The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-29

dience there was a thrill of recognition
that was delightful to my own vanity. L
drew this comic portrait on an envelope,
wrote NEW York; under it, nothing
more, and SO well was his face known that
he received the letter the next morning.
much to his own establishment
In England he was a source of much
wonder and speculation His Jokes were
taken with the usual British amazement
and speculation, then carefully pondered
over, digested and finally comprehended,
but he never wearied of narrating how
some of his remarks were taken seriously.
At the Wild West banquet somebody re-
ferred to flowing hair which is one of
the Wild West ''props.'' Nye remarked
that he once had flowing hair, but his
had long since fed This little jest was
pondered over for many moons by the
Enghshmen present, who endeayored to
Ind a concealed meaning to it.
Nye was vastly diverted also by the fact
that the English papers criticised his comic
history of the United States seriously. His
very best jests were often spoken ones and
while it is impossible to recall them at
will they will be handed down to posterity
accredited to every other funny man per-
haps, but from now on they will be re-
membered and treasured
lie had q quaint, dry way of speaking.
His mouth took on a funny little twist
that was comical in itself, and he had
sort of Yankee drawl that grew on him of
late years until it was also distinguish
ing trait.
In attire he was never careless, but
rather more particular than are literary
mon, yet he was not snowy or vulgar, and
he wore dress suit as if born in one.
1 think his pet story was the one as to
how he was charged 81 for sandwich in
village in New Jersey. He told the man
who sold it that it was a very high price
for n SanGVzicE ND coid hot ho
quently got ten course dinner, with four
kinds of wine, for just making a speech,
and finally asked the man why he charged
81 for common ham sandwich.
well, III tell ye,'' said the sandwich
man. THE fact is, by CAD, need the
money!"
OF late q most cruel story was widely
and with an envenomed jealousy circu-
Lated about Nye. It was stated that he
had appeared before an audience in an in
toxicated condition. Next evening he
stumbled upon ascending the steps of a
pulpit in a Paterson church, and the story
was then and there assumed to be fact
He was assaulted after his lecture by a
mob of Paterson young men at the station.
i have known him intimately for ten
years under varying circumstances;
known also that his health was always
delicate; that he was obliged to be very
careful, and was amazed at this story
more IMAM can Tell. never knew him
to drink more than an occasional glass
and never saw him, nor do believe that
he was ever, under the influence of liquor.
am convinced that the whole story was a
baSeless fabrication.
To US who knew him and loved him
Bill NYe is dead. The tears that have
fallen on these pages are for my own per-
sonal loss, but to you who knew him in
his writings he is still alive, and when
years hence Americans look back upon his
work, as he did lovingly upon that of John
PhRnix-when his books are classic mon
uments of American humor, as truly they
will be-he win still live, beloved and re-
membered, for he who makes US laugh is
greater than he who makes us weep.
Bill Nye's name will be a household
word century hence, for his wit was
gentle, wholesome and American.-Walt
McDougall in New York World.