Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-09

book IS the Scarlet Letter." Even the
genial Autocrat is not appreciated by
every body IN his own town. One day an
American gentleman went into a barber
shop as DR.. Holmes was going out. do
you know who that was that Just went
out:" asked the barber. Being curious
to see what account of DR.. Holmes the
barber would give, the visitor shook his
head. "Why," said the barber, 'that's
old DR.. Holmes?" "Oh, he's been a doc
tor here q great many years. I believe
he amt a practicin' any more, but he's
thought good deal Off
A crushing remark was once made by
a would-be fatterer to Mr.. W. d. Howells,
the American novelist. Shortly after the
publication of "The Lady of the Aroo-
took" "a Foregone Conclusion" and
Venetian Life" a lady asked atgentle
man for his autograph, whereupon he
wrote some impromptu verses in her al
bum. She read them over and then gave
an encouraging smile. 'Oh, Mr.. Howells,"
she exclaimed, II should think you might
do something for the papers and maya
zines; I've seen much worse things than
that in print"
When even Dickens and Thackary met
this TIE smaller fry can scarcely hope to
escape. Men well-known in other walks
of life are scarcely less fortunate than the
novelist. Take for instance, the story
told by a clergyman, as being part of a
conversation held by him with an English
man to whom he pointed out Gen. Grants
residence in New York. The English
man asking, "Wnat name?" and seeming
fo oh toin %hor IL
repeated it to him, and said: "Of course
you have heard of General Grant? He
was our president for eight years, ending
in 1877"
"Ah" remarked the Englishman. still
with no evidence of recalling a fact pre-
viously known.
''Then, too" proceeded the clergyman,
she was a great general, and was in com
mRnd of a million Of men at the close of
our war. You remember our late war,
Of course?"
"WeII, no." was the answer. "Beg par
don, but have just arrived in this coun,
try, and was so long at sea that [ have
not heard the latest news. I was at sea
sixteen days, really"
This gentleman was scarcely abreast of
the times, and his ignorance reminds one
VI h6Ih l. VAIN ldnOuS u u65b4On I'd d
railway carriage bore: "Adam? What's
his other name?"
1t is really surprising how few eminent
Americans are known to the average
general reader" in England. In America,
the names of many of our prominent
men must be familiar, in consequence of
the frequency and the familiarity with
which their actions are discussed in the
columns of most of the great newspapers.
One is surprised indeed, to see English
affairs dealt with as if England were only
some two or three hundred miles from
New York.
Greatness is paid homage to by some
people in very peculiar ways. Every
body must remember the story told in
connection with Victor Hugo. The great
poet was startled one morning by the in
trusion of three Englishmen. ''Yictor
Hugo" consulting a pocket book. The
poet bowed, thinking that he should be
asked for his autograph next. After the
visitors had stared for few seconds, the
pocket-boJk was again consulted.
eleven o'clock; the lionsw said the
spokesman. Then the party bowed and
walked out of the room.-Chamber s
Journal.