Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-03-11
A Touching Incident

went one night to see comedy. The
chief actor was fav rite one, and the
theatre small provincial one, was dense.
ly crowded. The curtain drew up aud
amidst burst of applause, the hero Of the
piece made his appearance. He had
hardly said twenty words, when il struck
me that something strange was the mat
tea with him. The play was boisterous
comedy of the old school. and required
considerable spiri, and vivacity en- the part
OF the actors TO sustain it properly (; bnt
in this man there was none, he walked
and talked like person in dream; his
best points he passed over, without ap-
pearing to notice them; and altogether he
appeared quite unified for his part. His
smile was ghsstly, his laugh hollow ana
unnatural. and frequently he would stop
suddenly in his speech and let his eyes
wander vacantly over the audience. Even
when, in his character Of silent husband
he had to suffer himself TO be kick about
the stage by the young rake OF the COM
edy, and af erwards 10 behold that careless
individual making love to his wife, and
eating his supper while he was shut up in
a closet from which he could not emerge,
his contortions OF ludicrous wrath, which
had never before failed to call down plen-
ty of applause, were now such dismal
attempts to portray the passion, that Kisses
were audible in various parts of the house.
The audience was fairly out of temper,
and several iuquisitive individuals were
particular in their inquiries as to the ex-
tent of the potations he had INDUCED in
that evening. A storm of sibilation and
abuse now fell around the ears of the de-
voted actor, and not content with verbal
insult, orange peel and apples flew on the
stage. He stopped and locked around
upon the shouting crowd. l never saw
such misery depicted in the human coun-
tenance. His face was worn and haggard,
and large tears rolled down his painted face
saw his lip quiver with inward agony
| saw his bosom heave with commissions
Of suppressed emotion, and his whole
mein betokened such depth of anguish
and distress, that the most ruthless hear,
must have throbbed with pity. The au.
dience was moved, and by degrees the
clamor of invective subsidized into a sol.
emn silence, while he stood near the foot.
lights the picture Of detection.
When all was calm he spoke, and in 9
voice broken with sobs that seemed tc
rend his bosom, proceeded at once to offer
his little explanation.
Ladies and gentlemen said he though
in my acting tonight, am conscious Of
meriting your displeasure, in one thing
you do me wrong-I am not intoxicated.
Emotion alone, and that of the most
painful kind, has caused me to fulfil my
part SO badly-my wife died but a few
short hours ago, and left her side to full
fiji my unavoidable engagement here. Il
| have not pleased you, forgive me.
loved her, grieve for her, and if misery
and anguish can atone for fault, l beal
my apology-here.' 1v.
He placed his hand upon his heart, ane
stopped, and burst of tears relieved hi
momentary paroxysm of grief. Ths
audience was thoroughly affected and al
honest burst Of sympathy made the wall.
tremble. Women wept loudly, ant
strong men silently; and during the re
mainder Of the evening his performance
was scarcely audible through the storm O.
applause by which the crowd sought Il
soothe the poor fellows wounded feelings
There was something very melancholy il
the thought of that wretched mans com
ing from the bed of death to don the gay
attire, and utter studied witticisms for tn,
amusement Of crowd not ono of whom
dreamed of the anguish that lay fostering
upon the painted cheek and the stag
smile. r....
And in the great theatre of life, how
many are there around US like that poo
actor, smiling gaily at the multitude, Will
at home lies some mystery of sorrow
whose shadow is ever present with then
in busy places, and in solitude revels up
on their hearts like ghouls among tn
tombs! a57so
| BABY PRrzEs.-In addition to the sill
yer pitchers and cups offered in Georgii
anh elsewhere, the Boston Times propos
es the following prizes: ear
| TO the baby of three months old tina
! speaks Good the most plain-a lookin,
| glass and hammer. a@ sJ
i To the baby that says 'guggle' the mos
plain-papa's watch, with mortar and pes
tie to match. "
To the baby Of Que year who has ney
er drummed all night on the small of hi
fathers back set Of crockery wit
poker. ss
I To the baby Of one year who has nev
er caused its father to walk ,hree hours {
a cold night--a pair Of glass vases.
i To the baby that never cries, FIRE
pass for six months TO the toy shops j
the city. Y
Tb&b@ f.~~~~-~~--~~~~~~ ~