Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1844-12-25

| "Dut Inc income mats Tue pOlLl' DO
you make as much, in your present line OF
life, as you did in managing theatres?'
"WeIl," responded, 'that is somewhat
doubtful, but in management there are
thousand cares and vexations which now
escape; and if my iucome is not quite so
large, it is now fixed and certain-nay sal
arg being sure"
'Ah! yes" chuckled the landlord, 81 be-
lieve all Of you take pretty good care
about the salary, and it is all right you
should; 'the laborer is worthy of his hire.
But how do you look ROlU upon the moral
ity ofyour past life?"
"Why," as to that | answered, sit is
not for me 10 speak. | have endeavored
to do what was right in all my transac-
tons, as manager and actor, and | assure
you do not look back with any regret on
my past life"
"Well, come, | like you all the better
for that always told my neighbors that
you never would 'run down. your former
profession; and believe you are honest
in your present course" said the landlord,
'and will now proceed to business
was somewhat mystified, | confess,
with the conduct and conversation of my
landlord, but determined to wait patiently
for a so solution of his meaning.
Giving his chair an extra hitch, and as
Stunning more serious air, the landlord,
"came to the point" by saying:
''The fact of the matter is just here; the
citizens of B, hearing of your arrival,
have expressed an ardent desire-they
have hope, indeed "a wish, | may say,
unanimous wsh-that is if you've no OBJ
iections--and | am commissioned to re-
quest, solicit, that you will stop here to
night, and HOLD FORTH at the court
house"
"Hold forth at the court house?" echoed
|, what! give an entertainment? impossi-
bIe-I am announced at Memphis for to-
morrow night, and must 60 on in the
stage"
"My dear sir" persisted the commission
err from the inhabitants of B, ''you
cannot conceive how anxious we all are
to hear you-indeed, indeed, you must
crafty them, you cannot imagine the ex-
element your arrival has caused, and the
people are determined to have you stop
and"
at IS out of the question" l remonstra-
ted. "My engagement at Memphis is i'm
perative; must be there to morrow"
$50 you shall be, my dear sir" anSwer-
ed my host, eve have arranged all that.
Before ii was decided on TO let the stage
go without you"
"What!' exclaimed in alarm, "has the |
coach departed, and left me hero to"
"Been gone three quarters of an hour"
replied my determined friend, deprecating-
Iy, shut don't be alarmed; Squire Jones
has agreed TO hitch up team of horses to-
morrow morning, before ay-lIght, and by
two o'clock you'll see the Mississippiriyer.'
In the early part of my professional life
| had beencompelled, as have said else
where, ''to give entertainments" SOLITARY
and alone" but for several years | had
abandoned this disagreeable mode of nrais-
ing the wind" and hoped should never
be compelled to resort to it again; conse-
quentIy, | felt great repugnance to the
proposition of the citizens of B. Lee.
TUREs had not at that time come iuto
vogue, else might have easily Judged up
something for the occasion. Songs and
recitations were all | could depend on for
the entertainment of an audience.
After a moments reflection, during
which, took into consideration the fact
that my means of proceeding on my Jour
ney were cut of. (by "pous fraud" as
the landlord called it, and that my finan-
ces were in state that required replen-
ishing, suddenly enquired of the land
lord aOhat | acould make by the operation ?
"Why, as to that" he readily answer
ed, 81 can't exactly say; but am sure our
citizens will be liberal; one thing can
assure you of, you will have the greatest
congregation ever assembled in this burg."
"But there is no notice given" ar.
gued.
"Isn't therel'' triumphantly enquired the
landlord, ''just step to this window, if you
please"
1t did please me to step to the window
and look out, but cannot say much for
the pleasure | experienced when | saw a
crowd around the court house door, which
stood but few PAGES off, reading a writ
ten placard, two lines of which only could
| decypher, one of which was
''SOL SMITH,"
and the other,
"TIIIS EVENING""
This seemed to settle the matter, con-
cluded to GIVE THE ENTERTAINMENT. and
trust to Squire Jones' horses and wagon
for the fulflment of my engagement at
Memphis on the morrow.
To my suggestion that some little gift
ting up" of the court house would be re-
quired, my accommodating entertainer cut
me short by saying