The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-08-25

dence would dictate" said the wifel
They turned from the window; and as
they passed the table on which Charles
had been writing, he paused moment,
as if irresolute. At length he sized the
paper and, tearing it into fragments, ex-
claimed
"No moreno m"re will write poet
ry; higher destiny awaits me- and
the fire of genius darted from his eye,
and smile played upon his noble fea-
tn es. His step grew frm-his determi-
nation was fixed. Even the watchtul
Mary was deceived by his apparent
stergth, and hopefully looked to the flu
!ure.
At the time which I write, company
of amateur Thespians were performing in
- but we must not name the place.
Charles offered his services to this party,
and was accepted-as the success Of the
Drama was rapidly declining, the mana
gnr knew that name, once associated with
the aristocracy, could not fail to secure
full house, and rcplcnish the treasury for
one night, at least.-They, therefore, closed
an engagement with Charles for six nights.
His part was one Of the most difficult char
actcrs to inpersonate i'll the productions Of
the immortal Bard--king Lear OF sue
cess he was confident his spirits We're
elevated to the highest point; and when
the night on which he was to make his de-
but came, it found him almost wild with
excitement.
Intelligence having been circulated
through the town, all classes hocked to the
Theatre; and, soon the house was filled to
its utmost capacity, with the fashion and
beauty OF the place.
But while all was cheering outside the
curtain, an accident occurred behind that
came well-nigh dispelled the golden
dreams of the manager. MIR. Mcrville
had swooned, and all was confusion. Mary,
who had accompanied him even behind
the scenes, was bathing his temples with
restoratives and the manager, the while,
was walking hastily up and down the small
dressing-roon. The call-boy announced
that the hour for the commencement of
the performance had passed; and the audi
ence began to manifest Impotence at the
delay. Charles opened his eyes, and in
moment was upon his feet: He apologlzed
to the manager for the delay he had oc-
casioned, and expressed himselfready to go
on.
"Indeed, you must not, Charles" said
the trembling wife; "you are not we'll
twill kill youn'
81 am quite well now, beloved, quite
WELL
The music ceases, the wife relinquishcs
her hold with sigh, and he was again led
forward.
The first scene is overland Charles
stands before that brilliant assembage,
some minutes elapsed ere he was able to
speak, in consequence of the vehement APP
plause that greeted him. He raised his
eyes, which instantly met the gaze Of his
parents and his much-loved sister, and he
saw tears start in their eyes as they recog-
nized him. He withdrew his gaze-the
emotions that rose in his bosom forbade him
longer to look upon them.
From scene to scene he passed triumph
antly, seeming almost inspired. There
was no acting-it was rea'i'y The audi
ence felt that they were listening to old
Lear himsrlf-such was the wild energy
he displayed in his part, especially in the
utterance of the lines,
{ Vengeance Plague Death Confusion
Fiery! What qualityi Why, Glostor, Gloster
speak -
which occasioned the most enthusiastic APP
plause, but of which he appeared entirely
unconscious. He seemed not to hear it
for he halted not a moment in the progress
of the play, and the wild hilarity with
which he spoke seemed no fictitious mad
ness.
The last scene has come. The last words
are falling in mournlul cadence from the
lips ofthe expiring king The audience
sit as il spell-Sound; all is hushed, and moth
ing is heard save the broken accents Of the
actor whose face has become pallid, as with
the hue OF death, Look--hc struggles upon
the floor OF the stage. The struggle ceases
- he fixes his gaze steadily upon certain
box from which, at that moment, were
heard hysterc sobS,
"Look on this--looll there, look thcrc.''
he murmered in a voice, scarcely audible,
and fell back heavily, as if his spirit had
taken It's final adieu Of earth. As the
curtain fell, amid the rapturous applause
Of, the auditory, those nearest the stage
heard the triumphant actor eXcaim: '.Poor
shall comfort HERO They
hurried behind the scene to offer their con-
gratulations to the successful debutanIc
but
CHARLES MERvILLE was dead!
We will not intrude upon the grief of
the stricken wife. But short time elaps-
ed ere she found repose from her sorroWs