The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-04-16
The Trunk of tho Tragedian.

Translated for the Crescent" from the Revue do Nouveau
Monde.
On fine day in The summer of 1872, gentle
man OF large person, and very important, if one
should Judge from his appearance, was walking
in great agitation before the door of an inn in Ma
pies; from time 10 time he raised his hand to his
forehead in despair; one would have said that he
was endeavoriDg to draw from thence some saluia-
ry idea. Unfurtunate-most unfortunate 20 cried
he, 10 be detained on the road not to he able to
honor ones engagement-it is terrible-it is fright
full" What is the matter, Father Benevolo I"
said the hostess; why do you torment yourself
thus!" ''Why!-you ask me whyl But, you do not
know it is necessary that should be, day after TO-
morrow, at Salerno, 70 have tragedy performed
We'll, Father Benevolo." "Well, have a su-
perb troupe magnificent princess, with eyes like
two black diamonds, and as ravisIIing voice as
ever let fall from two red lips the harmonious YER
ses of the poets" 6. In that case, why do you Ia
ment :" "I have zlso," recommended Beneyoo.
" an admirable clown, frighlful face, a wonderful
grinner-t is Heraclilus and Democritus in the
same body" "Why then again demanded the
hostess" why this sadness!'' "Ah it is because
there is wanting an essential character which
cannot find an in want Of tragedian." "The
deuce, cried the hostess, that is yexing" ''The
more vexing that my combinations DESTROYED
adieu 10 my representations at Salerno, adieu my
golden ducais which have seen in dreams! !" and
the poor director clasped his burning head between
his hands. Listen" said the hostess, +" esteem
you, and desire to see you succeed, am going to
supply your want" Ny tragedian!'' 20 :" Your
tragedian; young man of this city, who has fled
from his family to become an actor, and who asks
but the tragic dagger to become celebrated and
make The fortune of any Director "Ohi what
good fortune. Holy Virgin you then protect me
Bring your young man quickly, some one will per-
haps carry him off from me-" "The advice Of
Benevolo was useless; his protectress had disap-
peared. She returned leading great boy by the
hand. =" Here, there is your man. ." A child"
said piieousy the director, looking at The chubby
boy, "whO aspiFes TO represent the Emperors of
Rome and the tribunes of the Italian Rspublic!"
A child who will make his way" replied the
good woman in atone Of pique. " Here, look at
him little, see that attitude, see his gestures-ihat
look" Bravo, bravo, bravissimo!" cried B-ne-
volo, "you will do admirably in Othello you will
make an admirable Moor, with little bronzing
hold there, my gallant will take you as the chief
parsonage, will pay your travelling expenses, and
more before your debut here are twenty ducats
for your pocket money does that satisfy YOU 2"
Considerably" replied the child. How are YOU
cal.ed!'' Luidigi." "Ludigi what l'' T. Luidi.
gi in Short" said the hostess, this child has ea.
sons for not telling his family name, for he may be
compelled to return TO the sheepfuld. "And the
stray lamb has no fancy for it," added BenevoIo,
smiling In that case let us collect our packages
and depart. am going 10 place our first tragedian
on mule, and he will trot by our side.' An hour
afterwards Benevolo, Luidigi, and the entire dra.
matte troupe had quilted the city. The director,
on his arrival at Salerno, had it announced every
where that the young tragedian, Luidigi, would ap
pear in an important part of the play and he prs.
senled him beforehand TO the public as an extraor
dinary phenomenon of talent, at an early age The
result of this skIlfnl preparatory movement not
deceiving An immense crowd filled the hall %
representation on The evening of opening. Already
Benevolo rubbed his hand already was Ludigi
enveloped in his costume of the middle age prac-
tising, behind the curtain, the imperous and proud
attitudes Of the Roman Emperors; already the
cashier Of the company piled the gold received
All was joy present and joy TO come. But, alas
what decepiions in this world! Destiny blew up
on this castle of cards and upset the whole ediice
Six conslables entered on the scene with the cam
didate and seized his person in virtue Of an order
of H. NJ. Joachim Murat, King of Naples They
acted in the name of the family of LuiIigi, and
were commissioned to carry the vagrent back to
the conservatory of music, where he had studied,
before his flight, under the learned director Mar
cello Pervino Lord Lord so great tragedan
opposed in his VOCATION" cried Benevolo. Do
moi grieve my brave rend," replied Luidigi, press
ing his hand, :" l will take my revenge, shall be
a lagedisn in spite OF them." And my profit
LOST" 81 will hold myself responsible for all this, -
continued the child who was struggling in the
hands OF the constables. And my outlay for
your pocket money!" '' will repay you in time, +"
and the poor asprant of tragedy was led away.
" At least" said BeneyoIo, smiling to himself,
az have not lost ALL they have not taken every
thing; the little fellow has left me his trunk" In
fact Luidg had forgotton large and heavy trunk.
Ihe director broke The lock, hoping that the con-
tents would indemnify him for his expenditure.
Oh misfortune The trunk was only filed with
sand Ludigi, who understood the miseres of an
artists making first appearance, had taken it TO
give him respectable footing at the inns. The d.
rector wrote to him from Salerno: "You are a
rogue; you have left in my hands an object with.
out value. 1t will be TO your conscience con-
slant remorse, but, that which causes me the most
pain. You will not be tragsdian. Benevolo"
Luidig replied to him in the same laconic style:
:" You are fool. Keep The object, such as it is.
will rebuy it of you before ten years at twenty
times the money which have received from you,
and that in playing tragedy. Lnidisi."
Ten years, twenty years passed, and Benevolo
received no news firm his pupil. when one day he
finished by no longer thinking Of him. "The
child has forgotten me-" he said to hmself, " the
more certainly as he has failed in the most impor
tant part of bis promise. He is singing in opera
instead of playing tragedy; what folly!" One
day, nevertheless, Benevoo, who lived modestly
retired in garrett at Naples, received the follow
ing lines Come and see me Immediately, my old
fellow, and bring the trunk filled with sand; will
pay you for IT, Here are five hundred francs to
pay your travelling expenses. Luidigi, Bicheleu
street, l02, Paris"
Benevolo nearly went mad he made no prepa-
ration, took nothing but the reclaimed trunk, and
after some days arrived in Paris, where his ancient
tragedian clasped him in his arms. Here, my
old friend" said Luidigi, who had become of an
enormous rotundity take this contract for rent Of
1900 francs it is The ransom Of my trunk Of Sslsr