Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-17
STORIES OF COMEDIAN FLORENCE.
Tho Prince of Good Fellows Was the Den

adays about Florence's trips to the Res
tigouche. He first made acquaintance
with this world famous salmon river
through the Duke of Beaufort. Flor
ence and the Duke of Beaufort became
fast friends upon very short acquain-
lance. This friendship was kept up
until the end, and since the actor died
mutual friends in this city have sent the
TO the Duke in England. The acquain-
lance was brought about through
Edward Sothern, and the three had
many a jolly time together.
Upon one accession the Duke of Beau
fort was stopping at the Gilsey House,
in this city. lie and Sothern had "put
up several successful practical Jokes
upon Florence, and he was biding his
time for chance to get even. One day
he told the Duke of Beaufort that he
needed exercise.
YOU'RE not looking WE'LL" said he.
II was troubled just that way, and a
prize-tighter put me on to scheme for
starting the circulation and stirring up
the dormant muscles"
I'D like to try it," was the reply.
what do you have to do?'
why, its just like this" said Flor
ence. You strip TO your undercloth-
ing. Then take chair and run about
the room hundred times raising and
lowering the chair as you 60"
"By love, think that's a good
scheme" said the Duke. I'm going to
try it. What would be the best time to
begin9"
nd tackle it this afternoon about an
hour after lunch"
Florence knew that several people Of
consequence were going to call upon
the Duke at that time in the afternoon
and he lay in wait for them.
Going up to see his Grace ~
"Yes, is he in?"
'iie's IN" said Florence, "but saw,
look here, I'm afraid the old man Is
touched in the head. think he's off
his base, and, now that think of II, |
believe there's insanity in the family.
But yon 60 up and see for yourself.
When left he was running about the
room brandishing a chair.
Florence took them up and gave the
visitors peep through the door. The
Duke, conscientiousiy going through
49, lfAC6 hohiilN Ohttilltu lDT MN, WuE
sweating and putting. His friends were
thunderstruck and were going to cable
70 his family in England, when Sothcrn
came in, took in the situation at glance
and rushed at Florence saying nAh,
you beggar, this is some Of your doing"
A LIVE LAME on ICE.
Florence had many amusing expert
ences with the natives during his trims
to the Canadian solmon fishing country.
Upon one occasion he told his guide
and head man at the camp that he would
like to have some lamb, and he ordered
him to get the lamb and keep it on ice
for week. AT the end Of the week the
actor said: "You'd better let us have
some Of that lamb for dinner tonight"
All right, sir" was the reply, "Tll
50 and kill it now
1T auctually turned out" said Flor
ence afterwards as he told the story.
that the man had kept a live lamb on
ice for week!
AN INCIDENT IN CAMP.
Shortly after this they were all camped
out near the Restigouchc, and the time
that was not spent in salmon fishing
was enlivened BY games OF cards and
hilarious fun. During the day some Of
the party had been out after deer and
had bagsed three fine animals. They
We're hung up near the camp. About
midnight Edward Sothern woke IN and
thought he heard noise outside, Peer
ing out between the flaps of the tent he
saw a large bear proving about near
the game. that was hanging from pole.
Now III have one ON Billy said he.
Sothern then quietly awoke the
Duke OF Beaufort and one or two other
members OF the party and told them
what he was going to do. Florence's
rifle lay upon a camp-stool near where
he was asleep. Sothern took it up and
withdrew the charge, and then he sub
stituted blank cartridges and put the
rifle back. After the other members Of
the party had taken their places where
they could see the fun Sothern woke up
Florence.
get up, Billy" said he in whisper.
There's bear outsitle-a biz fellow. .
"Hold on, let me have a shot ut him.
said Florence quickly, reaching out for
his rifle. Let mo have the first shot |
haven't had any big game lately and Pm
great shot IN the dark. You might
miss him if You fired
"All right, 50 ahead was the reply.
Florence looked out and saw the bear.
Then, with much suppressed excite
lnent, lie took aim and fired. The RI
port was loud and clear upon the mid.
night air, and the bear was only a few
feet away. But he did not reel over On
his side. He simply turned and looked
quietly ny Florence and then slowly
trotted of. A
I've hit him in the shoulder, but I'll
drop him this time"
Then he fired two or three shots ii
rapid succession. The bear again
stopped and looked at him, and then
disappeared in the brush, When tic
whole party broke out in roars 81
laughter Florence understood the Joke,
THE MATTER WITH THE HAN.
Upon another occasion some friend In
baltimore sent prime ham to the
camp. There i a well-known member
81 the Union Club who is one Of the bcsi
amateur cooks III America, and wht
was in camp with Florence at the time
lie requested permission to cook Tho
ham and al voted that he was inst hi,
man g do it. 50 thai ham was boiled
and thay were all looking forward 10 il.
onioyment that night it dinner Blu
when tile knife WINS set ut the prime
Baltimore ham that delicacy was found
TO BE as tough MS leather II was stringy
hard and almost tasteless. The amateur
cook had almost ruined his reputation
but lie determined to find out Whit wa,
the matter So, when FloreAce was Il
Baltimore hc saw the friend who ha(
sent il and slid why, that ham wa.
ne good, It was tough and striney afte
being boiled by the best amateur cook il
America
"tioiled 7 sid the man in astonish
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