The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-26
How Marshall Wilder Achieved Sue
cess.
From the Washinoton Post.

Doubtless great many people noticed at the
inaugural ball a man understood, with some
what the appearance of dwarf and wondered
who he was He was Marshall p Wilder, and
the Detroit Neics thus speaks of him. THE APP
pearance of Marshall z. Wilder, the lllputian
humorist this week puts me in mind of a queer
story l once heard of how he got his start in
business. He is the son, at least so the history
goes of a physician in New York of more
amiable disposition and rightful claim to blood
that was blue than practice that was large
Wilder's own dwarfed stature and weak little
frame, scarce three feet high, did not leave the
ordinary branches of business or the profess
sionS open to him. But he soon found he had a
fortune in his face. 1t would transform itself
at his bidding into that of a simperiny babe a
schoolboy or an aged man with wrinkled en-
bellishments All the various emotions it
would mirror with truthfulness and startling
clearness. He began TO cultivate this power of
mimcry, aud with great success Then he
started out to become the nineteenth century
court fool. There was briiliancy in the idea
Ideas are worth money He made his fortune
He had heard how much of a card it was for
society actresses to receive the attentions and
recognition Of II r. II. the Prince of Wales So
the future court fool went to London to take
post, as Gilbert puts it in his latest opera. The
Yeomen Of the Guard Wilder got into the
st. James club, or some other club, some
how or other, and laid for his grace
The prince came in and leaued up at a
I've got a story TO tell you, said Wilder going
up behind HIM and reaching up to pull royalty's
cOaL-Jall. Inc prince gave MIN Il stony stare,
and moved away. Wilder, however, kept his
hold, and his grace came to anchor. Please,
your grace, / have come all the way from
America to tell you this story, and want to do
it, Then the prince stood still, and Wilder
began to unravel. He told his royal highness
the joke Of when a door is not door His
grace saw the keen humor of this and roared
with laughter. This token of approval from
the queens own brought all the club loungers
around Then Wilder asked, with his most in
sinuating smile, Why does miller wear dusty
capY He had to explain to his royal listeners
in this instance that it was TO cover
the miers head but when the diagram was
unfolded the appreciation of his listeners was
unbounded. Then Wilder barked like doy
with appropriate facial expression. mewed like
a cat, brayed like a donkey and raised Cain and
royal laughter simultaneously. Wilder was a
go after that. London society took him into
its arms, and, though Wilder is not very big
arnful, it made good deal Of him. He man,
aged to go around, and when he did he got
large fees for his services. He became the
court fool. With this distinction, and his
pockets we'll lined with ducats he sailed back
to his native land with smile Of satisfaction
which man only wears when he knows he's
got a dead sinch' on society. New Yorx fol
lowed the example of London--of course-and
Wilder was the -prsper thing there. He re-
ceved as high as 500 an evening at the houses
of the rich aud played profitable engagements
at the theaters. The land loveth man with
new idea"