The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

call one OF the most amusing Incidents
that ever occurred
Years before the civil war Missis-
sippi steamer on Its way to New Orleans
was crowded. with passengers, among
whom a score Of professions were repre-
sented. 1t rained for days. the weather
being OF the most dismal nature. Poker
playing occupied many. among the par
Elephants probably being several Of tn ose
who have been immortalized by David A.
Curtis. party OF young men growing
tired OF the monotony sought out new
ways of amusement. Finding Signor Blltz
registered as one of the passengers. they
hunted up the dnpper little gentleman and
begged him to help them out. Blitz was
always ready for anything in the nature
of fun and volunteered to give them all
the aid he could. lie started with them
to find a subject or victim. Entering the
cabin. they saw a clerical looking gem
teman sitting on sofa, reading a book
Bltz wnked to his friends that he was
the fellow he wanted and straightway
began n display OF his ventroquiai skill
cat under the sofa emitted n terrified
screech but the clergyman continued
reading unmoved. lie merely glanced over
the top of his book and showed no fur
ther Interest In the party. Then a cur
snapped at his feet but he did not seem
to hear him. About this time Bltz found
himself annoyed by n bee that continually
buzzed ut his ear. lie slapped at It sew
eral times but never hit Il. Blltz was
on his mettle and worked harder than
ever before, but without any seeming
effect on his subject who remained alb
sorbed In his book. Meanwhile. the buzz-
ing OF the bee became exasperatlng.
Bli,s slapped in vain. until the nuisance
became unbearable. Suddenly the truth
attempts he faced his mystified friends.
Gentlemen" said he. ITS no use.
There's some one In this room who Is n
better ventriloquist than t.
And then the clerical looking passen-
ger laid aside his hook. rose TO hls feet
and smillngly offered his hand.
How do YOU do, Slgnor? / am Prof.
Wyman.'
THE Joke IL on me-" admitted BIltz
~ know you by reputation az one OF the
finest ventriloquists living. but I never
had the pleasure OF meeting you before.
Let's you and me Join forces on this
trip"
And didn't those two peerless maglcIans
turn that boat upside down? The walter
NJ hNlfll'l'u ~ SDllI u watermelon
dropped II in terror when he heard an
awful groan from within. with prayer
that he might be spared the fat old
gentleman Mt the table jumped up with
an imprecatlon and kicked at the in
visible dog that was nipplng his legs
the ;imld maiden tainted NJ the squeaking
OF a mouse on her chair: walters fell
over one another and came to blows in
their frantic attempts 10 obey no end OF
contradictory orders. and even the grim
old captain began to believe he had EN-
again" For the rest OF the trip down
the river that steamer was pande-
monium OF fun. conservation bewilder-
ment and high links.
never was acqua rted with Slgnor
Blltz. though ms a boy | enjoyed many
OF his exhibitions. but | met Prof. wyman
and, recalling the incident. asked him
whether 1t was true as related Wyman
threw back his head displaying his fine
set OF teeth, and shook with laughter.
Every word Of 1t Is true" he replied
"Of course when Blitz and his super
naturally solemn friends walked into the
cabin | knew what 1t all meant. had
the advantage in recognizing him at once,
while he did not dream of my Identity
We became fast friends and he and |
have laughed many time over the Incl
dent you recall" T.. =. ELLIS
Pardon a few more words about Signor
Blitz. of whom correspondent inquired
under your Questions and Answers" in
your issue Of the 18th ult
S!gnor Blitz, despite his Italo- Teutonic
name, was AN Englshman and sue
cessful entertainer in most of our large |
cities. In New York he frequently APP |
peared In a hall OF the Stuyvesant Insti- |
tute. which stood on the west side OF |
Broadway, just above Blocker street II |
was. II mistake not. the first home OF |
bn ma l,.,.
New York. 1t has been questioned |
whether Blitz was the signor's real name. |
Though ! have no reason for my belief, |
think possibly his name was Bliss for |
many public performers especially con- |
lurers. have a trick OF adopting for |
eign name. as. for example. NJ Hartz.
who lived and played in New York for |
several years, was Joseph NJ. Hart. As |
Tor Blltz. his granddaughter assured me |
hat she never knew any other name.
Nine. Van Zandt. the opera singer was
Blitz's daughter. not his granddaughter.
About two years ago started out to find |
when Blitz died and whore he was
buried, and after some trouble learned
hat he is buried in Cypress Hills Gene
cry. Brooklyn The plot has seven graves
md six grave markers bearing merely
he initial letters OF members OF the fam
ly In the centre is n large monument
'earing the following inscription:
Erected TO the memory OF Signor
>ntonio Blitz Born in Deal England,
'une 3lst. $780, Died in Philadelphia
January 2sth, 1877. Till the Day Break
md the Shadows Flee Away
"Maria G., wife Of Signor Antonio
'lltz. Died August 3lst, 1859. Aged AZ
ears"
There is no other name or lettering. ex-
cpt on the base OF the monument in the
usual place, is the one name, Bltz
The plot is directly opposite the large
ircular plot dedicated TO the firemen.
As soon as | found the plot Issent a
to the cemetery and had
photograph taken, This had enlarged,
nd II your correspondent has any Gu
iosity In the matter she may see II in
he store OF Clyde Powers on Forty-sec-
nd street. New York
Bites so-called Autobiography" q
ave COPY is a book OF over 400 pages
He'd with facts and fancies, more fan
les than facts, and Is a catchpenny af-
air evidently got out as an adver-
lsement 1t is entitled Fifty Years in
he Magic Circle" 1t is now out OF print
and small loss. HENRY HATToN.
| wonder If YOU are old enough to
Beadle's Dime Novels. Are
hoy all out of print? w. CD.
A friend has a large collection OF
'eadle's with the original yellow covers