The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 4: To California and Return — John Shaqi
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 4: To California and ReturnWard, Artemus
General
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 4: To California and Return
Ward, Artemus
American wit and humor
Nobody seems to know how many wives Brigham Young has. Some set
the number as high as eighty, in which case his children must be
too numerous to mention. Each wife has a room to herself. These
rooms are large and airy, and I suppose they are supplied with all
the modern improvements. But never having been invited to visit
them I can't speak very definitely about this. When I left the
Prophet he shook me cordially by the hand, and invited me to call
again. This was flattering, because if he dislikes a man at the
first interview he never sees him again. He made no allusion to
the "letter" I had written about his community. Outside guards
were pacing up and down before the gateway, but they smiled upon me
sweetly. The veranda was crowded with Gentile miners, who seemed
to be surprised that I didn't return in a wooden overcoat, with my
throat neatly laid open from ear to ear.
Nobody seems to know how many wives Brigham Young has. Some set
the number as high as eighty, in which case his children must be
too numerous to mention. Each wife has a room to herself, These
rooms are large ans airy, and I suppose they are supplied with all
the modern improvements. But never having been invited to visit
them, I can't speak very definitely about this. When I left the
Prophet he shook me cordially by the hand, and invited me to call
again. This was flattering, because if he dislikes a man at the
first interview he never sees him again. He made no allusion to
the "letter" I had written about his community. Outside guards
were pacing up and down before the gateway, but they smiled upon me
sweetly. The verandah was crowded with Gentile miners, who seemed
to be surprised that I didn't return in a wooden overcoat, with my
throat neatly laid open from ear to ear.
. . . .
I go to the Theatre to-night. The play is Othello. This is a
really fine play and was a favourite of G. Washington, the father
of his country. On this stage, as upon all stages, the good old
conventionalities are strictly adhered to. The actors cross each
other at oblique angles from L.U.E. to R. I. E. on the slightest
provocation. Othello howls, Iago scowls, and the boys all laugh
when Roderigo dies. I stay to see charming Mrs. Irwin (Desdemona)
die, which she does very sweetly.
. . . .
I was an actor once, myself. I supported Edwin Forrest at a
theatre in Philadelphia. I played a pantomimic part. I removed
the chairs between scenes, and I did it so neatly that Mr. F. said
I would make a cabinet-maker if I "applied" myself.
. . . .
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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