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Artemus Ward As A Practical Joker

Artemus Ward As A Practical Joker image
Parent Issue
Day
4
Month
October
Year
1878
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Browne, and Griswold, tho "Fat Contribufcor," wero on newspaper work it the same timo in Cleveland, and wcre vcrv intímate friends. One day thore cainc to tho city a dramatic reader, a man of somc note, Imt of a very timid disposition. These two worthies in somc manner discovcred that lio was a persoñ eitsily to bo imposed upon, and shortly after his arrival they paúl him a visit. It was an early hour in tho morning - long after the man had retired - and they found it diflicult to arouse him. They told liim tliey werc editors, and wantod to hear him read beforc writing him up. They invited him lo stop into the hall adjoining the hotel and give thom a sjx'eimen of lus jiowers. Al livsfc the man refusod to go with them, Imt when they told him sternly that they Averc cditors, and would oruah him if ho did not comply, he feit compclled to go. Nor would they ullow him to put on liis clothes, bnt fotoed him to go in night-dress to a cold and drearj' hall, whöre they complacently smoked their eigars while they lifitoned to him decTaim, with chattering tecth and trembliiig voice, for several honra. When they linally permitted him to go, they told him, by way of consolation, that they had ahvays thirsted to hcar a dramatic reader in night-dress, and they wcro very much gratificd with his per formance. Browne was a great lover of a practical joke. One of his maddest pranks was in New York city, in 1863. He had been at sorne beneiit performance witl Dan Bryant and Nelse Seymour, and at its conclusión he induced these two ■ to join him on a lark. Accordingly, they went to Bryant's property-room, ; and each donned a complete snit of armor. Then they armed themselves with broadswords, and, iu the still hours ' of the night, went forth in search of de i feiiseless citizens. Up and down tlie street in grim array they marched, ant ! whenevcr they found a man alone ani I unarmed they would make him ge down on his knoes and pray for mercy Then, after having frightened him al most out of his Benses, they would per I mit him to go on his way. The fnn however, after a while was brought to mi abrupt termination by the pólice, who marchecl them off to the TombR. They éntered fictitious ñames ; Imt the Jndge next morning recognized the culprits, and diseharged them with an admonition. On tin-, sume night they visited tho house of Tom Jackson, who luid just brought to this country the fiimous Swiss bell-ringers. ín responso to their violent ringing of the bell, Jackson carne to an iipj)er window, and, not knowing who his visitors were, asked ! them in temes of thimder what they wantefl. " We want an engagement," said Browne. " We are the original bellringers." Jackson then recognized them, and, appreciating the joke, invited them in. - 6. O. Rulhrauff, in October Scribner.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus