The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-10-11


Perhaps it is the influence of the
climate, perhaps merely the exhilara- |
tion attended upon well-earned litera-
ry fame, but what ever the cause,
quite CERTAIN it remains that Bret
Hapte has recently developed II pen
chant for practical jokes which all the
royalty OF the eight little isle" will
find it difficult to suppress.
Only one American joke can be set
down to the credit of Harte during his
entire sojourn in the United States,
the details of which are as follows
Harte, at one time used to plunder
the people from the rostruln, in athe'
way OF 5O4cent lectures. During Il
trip over the Pennsylvania circuit, he
found himself one evening in a small
town, the very atmosphere of which
was depressing. Turning to the com
mitteeman who awaited on him at
his room in the hotel, Harte said;
"Is this.a healthful climatey'
"Passsbly," responded the commit
teeman.
"What is the mortality Of your
city| u'au.
"UnO day" s ~ srfsa
about one, eh,''@ said Harte.
"Come thia way minute" and he
drew the committeeman into the re-
cess Of the bay window. and then said
10 him:
"Is the man dead for to-dayS I am
going to lecture hore tonight, and it
would q very great relief to me to
know that / could pull through
alive" E-4' '-
But the great london joke of Bret
Hsrte's. which he. perpetrated yester.
day, is now the talk of the town
Dressing himself in the throadbare
frayed, fringed and faded garment,
which would, quite likely, beworn by
cross between . Bohemian jourhalist
and a tramp. Bret Harte visited the
Office OF Labouehere's Truth, and ask
ed to see the eminent journalist. HI
was ushered into the molly of holies
the inner Office of the newspaporia
N. p, and told him that hehad po
EN- which he would be pleased to sell
and asked Mr.. Labouchere 30 look j
over But the famous lance-hurler o
the London press ut first refused Il
glance at the offering but upon Bre
Harte's earnest pleading his immedi
ate need of money, MIR, Laboucher
hastily examined the production
Then he returned it with the re
mark:
81 cannot uso this trash
"Dut my God!" exclaimed Harte, Z"
am starving"
lie looked like one, for his make u
wss superb. az
What doypu,Mant fofitHr waS ask
cd,
''Is it worth a pounde" said Hartc
with an expression indicTing that hi
heart wascrawlng up in the vicinit
oih lsrnyxs sAfsasg Ks9ESgEF T,
"Waata pound. II Is not wort
the pspcr its written on ragged LII
bouchere. "If you want charity,
can give you few shillings, but
would only be beiaccompanied by the ae
vice to The effect that strong, ablc
bodied man Ike you can make nor
money and give loss cause Of ,offens
by sceking employment Mt hop, picl
ing, or shipping before the mast Il
stead of attempting TO worm your wa
into journalism, why did you not joi
Me expedition for the relief of Gel
eral Gordons Who are you an
way?" VI. "a Nv - -ta-
Bret Hsrte," was the answer, I
the major portion OF his disguise WI
removed, and the astonished Laboucl
ere beheld club companion whom |
had known for years. The poer
however, will coon be published !
the world, ard 1t is one Of Harte
greatest efforts. But its introduotic
20 the great world will not be throug
the columns Of London TrVth.-Cf
eago Telegram.