Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-09-26
ARTEMUS WARDS CHARGE.

ARTEMUs WARDS CHARGE.
ae Led . Comedian in Chains. and Has /
Fun with the People.
Daniel Setchell, the comedian, Wa |
at one of the theaters in Philadelphia. !
ArtemuS Ward and Setchel: had
been friends for long time, and had /
passed through many laughable
scenes together. One summer dur J..
ing their vacation Ward wished to
visit his mother, living at that time
"-own east" and he conceived the
idea OF driving there instead of going
by the usual railway and steamboat
that had become quite monotonous
to him Setchell agreed to be his
companion on the trip, SO after all
business matters had been arranged
they started on their novel journey
with their ''hired horse ana buggy"
Nothing of importance happened on
their way out Ward said his time
and attention were taken up by the
horse. The beast desired to make the
pace and he did; the peIsuader was
useless, and Ward was compelled to
allow the animal get there when he
could. After two days and u night
on the road they arrived at the home
Of Wards mother. Some time wa:
spent there. They enjoyed every mo-
ment of the visit and felt reluctant
to leave the happy place when the
day came for their departure. As
they were to return by the road they
came they anti ipated a dull time,
nf fxSrn tnh ri .
not stand dullness at any time. set
chell was a comedian OF the stage
as we'll as on, and his facial expires
sion was unexcelled, if not unequaled
by any actor of his day. He was Il
stoutly built man, inclined to corpu-
lency, with full, round, Jolly face.
Just as the horse was br r,ught up,
and everything made ready for their
departure, Setchell quietly said to
Ward:
Charley, wards name wa
Charles Browne) think am cra y
and il you don't want trouble with
me you had better chain me on our
down trip"
"All right" said Ward, 'TNe
known that fact for some time, and
would really prefer to chain you, as
the landlords and barkeepers would
then have protection
The chain was procured ano
slipped in the carriage, no one know
ing it was there, and after Ieave-tak
ing and many good -bys as they
mounted the wagon, the return
trip was begun. The ride was un-
eventfui for some time. AT noon
they stopped at the road side inn, and
Ward informed the landlord of his
friends mental condition. Several
rustIcs gathered round to have look
at the lunatic, but. with the eX cp-
tion of few grimaces and rolling OF
the eyes, nothing startling occurred.
Resuming their journey. they found
the road almost deserted, and. of
course, no need of applying the hahn.
Just at dusk they arrived at the
tavern" where the night would be
aren't The chain was placed on
Setchell. and Ward, carefully leading
him, entered the house. Ward told
the landlord that his charge was
harmless except at times, but he could
always tell when the tit was coming
IN by his change Of couutenan.e
which was at times startling.
The landlord got very uneasy, anC
hoped he would not have fit in the
house. In the early morning evsry-
body in the house was aroused by un
earthly yells coming from the sup.
posed lunatic'S room. There was
general rush Of everyone, and the pro-
prietor with pale face, seemed terror
fric N a
ceeded in Guieting his companion and
the breakfast soon over, they were
preparing to leave the house, when
suddenly the lunatic began again yell
ing and diStorting his features.
Guests and servants flew in dismay,
and the poor landlord was almost par.
alyZed with fear.
do get him out, Mr.. Ward" he
said, new mind the bill, get him
out, get him out"
Ward, Of course, paid his bill, and
at last succeeded in getting his friend
! in his buggy.
AS they were leaving, Ward said tc
the landlord, 1--WE will stop here or
our way back"
"No, you needn't" shouted the
boniface, II close this house for re
pairs Tonight"
Nothing further happened until
they came to blacksmith's shop on
the roadside. The chain was put on
and they stopped at the shop door,
without alighting. Ward called to
the blacksmith requesting drink OF
cold water tor the imbecile by his
side. The smith brought the spark
ling liquid in the usual stone jug, and
Setchell, after apparently taking
long drauSh, with vacant stare,
and to all appearances not knowing
what he was doing, threw the con-
tents of the jug over the big black
imith.
The man retreated a few steps,
shaki- q, the water from his eyes and
then, raising his huge arm, said:
"You're not as big foo! as you look,
and l can lick the pair Of you," and
started for them with vo1. ice ir
his eye.
Ward was prepared, however, foi
any emergency, and before the mar
could get near enough to reach them
brought the whip down on the horse
with such vigor that the poor beast
with fright jumped into a run, for
tunatelY for the occupants of the We.
hicle.
The race continued for some dis
tance, but the horse succeeded at
length in leaving the pursuing smith
too far behind to be dangerous.
Il think the happiest sight of my
life was that enraged and painting
blacksmith at the bottom of the hill
and we at safe distance at the
top" said Artemus Ward. Day.
Whitening Sugar.
The process Of whitening sugat
vas never known until a hen walked