Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1918 — How Josh Billings Arrived. [ARTICLE]

How Josh Billings Arrived.

Josh Billings, the humorist, was not appreciated when he offered his first contribution to a paper in his home town, according to a correspondent of Christian Register, who was personally acquainted with him. He then concluded to follow Artemus Ward’s example and misspell his articles so as to attract attention. “In this ansurd shape,” he said, “I sent one of my unfortunate productions to the New York Weekly. I soon got a letter accepting my manuscript and asking me for more. In time I was under a big salary not to write for any other paper.” One of Josh Billings’ eccentricities described was his “Lecture Milk.” In this lecture lie never saSd a word about milk, but a glassful of that liquid stood on his desk while he talked and was occasionally sipped by him as he spoke. As milk was his support while he talked, rather than water or something stronger, his lecture was in truth given “on milk.” - • .