The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-16
THEY WANTED "sPICE -
How Burr Mcintosh Entertained
ROthschiId,s Guests.
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
At enc time in life, before their pres
ent greatness came upon them, Burr Nc
Intosh and Marshall Wilder Travelled to-
gether for dollars and diversion. They
were the original long man and short
man, and the Chicago maurauders OF
that title are merely imitatOrs and in
frlngers OF copyright applied for with
the names blown on the bottle. The little
humoriSt and the giant made money, but
they had to converse through telephone,
and eventually came to a disagreement
with the result that both entertainers
are now rivals in business Each is a
high favorfte in London, where fashion
able folk, not having many resources
within themselves, need outside help TO
be amused. This system of diversion
probably descended from the oiden times
when the kings Jester kept the court
from boredom by his quibs, was revived
in these times by Corney Grain and car
rled into further excellence Of George
Grossmfth. The first American entertain
er who made a success in London was
Frank Lincoln, lively humorist, VINO
was we'll received by the Prince of Wales.
Then followed Marshall Wilder, whose
natural and artistic equipment for mirth
speedily established him In the favor OF
London. An entertainer in England IS
invited after dinner and his business is
to enliven the guests when they are
heavy with dining and the failure or
their own wit in conversation. A per-
former who can succeed in this task re-
ceiyes fee of ten guineas and engage
ments for every night in the week. In
this strange fashion Corney Grain and
Grossmith used to earn about $500 week.
and without doubt Marshall Wilder makes
$SWV or $1,000 every summer he goes 10
London. Burr Mc1ntosh's first expert
ence of this way to earn living was
curious. His humorous reputation had
preceded him, and a few days after MS
arrival in London he was summoned 70
entertain Baron Alfred >de Rothschilds
dinner guests. On entering the drawing
room our comedian was confronted with
an asSemblage of half the grand DANES
and fashionable folk of London. he
told them some of his wittiest stores
which fell fiat; he sang some negro mel9-
dies, which fell fiat; he executed his best
cara tricks, which fell fiat. Finally, N
despair over the failure of every effort 10
arouse the interest of his audience Bu!r
made ready to escape from the house IN
dlsmay, when the host approached MIN
Sir" said he, "all that is very clever,
but it isn't what my guests want. Haven
You any good stories?" Indeed groah-
ed Burr, Il have told all my best ones;
and they didn't tempt even smile
But persisted Baron de Rothschi ID,
haven't you any stories with spice IL
them?" Oh" cried Burr, lots OF EN-.
Corkers, toe. Regular Lambs 9. GU, cup
stories" All" smiled the baron, thai 5
what we want. Now, go ahead. An
right" says Burr, Just ask the ladies' ~
withdraw and I'll give it to 'em hot
ASK the ladies to Withdraw ejacuiatel
the noble host in astonishment. why, y;
is the ladies that you are to entertain.
But" cried Burr blushing furlousIy,
cant you understand, these are men
stories-never told outside billiard room
or the Lambs They couldn't n be tod .-b pa
fore women" Couldn't, en2" lauSIieu
Baron Alfred, joyously. by Jove, you're,
agem. Ladies'" he cried, smiling to nls
guests, ''this gentleman will now give you
a certain anecdotes not intended for gen
eral circulation" Immediately the com
pany became interested, and Burr, huI 7,
tering, We'll, If you can stand 1t, l can,
hid his bushes desperately, and began tlo
relation of racy stories. His remarks We
received with great applause, and AT tllo s
end of this extraordinary entertalnihtHts
he had enough engagements to M AiS
time for the rest OF the season. NOV, -
that was the experience Of Burr MC4ts
tosh, what must be the experience -
Marshall Wilder? In this country our ~
tie humorist is a model Of propriety' ~.
judging from his long-continued sucee9I
in London, Marshall is probably de'"
OF fellow when he crosses the ocean.
"A curious blunder was made on tau
let in the public library building in kan
sas City, which was unveiled last WeeAii
1t is in memory Of Horace Greeley 49,
his name is spelled Greedy. A new taDio'
a Far 10 - tod