The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-22
THE DAILY DISPATCH
From the Journal of Commerce.
TIE TEAR DROP.

never pass an evening in the Green Room
oil Theatre without bringing away something
worthy oil being treasured. No matter what
part we act upon the stage, here at least we
lay down the role, and appear in our own pro-
per Characters. 1t seems as if there were
some necessity laid upon us, when behind the
scenes, to throw off all disguise, and exhibit
the true lights and shades Of what we are and
nave been. Not long ago heard little story
IN the green-room of a Theatre in Paris, which
may possess some interest for readers beyond
'he circle who knew and appreciated the mar
| rator.
Theiconversation, shared by Authors, Actors
ana Editors, had taken metaphy sical turn and
some one was trying to prove that our charac-
.ef ana destiny were controlled entirely by cur
original constitution, and that it was therefore
,,hpossibte tor US TO change. "No man, said
he, can ever be cured of his vices or evil pas.
sions; VINO ever heard of miser made gene
rous." se"e-
:" have" said deep voice a, my side. 81
am hving witness to the reality of change
you nave pronounced impossible-I was once
| a miser!''
we an turned toward the speaker; / recog.
nZea MIN at once as one of the most success.
iui dramatic writers of the day, and one whose
ii5erality was the theme of every tongue.
And whoperformed this miracle II INQUIRED
| the first speaker.
"Who :? a tear shelby childl" Here our
attention increased, and we drew around the
speaker.
"lt was in 1884" said he-"I had Just given
to the theatre of La Porte Saint Martin. a
drama. which thus far has brought me the
most money, and, twhy should not say it!I
the most fame, as dramatic writer. I receive
ed by the same post two letters from Mar
seilles. One was from the manager of the
| theatre IN that city, saving, that to secure the
better performance and consequent success of
my new piece, he desired my personal aid at
the reheTsals. The proprietors of the theatre
left the sum to be allowed me for my counsel,
time, aud expenses, to be named by myself, but
L must certainly go, and 60 Immediately. The
other letter was in these words:
"Ihe tcid0o and child Of your late brother
are tn sickness and nearly dying Of rant. A
Jess hundred francs uouid sdre their Tires, and
your presence here rould restore them back
to health.
(Signed) Victor Lambert, NJ. ID.
81 said 10 you at first, and do not shrink
from repeating it, (for can now make the
avowal without shame,) that had the finty
heart of the demon of avarice. The Phv ST.
clans letter put me in rage, and crushed
and tore it in pieces-but the proposal from
the manager required an immediate answer,
| and started the very next day for Marseilles.
My journey was one long sum in addition.
hotOO uOWH ~ u CGUtWc my c4peUSeS, eStl-
mated the value OF every hour Of my time,
fixed upon the sum to be asked for my advice
each word was weighed and had its price,
and nothing was omitted by which | could
swell up the amount of my demands. My
poor sister-in-law thought OF as little as posi-
BILE, and when her image, in sickness and in
poverty, did force itself upon my memory,
quickly banshed it. Oh! il was vile in me,
it was Infamous, for l had long ago intention
aflv i'll traa tad L {.
g Years before the period in question, had
received letter from my only brother, Ia true
hearted sailor, now, alas buried in the ocean,
informing me that he was deeply in love with
and about to marry, the daug hier of fisher
man, who would bring him valuable dowry,
made up of an excellent heart, fire person,
eyes of the greatest beauty, and an entire alb.
sence OF ready money. TO this letter, l had
replied as follows
You are in love. i, appears, and you would
marry foolish girl, who has the rare merit of
being poorer than yourself. Be happy with
| your mermaid if you can-but between our
selves, you are going to do q very foolish thing;
| if not too late, break it off. Adeu.' This let
ter was certainly short but not street..
My sister-ln-law was native of Norman
dy, which implies, as we all know, that she
was extremely proud; and she was besides,
| virtuous, resolute and especially keadstr0xg.
She never forgot this unieeling letter, and at
heart she nourished deep seated contempt
| for the writer. When, therefore, her husband
| perished at sea, when without support, with
oqt hope for the future, she found herself re-
duced to penury and in sickness, she deter
mined TO suffer everything, even death itself,
| rather than seek my aid-und she might have
| died without writing 10 ne-without pardon.
| ing me-which would certainly have been very
headsirong, not particularly wise, and not at
| all IN chrisilan-like spirt-but she was not
alone IN her destitution--she had a child, u
lovely little girl, who lay on the miserable bed
with her dying mother, daily wasting away,
and enduring the pangs of hunger, with the
resignation of an angel. Notwithstanding all
her ObstInacy. my sister-in-iaw loved her child
with a mothers doting fondness, and she soon
| saw that if she would save its life, an effort
| must be made to soften the heart of the cruel
| brother. She made the avowai to her physi-
clan, kind hearted and charitable man. who
had already ascertained that poverty was the
first disease to be cured, and to this end he
had contributed his small, but insufficient aid,
| fofhe was nearly as poor as his patient. The
physicians OF the poor possesses every talent.
bug that OF getting paid for their services
"H was this excellent man who took upon him.
SELF the task OF writ ng to me- and my arr ivsl al
Marseiiles hf was waiting for me in the coach yard
office. AS had not replied to his letter ne had
presumed, in the simplicity of his heart, that
would OF course come. Generous hearts arc al
ways thus influenced they judge from themselves
ana believe in goodness. He hasteped 90 meet Il e.
saying you have lost no time, my dear sir; you
tor saw that delay W uld be equivalent to a SEN
tence OF death God viii reward you for the good
act This unr1erited praise was bitter, but had
nos tie magnanimiiy to say it ~ns ands served-ano
!" hal lasn eser retused to be fatiered9 What ass
bslt would pass for Iin3
Ny first visit which had determined should be
to the manager OF she theatre, wss made to my sis
term law, found her in the miserable garrett Of
dnapidated hoase, situated in narrow street.
with not even ray of sunshine to cheer ser lonely
hdurs. Near the bed with its scanty covering, was
little giri-she had large and lasfrious eyes. arch
% eyebrow all eady hnely formed; nef hair pro-
FUSE. aid in careless ringiets beantu! in child.
hood, encircled regular features. full of intelii-
genee, ard stamped with that serious signation
with eally suffering gives to the countenance.
. how ssgeei wss that child even then. and how
eioqnei tiy her thin psle cheek peaded for her I
g-zed upunher In senee-i began 10 feel that here
Ia AZ cnida irresis,ible attraction, fascina
ton. which we feei and acknowlrdge, although our
hearts NAV have be fur life tius cibsed to every