The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-18
Artenus Warti.

Calling upon Mr.. Lincoln on one Of
the darkest days in the late war, | was
surprised 10 see upon his mantcl-piece
a couple OF volumes-Une small Bible,
the other Artemus Ward. his Book. "Do
you read Altemus Ward?@ l asked
him. Il don't read any body else,'' he
answered. with smile ON his care-worn
face: ''he is inimitable' In the plain
building before which We are standing
the inimitable Snowman first set up his
''waS tiggers;" and ii we enter here we
may encounter the assistant editor of
the fiGindtdier, who was the asso-
ciate and intimate friend of "A Ward
when the latter was the city editor Of
this journal. He has many anecdotes
to tell OF the genial Snowman. He de-
scribes his appearance. when he first
came to the Office, as decidedly rustic
He was, he says. long and lank. with
flowing hair, and loosely fitting coat,
and trousers too short in the legs and
bagging at the knees. His humor was
irrepressible, and always bubbling over.
and he kept all about him in constant
state of merriment. He was a wag-
nothing but wag-but in that line a
genius. He could see only the ludierous
side OF a subject. Going away once on
short vacation, he engaged this gen.
tleman 10 perform his work during his
absence. He carefully instructed him
as To his duties, and in doing SO drew
from his pocket a tow string about q
foot and half long, and told him be
must furnish that amount OF COPY per
day, leaving On his desk the measure as
reminder of the quantity About this
time he was called upon TO respond to a
toast TO the Press at Ben franklin fes-
tival held in Cleveland. He rose to his
feet, hung his head for a few moments
in silence and. then sat down, hav-
ing said nothing. In his account of
the festival in the next DAYS Plaindea-
Ter his speech was reported by a blank
space of about half column of eloquenI
silence
This gentleman remembers that soon
after "A. Ward entered the lecture
field he was invited bv a theatrical
manager in San Francisco TO deliver u
course in Califolnia. The season being
Close at hand, The manager asked him
by telegraph: What will you take for.
forty nights in California? Answer
Immediately" Ward answered imme-
diately. by telegraph, Brandy and wa
Ter" The joke was noised throughout
the State. and the result was. when Ar
temus went there TO lecture on his own
account. he WAS met everywhere with,
overlooking HOUSES. While engaged
lectnring in the West. he wrote this gen.
tleman the following epistle:
MY DEAR GEoRGE.-I want you to dol
me favor. L relied on one OF my men to-
save ma the press notices. He didn't Will
yOn collect Them Tor me AT once, and send
lllem 10 me at the Bates House? Now this
istaxIng your good nature. but You'll do i'll
for me-won't you, George! DO you know
That you remind me more aud more OF ttle
Doble Romans2 don't know who they
were, but you remind me of them: YOU do.
indeed. And could / have appealed TO one
of those noble Romans 10 cut out some
press notices for me in vain? l guess not
30 on, young man, go ON. Deal kindly with
the aged. Remember that we are here for
oiIiy iitt c while, and that riches take un~
70 themselves wings and ty away. lntoxi-
cate the shuuiiing bowl. Support yonr.
county paper. Love the Lord, and send me
those notices. WrlIe likewise. And now,
kind sir. farewell. Farewell.
When other lips aud other hearts
''Your'n, my pretty gazelle. .
"A. WARD" 2
--EdanIasd KJrke, an Rdrpers Aaga-
zine for March.