The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-26


actresses Till near dinner time-glving very
amusing accounts of their adventures durinu his
long and intimate acquaintance with them. He
Knew them all Z" Ike book The souther,
managers were under great obligations TO him for
"dc'ce; indeed, they very seldom made any en-
gagement OF consequence without consulting him
lie knew all the stars and principal stock actors
and actresses He had been the prime aoen, in
getting up most of the complimentary benefits
he had written nearly all the criticisms and puffs
that had appeared IN the New Orleans papers
during the past theatrical season; in short if his
veraclty was TO be relied on he was the connsct
my link between the public and the theatre; and
to Il casual observer, 1t would be matter NJ
wonder how theatrical affairs could proceed for
single week without him.
Who ,ras he?
lie knew everybody connected with the STARE
or who had been connected with it durino tho
last twenty years He dined with Emne,or
caldwell twice week-it was by his advice
that gentleman had built the ST. Charles We
nave already seen that he was ON terms of in
tIInacy with the Two great tragedans of the ape
BeI"re the ringing of the dinner bell The CON
gregated passengers in the social hall bocame
aware that the more humble followers of Tbesnie
were also honored with Mr.. Spriggins' acouaint.
ance and limited regard. In reply TO ouesrions
JHdciously propOunded by the cigar smokers i,
oecame known that the season at New Orleans
had closed, and that the COMPANY were .bon,
leaving for St. LOuis-that he was bonnd fur tho
same city, but had declined the invitation of Riu
Nlacready, Jim Ryder, Joe Field. Jack Weston
ana coi omith, TO 90 with them in the ' Alex
amer scout, In consequence OF being OBLIGED TO
stop on the way at several towns ON The river
Besides" he observed at is relief 70 no by
ones self during journey of this kind FIR
knew how it would be if went with them
long Slttings over the wine bottles after dinner
iate suppeTS, tedious stories and professional re-
mlnlscences-l am such 4 favorite with Them all
that should be bsred to death with their atten
tons" "''0''
Inc bell rang ont the summons to dinner. AZ
ter the cloth had heen removed, il was observed
that hVe gentleman remained, enjoying their
wlhe' al the middle of the table Spriggins cast
WIShiul look towards the party, but did not
venture 10 move ms chair up to the place occu-
pied by the bon virants. One of the 6ye-a
reverend looking NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that a
gentleman fingered at the lower end of The table
alter short consultation with his comnanions
sent the steward with the compliments of the
party and request that Spriggins would honor
them with his company and partake of a olass ot
wine with them. He accepted the inSitation
with aiacTIty, and was soon the merrest of the
group During the sitting" Sprggins impart-
ed the information that he was cOnnecLed ,v;fb
Ihe press, and That no was on tour through the
river towns tor the purpose of increasing the
circulation of one of the New Orleans paners
He might proceed as far as St. Louis-RiIT NJ.
ready was going to that place, and didn't know
how he could get along in city SO far west with
out some friend to take care of him but he didn't
see--he didn how people could expect people
to leave their business, TO attend other peonIe's
business jim Ryder had insisted on his GOING
Joe Field had expressed great desire that he
would go. and assist him to establish his project
ed new paper; Jack Weston had said he must
go, and OLd Sol wouldn't take no for an answer
So said Capt. Convers, who had just Join
ca the party, you are very well acquainted with
these actor folk. Mr. Spriggins?''
" acquainted with aciors Oh, mo- don't
know any of them-ha ha ha l" answered and
laughed SPriggins, winking at the wine drinkers
all round" never met any of them in all nv
life % "'' my
AT TINS moment certain "pious child" who
acted as clerk of the boat, happened to be pass
ing by where the party were enjoying themselves
>" hats that you say, Mr.. SpriggIns ?-not
known any OF the actors! Allow me to introduce
you to few; Mr. Macready, Mr.. SprigGns-
Mr.. Ryder.-Mr. Fied--Mr. Weston-Mr. Sol
9mlth-Mr. SPRIGG1Ns !-Spriggins,- Macrea-
dy,-Weston,- -Sprggins- Field .-Ryder.--
Spriggins.'
The party rose TO do honor to the introduction
all bui Spriggins, who sat in his chair, holdino
a wne-gIass midway between the table and his
mouth, the very picture of establishment.
" Steward !" faltered Spriggins, when he found
the use OF his tongue, " bring forward my trunk
i get out at Natchez''
He did get out at Natchez; and have heen
told that he now stouly denies ever having been
acquainted with any members of the theatrical
profession
IT there is any point or joke in this sketch il
consists IN the fact, that the wine drinkers were
ACTORS ontytor that particular occasion-tbe
peTsonages whose names they assumed, for the
purpose OF exposing pretending coxcomb and
boaster, were hundred miles ahead, in the
famous " Alexander Scott"
BACHELORISM UNNATURAL,