The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-11-12
PHILIP II. WELCH.

The subject Of the above illustration is
known as the "Queer Wrinkle" man of The
New York Sun. Mr.. Welch was born in
Angelica, Allegany county, N. Y, in 1S49,
and now at the age of 81 years, and after but
five years of journalistic service, is at the
head of his special line of work. He was
commercially educated and for twelve years
was connected with the hardware business in
New York, eight years of which time were
spent as a commercial traveller through the
west and south. His entry into Journalism
was through the last door by which funny
man is looked for-that of plain dry statis-
tics. Leaving New York through business
changes, he located in Oil City, Pa, and
thence quite by chance sent oil market re-
ports to Bradstreets One or two other brief
connections with newspapers followed till
the fall of 49, But a little over
year from. the time his maiden
manuscript was printed Mr.. Welch went on
tho Rochester Post Express as associate edi-
tor. Here he developed his gift for humor-
Gus writing. In short time "The Present
Hour" department of the Post Express began
to be largely quoted by the press. In Sep
tember, 1888, the Philadelphia Call wanted
and got him. He became member Of the
initial staff of that paper, and from the first
issue its Accidentally Overheard column
was widely recognized. A few months later,
in the June following, the transfer to The New
York Sun was made, since which time his
.Queer Wrinkles" have achieved national
reputation.
Mr.. Welch's hunaor has fine, dry favor,
and the chestnut bell is rarely rung in his
face. His work Is characterized by touch
of human nature which alevates it above mere
joking and gives it more than transitory ef-
feet. He possesses to remarkable degree the
quality of conciseness of expression and
leaves enough to the imagination of his
reader to pay him the subtle compliment of
penetration. 's
For something over year MIR. Welch had
been troubled with cancer Of the tongue, and
was finally compelled to undergo a severe
surgical operation. The greater part of his
tongue was taken out. The operation was
successfully performed last July, and while
his speech is somewhat impaired he can make
himself plainly understood ....-.. ~.
The following are u few of Mr.. Welch's
paragraphs that have been published by The
New York Sun:
A CAREFUL HOUSEWIFE
A woman was in a grocery store looking at
roller pins.
"You may give me two Of them" she said.
1.-TWO of themF' queried the clerk.
"Yes. want to keep one of them clean
for bread.
TWO OF KIND.
A slim youth, accompanied by pug dog
and chain attachment, met young lady on
Fifth avenue whom he knew. He walked by
her side until her residence was gained, when
she invited him in. . ...
"Aw-thawnks awfully; much pleased Pm
suah," he said; "but-er-the dog, y'kn,w
"Oh, the dog won't make the slightest
difference. Dear little fellow. Mamma will
be glad to see you both"
FORTUNATE FOR GEORGE
"Do love George" unused Clara softly,
"or is it simply sisters affection that l feel
for" Fszs[--.. I'D. III -...-te F..e.
Just then Bobby burst noiselessly into the
room and interrupted her sweet meditations
"Get out of here, you little brat!" she
shouted, and seizing him by the arm shot him
through the door, assi Es-
"Ah, no." she sighed, as she resumed her
interrupted train of thought, "my love for
George is not sisters love- It is something
sweeter, purer, higher and helier.n
ia ANXIOUS TO DE ENTERTAINED. sz
Bobby Ito young Featherly, who is making
an evening caID-Will you speak a little
French for me before you 60, Mr.. Featherlys
Featherly srnihng, Bobby, if
you wish it. a-o.z9s +--+-3
Bobby do. Ma says Your French isvery
amusing. -ss { ..-yarfsa4yE 5..
An interesting point about Mr. Welch's
work is that he is paid by the piece for it,
his pay being from s. to S3 per iteni-never
less than s. Another illustration of the way
in which his humor is appreciated Is tho fact
that nearly all of his work is translated into
the French papers and published there as
original Sonlo American papers translate it
back into English under the title OF ''French
Fun" When the jokes get back into English
the second time then" Mr.. Welch says, "they
are funny" 80 t's