Life — February 24, 1887 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

406 * LIFE: “T thought you'd recognize it,” said the Pony, joyously. .“* You “Two,” he continued, raising himself see,” he continued, “Ihave a mission in life. I’m a native born | to an angle of forty-five degrees, as is shown American Broncho, and I want to shame those Anglomaniacs out of | in Fig. B, while the correspondent reached their notions about everything English being the best. To do this I | out to remove a large horsefly from the top am getting my legs into training for the greatest effort of my life. | of his ear. With my front legs as Irving’s weak-kneed Hamlet and my hind legs “Three,” he ejaculated, with a sort of a as Booth’s sturdy but melancholy Dane, I hope to show these people | rocking-chair motion that caused the inter- how far superior the American is to the Englishman, You see, next | viewer to lean slightly forward and pull to ballet dancing, the role of Hamlet requires more expressive limbs | his stirrups up higher, so that he could see how the land lay. than any part I know of, and it is in the intellectual qualities of the legs that Booth is immeasurably the superior of the two men.” “That certainly is a good idea,” said the reporter, “and I sincerely trust that you will not only carry it out, but will remember that there are four dramatic critics on L1FE who would be pleased to give a review of your performances from the standpoint of Anglomaniac, Anglo- phobiac, Democrat and Mugwump.” “That will be very nice,” replied the Pony, with a smile, “I in- tend giving a performance for the critics of New York, and shall try to hire the State of New Jersey for the sake of accommodating them. “THREE.” Those who can’t get in can sit on the Brooklyn Bridge and look over, you know.” “Could you give a few points for the readers of LiFe on the science of Bucking?” “‘With great pleasure,” replied the affable Broncho. “It is very simple and easily learned, If you will kindly step up on my back I'll teach you the whole thing in less than a minute. You may gather your points afterward.” “two.” “And four,” said the Broncho, looking slyly around at hisfpupil, who, suddenly remembering an engagement at the hospital which demanded his immediate attention, was taking the shortest cut to the sidewalk through the second- story window on the north side of the garden. “Well,” yelled the Broncho after him, ‘I never saw a cowboy get through the motions quicker than you did. You literary fellows are smart, and if you'll come in and rehearse to-mor- row you'll be an accomplished Broncho steerer in less than a week.” “AND FOUR.” But the reporter, not caring for a hearse of any | kind, much less a rehearse, kept on his way, rejoic- ing that very little more than some of his valuable time had been killed by the interview. “You'te very kind,” said the reporter, climbing on his host’s back. “Oh no, not at all,” replied the Broncho, quickly.‘ Now, there are four motions, Ready ?” The correspondent reluctantly expressed his readiness. Carlyle Smith. TO A CORRESPONDENT. | SPIRING Artist: Your drawing came to hand this | morning. In reply to your inquiries as to ink and | paper, we think if you would use no ink on less paper and would draw a $50,000 prize in the Louisiana Lottery, you “ONE,” | would do better. | * * “One,” said the Broncho,” gathering his hind legs beneath him, | as the reporter assumed a,horizontal position. Too many bills spoil the surplus. What beautiful weather! Just ann wlenit Don’t know but it feels more like spring. = as like fall, though, after all. comicbooks.com