feel toward n favorite brother. =
Ward and talked together about mu-
tual friends until two o'clock in the
morning. Then he insisted that should
sleep with him at his hotel l made
several excuses because, although en-
joyed his society, could see no reason
for his request. He begged me, and
said that he would consider it great
favor if l would sleep with him, as he
was afraid to sleep alone in the dark. l
thought it rather an eccentric notion,
but / agreed to stay with him.
at was an exceedingly cold night
Wav-I ca III that ba uyanfaI tho ltOhf loft
burning. After we got to bed became
very sleepy, and told Ward, who was
talking great deal, and wandering
from one subject to another, that l
thought we had better 60. to sleep
He said he would 90 to sleep if would
step out and hand him his trousers.
al never can sleep, he said, without
my trousers under my head. 1t soothes
me to think that burglar can't get at
my railroad pass or my pocket comb
without waking Inc up.
He arranged his trousers under his
pillow and kept quiet for about two
minutes. was doing away when he
punched me and asked if was awake
turned around and found him sitting
up in bed, pointing to a silver dollar ly-
ing on each knee of his trousers spread
out before him. He said:
al can't sleep until that light is
turned out. Now, Bishop, want to
toss with you to determine whose duty
it is to get up and put out the light?
Il tossed, lost, and put out the. light.
Then l fixed myself for good sleep. l
just crossed the threshold of the land
of dreams when Ward whispered in my
ear:
"'Say, don't you like to sleep with
your head low? Well then lend me your
pillow, I can't sleep unless my head is
high
"Another drowsy interval of a few
minutes. Bishop; say, Bishop, we are
running our health. Have you not read
Prof. Smith on Sanitary Laws of the
Bedroom. He says that those who
want to live to . good old age must
sleep with their heads toward the North.
Now, feel by the way my blood circu-
lates that we, at this moment, have our
heads pointing in the direction of the
Argentine Republic, and that we are
both Fastening rapidly to the grave. AS
/ don't want to be cut off in the midst
of my usefulness, 1 propose that we turn
with our heads the other way.
1--WE reversed our positions, and /
was again wandering off into vague
dreamland, when l received blow in
the back that awoke me with a start.
81 think, Bishop, you said you did
MT like to lie with your head high, now
/ do, and if its all the same to you,
/ would consider it a favor if you
would give me that bolster you are rest
ing on
IF any other man had worried me in
that way, would have been angry but
no one could be angry ut Ward. If he
had asked me to stand on my head
think | would have considered it a IA
vor to be allowed to do so. I gave him
the bolster and went to sleep with my
head ON my elbow. Twice again my
companion awoke me, the first time to
ask Inc if / was sure it was in sc,
and not in 81, that / made that trip
through Arkansaw. The second time /
awoke, Ward was out of bed and was
putting on his trousers. | began to
think he was insane. His voice seemed
to be choked with emotion as he said
solemnly:
Bishop, there is tide in the affairs
of every man-there is moment when
his whole career in life may be influ-
enced. For me that moment has arriv-
ed. l want you to stand by me.
must see John Mccullough at once. He
is asleep in No. 81. He leaves on the
6 a. m. train. There is no time to be
lost. Secure box of matches and let us
seek his room"
Il put on few clothes, got q box Of
matches off the bureau, and followed
Ward out into the hall. He seemed to
be excited. We passed several rooms,
then turned to the left into dark pass
age. 1t would have seemed very I'M
ique procession to stranger. Artemus
striding rapidly along in his bare feet,
with his suspenders trailing behind,
following, and striking match at ev-
cry door, looking for 81.
''At last we found the room. Ward
pounded on the door with his knuckles;
no answer. You could have heard the
n = n Al l.