The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-04-16

One evening not long ago sat in the
Indian room" Of Mr.. Frank b. Con-
verses coy New York home and listened
Tor an hour while my host and his gifted
wife, Harriet Maxwell Converse. enter
tanned me with "reminiscences Of their
famous cousin, Charles Farrar Browne,
better known 10 the world as ArteIRus
Ward.
I'VE were married in 1851" remarked
Mr.. Converse, land left America on
what may be called an unlimited we'd
ding journey. We wandered through
Europe and the Orient for Eve years,
and didn't turn our faces bomeward I'M
Ill the early fall Of 1895. Then, while
stopping at the Langham, in London,
learned that Artemus was in town. ]
hurried him mp, and he returned with
me to the hotel His face was thin. his
eyes abnormally bright and his spirits
somewhat depressed. He had Just con-
tributed his first article TO Punch. II
didn't suit him In fact he regarded il
with scorn and referred to Il as internal
gibberish.' Thus weighted down with
the blues, he greeted Mrs. Converse, and
after formal welcome had been ex-
changed, exploded: Harriet, how nice
your hair looIsl never can get mine
10 suit. Indeed nothing about me curls
except this blamed big nose Of mine.
All the rest is angles"
Then he went on 10 unburden his soul
Of various grievances The chief Of these
was his inability ~ secure 9 suitable
hall in which to deliver his lectures
Finally he frightened up in the quaint
and lovable fashion that so endeared him
to his friends, and suggested q visit 10
the theatre.
We'll get you n nice seat, HarrietT
he urged, land then I want Frank 10
loaf around among the gods with me
Perhaps can pick mp n few ideas
Here Is Mrs COnverse's version Of
what followed: The boys saW me CON-
fortably placed in one Of the stalls and
then left grew interested a. the play
progressed and had forgotten them for
moment, when all at once the house was
filed with . sharp, penetrating. uprOar- |
ious laugh Il came from the top gal |
lery, and looking up saw Artemus and |
my husband surrounded by an amused |
and sympathetic crowd Of people whose |
attention had been distracted from the |
stage by the funny HAmerican's' sto- |
curtain went down no one appeared TO
escort me home went 10 the front Of
the theatre and there found Frank try
ing 10 reason with his cousin. Artemus
was In one 81 the willest Of his prank
ish humOrs, and was engaged in diSsen-
mating information tO a CsIblnan on the |
results Of the civil war and the outlook
for reconstruction in the southern states.
II seerns that the boys hAd left the gal
lery and were coming in from the street
10 take charge Of me when they were
greeted with the query:
'"Keb, gentsz
-Artemus stopped and remarked,
Frank. here's a chance TO do missionary
work Then turning to the driver he
continued: No. sir: don't wish . keb,
but I desire a kebnan. What l. your
charge per hour
1.-Two and siX anywhere in the city.
zir.'
Here's your two and six and q shil-
ling extra for a tip Now. want you 10
stand there. look me In the eye and ne
ceive instruction regarding the p-rilous
state Of affairs now prevalent in the
great republic over which waves the
Stars and Strips
Frank AMI went hons while he
was sill talking He called next DAY
and remarked gleefully; ] poured red
hot facts into that Britisher and the o.
,eIuble1 multitude for twenty minutes.
Then cabby offered me the money back
10 let him of. and let
The only place Browne thought suit-
lble for the delivery Of his lectures was
Egyptian hall, and that chAnced TO be
szsed for the SEASON 10 N English hu-
norist nSme1 George Rose. Rose, over
be nom de plume Of Arthur Sketchly,
Nd written a lot q articles on ''Ths
Experiences Of Mrs. Brown These he
I'D utilized with some success - ma
eFial Tor . conrss Of lectures
''One day" said Mr.. Converse, II Z
leard Artemus coming along the coFri- .
lar 10 our apartments laughing uprOar.
Ousiy. He burst through the door and 2
Eied. Prank, II youIl help me thinkI
m get Egyptian hall within the week =
An right lreplied, command my serv- ?
ceA' He then outlined his scheme. That 2
veuing We dined with some friends, and :
'ae Of the guests 10 whom I was intro 2
loosd was Mr.. George Rose. what I
Il this the famous Arthur .
'sstchly whoss WORKS are % popular In ! :
- Dnitsd etatsST He aaseated - b Z