The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-20


 in this city by two brothers, Stephens, brilliantly for while under literary and artistic genius, but finally fickered and was likely to expire. The editorship was offered to me, but saw plainly could do nothing with it. said:
 There are only two men in this country who can do you any good. One is John C. Sake and the other Artemus Ward. ;" At that time believed this to be his real name. Sake you can't have, for he is about to run for governor of Vermont, so you'd better get hold of MT. Ward as quickly as you can"
 My advice was needed, and was asked if would write to Artemus and learn his views. did so to Cleveland, O., and made him the distinct offer of coming to New York on salary of $3o per week, and an increase on the success of the paper. He was prompt arriving in New York almost as soon as his letter of ac- ceptance. He afterwards told me tn at he was getting but SIo per week on the Plain Dealer, and assumed the editorial chair of Haaity Fair but salt could not save the paper, notwithstanding it's genuine merit. The American public does not wan refined wit, though. since that time they have been partially edu- cated up to it; they want -hroad hnmor and personal allusion. Punch never did sell in this country, and if we want any, thing outside of daily paper it must be cheap and great deal of it. Witness our so-called literary papers, eight large pages, running six continued stories, for five cents.
 When Family Faiy was sure to go down Artemus was very Respondent. What should he do? One day walking up Broadway said to him, "Charley, why don't you lecture3" Lecture Why the idea was absurd. He could write, but he could not talk; he was not able to get up and say ten lines on an emer- gency. soon talked him out of that by telling him that he could read his lecture or commit 1t to memory. That point settled, now what should be his subject !? At that time the canard of the Twenty seventh street ghost was in full blast, and l suggested ghosts as subject, knowing that whatever he wrote he would make it funny, and before we parted it was agreed that he should write what he could on this subject, and on the next evening come down to Pfaff's, the noted Bohe milan resort on Broadway above Bleecker street, and read it to the party that as- sembled there every night.
 This programme was carried out, and Artemus duly appeared with what he called "A Lecture About Ghosts" and read it amid uproarious approval, the main fun of which was that there was not a word in it about ghosts, and 1t was settled on all sides that it must be brought before the public. But how? There was an actor and occasional man. ager at that time playing general utility at Wallacks theatre, the elder of the name, on B. oadway near Broome street, whose name was De Walden. went to De Walden, whom l knew, and talked Artemus to him. He saw it and an in- troduction followed. De Walden worked assiduously, and the entire press helped him. Everybody was the friend of Arte- mus, for more genial, jovial, liberal man did not live. Alas for himself. De Walden took Niblo's saloon, now the dining room of the Metropolitan, for one night, with the privilege of six They ran the six nights, crammed to the doors, and doubt if ever audiences laughed before or since as they laughed that week. The financial result to Artemus was Sl,28o and Artemus was jubilant. From that hour his course was one unin- terrupted of success, and lecture after lecture followed each one greater than the preceding, and fortune flowed into the pockets of Artemus.
 How many genial and liberal traits and acts l could relate of him, one only of which shall come to the surface There are many who will remember Ned Mullen, the kind-hearted and unfortunate Ned, the Tenniel of America. He lay sick, dying, at St. Vincents Hospital, and few of his friends undertook to raise some money for him. Artists and authors are not apt to be everburdened with cash, and SO the filthy lucre" poured slowly in. In this emergency went to Arte- mus, who was then giving his lecture on the Mormons at Dodworth's hall, and who had known Mullen we'll, and stated the case. Certainly ! Certainly 1" said Artemus, crowding his hand into his pocket, while visions of ten. or perhaps twenty ran through my head. :" How much do you want2" That was a pug zler, but said, Whatever you please, My boy" He took his hand slowly out of his pocket and said thoughtfully:
 guess I'll give him night, say 
 l was astounded and the night was given, putting $26o into poor Mullen's depleted pouch and no public mention of the affair.
 The last time saw Artemus was a very short time before his departure for England. He was doing the humorous at the Washington theatre. went to his dressing room, and found him with the usual necessity" he called it. We had only time to say few words when he was called. He threw his arms about my neck, kissed me with a laugh, and ran. listened to him through the evening and roared with a thousand others, but we never spoke again.
 hold in my possession one of the most comprehensive deadhead tickets perhaps