Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-10-01
A Tennessee DOorkeeper.
BY SOL. SMITH.

In the summer of1s33 (the second cholera year,
travelled across the country ON Cincinnati.
through kentucky, East Tennessee, North Car DINA
and South Carolina, into Georgia, with small
party of recruits for my southern theatres. At
GreenyiIe, East Tennessee. We made halt and
determined to treat the inhabitants of that beautiful
village, with three representations of the lega
mate drama, in carpenter shop hastily bui TASTE
fully fitted up for the occasion.
Inc first repre- sentatIon was attended, by six !!
people, making the total receipts OF the first eve
nlng three dollars.
NV landlord, the carpenter, attributed the slim
attendance a camp meeting. that was in success
fol operation about miles from town, and reck-
oned If would hold until that broke up, sho' d
have full shops every night.
Thus urged, we held on and our next perfor-
ance was rewarded with receipt, in Cash, of tuo
dollars and a half.
proposed TO decamp the next morning, but the
printer Of the Greenville EGpositOr. (who was Oh
the free list of course demonstrated against this,
urging that third per!ormdnc must be successful,
ar it was certain the camp meeting whuld break up
that morning, and the young people all return to
their heues
yieIded--and advertised for positively the last
performance the play of WIIsm Tell, favorite
At the time of beginning, was glad to find
crowded audience IN waiting-the shop, work
bench and all. was literally crammed. One ofthe
carpenters apprentices whom had transformed
into citizen of Altorf for the OCCASION, told me that
all but FIVE or six of the people in front, were reli-
ginus folks who had attended the camp meeting
faithfully 10 its conclusion.
The performance proceeded the actors were
in high spirits. Lyme (afierward celebrated ell
Der of the Mormon church) bullled Gesler with
great ferceuess Sarnam whacked the caroenier's
apprentice with hearty good will, while the lat
ter was making a bow 10 the Governors cap on
pole FIVE feet and half high-the arrow, aimed
at the apple on Aberts head, flew into the horse
blanket aud held up as target, behind the scenes
and the play was received with shouts of satsfac-
ton by the Greenvillians. The farce was hon.
ored by peal OIL peal of laughter. while the comic
songs were doubly encored. every one of them.
The entertainment over, observed reluctance
la the audience to depart--they wanted another
song. gave them one. Sill they remained as
If glued to their seats. l went before The curtain
and thanked the ladies' and gentlemen for their pat
sonage, and informed them that the performance
had concluded. they did not move, they wanted
yet another song. gave them another, and a.
gain told them the performance was over, intima-
ting al the same lime thet the stage Carpenter was
waiting to take down the scenery. gentleman
in the gallery.(the workocncb) here addressed me
as follows; :" Mr.. Sol. Smith: SRI have been
requested to express to you the unanimous wish
OF Ihis meeting that you will prolong your season.
The liberal patronage bestowed upon you this eve
ming must have convinced you that we can make
of a turnout here and feel author
Used to say that if you will give us performance
to morrow night. you shall have another house as
crowded as this
A murmur Of applause ran through the audience
confirming the opinion oflhc speaker, and was