Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1884-04-25
BEEcnEa,s DOUBLE.
The Trick Which a Managerial Gen.
ueman once Played.
II stout Gentleman IN a swallow.
Tail and White thokern-
How an audience
Nere F0oled,
r~p. ~ in chicago News.y

''NNii a. 81 '~a"Spt tSiiSi manly, WIKI,
IN fact that eminent divine was at
Boston, it brought TO mind similar
and somewhat more ludlerous event
thai occurred years Size at Washington
City.
John Pernberton Smith is manag
cnal.gentleman, not only remarkably
clever III his business, but possessed of
sence of fun caught from Artemus
Wark, whose agent he was when he
first tried the sort of thing from which
he has since made fortune. John P
found himself, at the national capital,
with an atuhction that he made draw
through judiciouS advertising, as
John p. is wont to do. Henry Ward
happened there at the same time, and
the agent seized on him as an adver-
Using medium. To this end he had
it announced that on certain night
the pope OF Brooklyn would be in at
tendance at the theatre.
The Rev Beecher was more of a
curiosity then to the people than he is
now, and the fact that he sometimes
dropped in upon a theatrical entertain
nlent was not only unthough of, but
ecouted at as something OF an inpossi-
bility. 1t created no little excitement,
and seats were sold until not even STAN
ding-room was lett
OF course the enterprising agent had
no thought of Beecher's responding in
person nevertheless he had the cheek
to call and express his sorrow-he
might say his deep grie.-ihat such a
report should find its way INTO print.
II saw the announcement" said
Beecher, good naturally, "of what |
was going to do, and it is SO harmless,
in comparison with what the papers
assert that have been doing, that |
feel quite relieved
"If, Mr.. Beecher," exclaimed John
p, emboldened by his reception, 'you
would like to see an artistic perform
ance OF the iarest dramatic excellence,
shall be glad to put box at your dis
posal."
"My dear SIR" responded Henry
Ward. "wile consider good drama
tic performance harmless, fear | shall
wave to take mine as Lincoln's preach
did his whisky, a little unbeknownst. !
am much obliged, but Won will have to
excuse me-"
II am very sory-I will have the
announcement corrected.
"Pray don't" cried the eminent
divine. II have observed that the
contradiction in price is generally an
aggravatlon ofthe original charge"
John Pemberton Smith bowed him
self out, so far SO good; but what 70 dc
with the audience the announce lent
had called together? He ran against
John Chamberlain, then making his
first appearance at Washington. Ar
idea stuck John ?.
"John, my dear boy" he exclaimed
II want you. ! have box for you to
night. Come and see US, and fetch
two or more Of the gentlemen | saw al
your house last night"
John Chamberlain graciously accept
cd and that night the crowded house
saw a stout gentleman in a swallow
tail and white choker, setting forth z
smooth, round face enter the Beechel
box, accompanied by three solemn ap.
pearing gentlemen offaultless attire.
It's difficult for mixed crowd o.
common citizens to distinguish by
dress and manner the gay gamboleer
from the minister. They dress alike
serious and digni6ed in manner. The
deception was success, and John
Pemberton S. amused himself ming.
ling with the crowd and listening to
their remarks.
"That's the old coon himself, Ell g.
said one. Dwell. he has an open
counIenance. Looks as if it might be
forced in"
CANT he innocent, now?" said an
other. Looks as eff butter wouldn't
melt in his mouth et he was sot on a
hot stove
"He's bin thar" was the response. "
THAT Beecher :" snorted a youth.
with a good deal of summer sunset on
his nose. "You be id! that's John
Chamberlain"
oh! unreef your front garment,
young man." was the response. "You
can't come that-you don't know a
Beecher when you see it"
''No but | know a Chamberlain
when see him; cost me enough, ]
should think
An alteration followed that ended
in the red-nosed youth being elected
by an efficient police.
Chamberlain was puzzled, but felt
fattered by the attention gwen him.
At the end of the first act the house
saw the clerical gentlemen rise as if
moved by a crank, so unanimously
was the rise, anu leave the box. John
P. had anticipated this regular adjourn
ment to "see man." and met the
party ere it gained the lobby.
"Chamberlain," he said, Il want TO
make you acquainted with some ofmy
company. Bring your friends" They
were hurried behind the scenes, where
bottle OF champagne and some bright
smiles made the meeting delightful
And so the affair passed off smoothly
till the programme was over, when
Chamberlain, moving out with the
crowd was irritated by the impudent
way in which he was surrounded and