The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-19
BILL NyE,s CAREER.

he Is About to Publish a Book-H0w He
Started as a HuHaorisE
Chicago Herald.
Have you any other DESIGNS nror ~ ,,,,hI~
vest buttons, Mr. Nye?r
Thanks; you're very kind to put IL that wav.
Yes. am getting out new book 1t is nv
normal condition TO be getting out a new book
Ii l were not getting out new book should
feel that something had gone out of nv life and
that was not myself. This is the fourth book
l have published in answer TO the clamerous an
peals of the public. Whenever the public got
to clamoring too loudly for a new book from me-
and 1t got so noisy that could not ignore it any
more, would issue another volume. The first
was red book, succeeded by dark blue volume
after which / published a green book all of
which were kindly received by she American
public, and under the present yielding system Of
international copyright were greedily snapped
up by some of the tottering dyDasties. But this
book will. l trust, be a larger heavier and. if
possible, redder book than the first It is the
DOCK which, may say 1t without boasting, will
live for weeks after other books have passed
away. Even to those who cannot read it will
come like q benson when there is no venson in
the house. 70 the ignorant its pictures will be
pleasing The wise will reyel in its wisdom and
the housekeeper will find it invaluable to en-
phasiZe a statement or kill q cockroach"
lyon heartily recommend and indorse the
book, do you. Mr.. Nye2
II do, most eilpharcally. It has been care
fully read over by the proof reader and myseif.
and we DO not ask the public to do anything that
We we're not willing to do ourselves
"How long have you been subject to these
humorous attacks2"
II have had them internationally for ten years.
l wrote weekly letters to the Denver Tribune
for while, and then meaadered to Laramie
City. arriving there with my clothes and rs
cents cast about me to see what seemed the
most promising investment for a man of capital.
l soon discovered that capital had no charms in
the far West; SO it was necessary TO take TO la
Dor. Having considerable assortment of long
words that | had thought out at leisure mo-
ments l entered upon contract to fill page a
week in a local paper. / was dramatic critic,
night police reporter, sporting editor society re-
porter, ire editor anu humorist My greatest
success. though, was as dramatic critic. used
to pass most of my evenings at the theater,
where used to pick up good deal of news for
the criminal column. While comedy was strug-
CLING along on the stage. pale-faced tragedy used
to stalk around in the auditorium armed with
slx-shooter They used to sell you a glass of
beer for two bits and throw in
ticket for the show. The beer was made
and Paris green, 1t was charitahly
intended to inebriate the auditor so he could
stand the performances / used to enjoy una
theater first rate, and revelied In passes, which
always included coupon good for schooner of
the aforesaid beer. After officiating as a lumi-
nary OF the Laramie press for several years,
achieved a postmastership, but STILL between
the intervals of reading the postal cards man
ageu TO keep the palpltaslng public INF 'rmed as
to what was goiI Fl ~ res,l n I'd, AMI
wrote to the President telling him where hs
would find everything in the Office, the read
postal cards carefully pigeon separately
from the unread ones, and This letter was
made the subject of editorial in the London
News, which severely criticises me for my trivi.
ality. dare say deserved it, have written
for great many papers, and have now COM
menced to find market for my work in the great
magazines. My lectures are profitable, and If
my health improves, they will become still more
remunerattve after awhile"
Ii Mr.. Nye had as extended an acquaintance
as his writings have he would be equally AS
popular. He is one of the most genial OF COM
panions and he writes just as be talks. His con-
versaton sparkles with the unique drolleries Of
expression that make his sketches so irresist-
ible, and he has a dry as dust manner of saying
quaint thing that makes il doubly funny. He
is seemingly always unconscious of any intention
TO amuse.