Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-27
MY FIRST AND LAST PLAY.
From Mansie wauch's Autobiograpf

On the head Of this we had anither Jug, three
being Cannie, after which were bath wee tozy-
mozy: so daursay Mrs. Grassie saw plainly
that we were getting into state where we wad
not easily make halt; so, without letting On,
she brought in the tea things before us, ana
showed us a PLAY bill, TO tell US that company
OF strolling play actors had come IN ooa! AZ
the morning, with baie cartiul OF scener! anu
GRAND dresses; and were to make an exhioi'ion
at seven O'Clock, at the ransom oil a smiling
head, in laird Wheatley's barn.
Mony a time and often had | heard OF play
acting. and of players making themselves kings
and queens, and saying great many wonder.ui
things: but had never before an opportunity
If making mvseil witness to the truth OF these
bearsays. So Master Glen, being as tu' OF non
sens,. and as fam TO have his curiosity grained,
we took upon US the stout resolution TO gang
on, theeither, he offering TO treat me, and de-
termined to run the risk Of Master Wiggie our
minister's rebuke, for the transgression, hoping
il would make nae lasting impression on his
mind, being for the first and only time. Folks
shouldn't at a times be over scrupulus.
After paving our money at the door, never,
while live and breathe, will forget what we
saw and heard that night; it just looks to me,
by all the world, when ! think or't like fairy
dream. The place was crowded to The &c;
Master Glen and me having nearly got our ribs
dung in before we faud seat, and them bchint
were Obliged to mount the back benches TO get
a sight Right to the forehaRd Of us was a large
green curtain, some Ave or six ellis wide, guild
deal the waur for wear, having seen service
through twa three summers; and Just IN the
front Of il, were eight ten penny candles stuck
in board fastened to the ground, to let US see
the PLAYERS feet, like when they came on the
we saw legs and feet moving behind the scenes
very neatly; while twa blind hdders they had
brought with them played the bonniest We ever
heard. Odd, the very music was worth Six
pence Of itsell.
The place, as ] said before, was choke full,
just TO excess; so that could scarcely breathe.
Indeed ! never saw ony part sac crowded, not
even at tent preaching, when Mr. Roarer was
giving his discourses on the building Of Solo,
mons Temple. We were obligated TO have the
windows opened for mouthful Of fresh air, the
barn being as close as bakers oven, my neigh
Dor and me tanning our rea faces VII our hats,
TO keep US COOL and, though all were half stew.
ed, we had the worst ont, the toddy we had
ta'en having fermented the blood of our bodies
into sperfect fever.
Just at the time the two blind fddlers were
PLAYING the downfall Of Paris, a hand bell rang.
and up goes the green curtain; being hauled TO
the ceiling as observed, wi the tail of my
ee, by birkle a. the side, that had baud of a
rope. So, on the music stopping, and all be.
coming as still as that YOU might have heard "a
pin fall, in comes a decent old gentleman at his
leasure, well powdered, wi an auld fashioned
coat on, waist coat with flap pockets, brown
breeches with buckles at the knees, and silk