Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1882 — “COOL” BURGESS. [ARTICLE]

“COOL” BURGESS.

The man of many Laughs. A SAINTLY STUMP SPEECH BY A SAINTLY SINNER. [From the Chicago Time*.] The name of the gentleman heading this article needs no introductory remarks from the writer. Everybody knows who “Cool” Burgess is, and what he is; everybody who is anybody has seen and laughed at hi* grotesque performances, and enjoyed them in such a manner as to never fprget them. “Cool’s” laugh is contagious and hilarious, and, like the cut of his unmentionables, is unlike anything of the kind on or off the boards. "His oratorical powers are certainly unequaled, and, as he says himself without egotism, he “don’tbelievethatmyLordßoscoe, with all his boasted powers as an orator, could deliver my stump speech as I do.” We coincide in the opinion ourselves. Mr. Burgess tells a heap of truth under the guise of burlesque In his roaring and a reusing stump speech. His hit at the navy is a pretty good thing ; when ho straightens himself up and seriously says that “we have as much water as ever, ” and then “hut where, oh! where are our ships?” the laugh that follows is a pretty good indication the point is well taken. Nor is it with water alone that Mr. Burgess deals in his oratory; that gentleman tells some remarkable truths about oil—one Oil in particular, and that is St. Jacobs Oil, the Great Gennan Remedy for rheumatism. We doubt if he receives a more hearty laugh at any time during his performance, and he receives many such—than when he tells every one to use St. Jacobs Oil, the Great German Remedy. Mr. Burgess very earnestly recommends it as the great panacea, and to show his esteem of the Oil produces a bottle from the capacious pocket of his ulster to show that he knows what he is talking about. This part of Mr. Burgess’ performance struck the writer as very laughable, and he called on Mr. Burgess to know how he came to introduce the Oil in his speech. In reply to his interrogatories Mr. Burgess said: “ I look upon the stage, my dear sir, as a means of educating the people, and human nature is such that truth told in the guise of humor will be remembered longer than the plain unvarnished article. Every word I say regarding the wonderful merits of St. Jacobs Oil I mean. lam the greatest admirer of that wonderful medicine there is in the profession, and there is not an actor in the country who will not speak in praise of the Great German Remedy. The bottle which is produced by me on the stage is no ‘ prop bottle,’ but a genuine article, as I never travel without St. Jacobs Oil. It cured me of the rheumatism when I was so bad with that aggravating disease as to have to give up my business. It cured me permanently, too, and I am so thankful for being cured that I praise it continually. It cured my wife, also, of the same disease, and I know a score of performers who have been cured by it. In fact, no performer of good sense travels without that medicine. You know rheumatism is their especial dread; sooner or later it comes to them all, owing to their mode of living and traveling. ”