Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1899 — The English Imitation. [ARTICLE]

The English Imitation.

,lle made Ills appearance suddenly, coming forward with a swinging gait. He was a tall, spare man, with a sharp nose and thin Ups. He wore no mustache, but sported a goatee ou his chin, and his face was seamed with painted lines. He was dressed in trousers that did not quite reach bis ankles, a rough coat, a wide western hat, and a long linen duster, unbuttoned. He whittled a piece of stick unceasingly. Someone said something to him. He replied thus: “Wn-al, I guess! I calc’late some! You kin bet your life on tbet, sah! Wa-al, I should smile!” This was greeted with a roar of laughter. He continued: “Naow, in my country, in the land uv the Stars and Stripes, suli, things Is mighty different, sah! Yes, sah; yes, sir! Y'es, sirree! I air A-mericnn, my everlastiu’ friend, and I air proud of It!” H» said a few more things in the same style. The listeners simply shrieked with glee and exclaimed, “How characteristic! How clever!” But who—who was the strange creature? Hush! Be not alarmed, gentle reader. ’Tls merely an English actor typifying the British idea of an ordinary American. They have us down to such a fine point over there.