Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-08-16
TOUCHING THEATRICAL INCL
DENT.

TOUCHING THEATRICAL INCL
DENT.
We went one night to see a comedy
The chief actor was favorite, and the
theater was densely crowded The cur
tain drew up, and amid burst of ap-
plause the hero made his appearance
He had hardly said twenty words when
it struck us that something strange was
the matter with him.
The play was boisterous comedy Of
the old school, and required considerable
spirit and vivacity on the part of the ac-
tors to sustain iG properly but in this
man there was none; he walked and talk
ed like a person in a dream his
best points were passed over without
appearing to perceive them, and altogeth-
er he appeared quite unfit for his part.
His smile was ghastly; his laugh hollow
and unnatural, and frequently he would
stop suddenly in his speech, and let his
eyes roll vacantly over the audience.
Even when in his character of silly hus-
band he had to suffer himself to be kicked
about the stage by the young rake of the
comedy, and afterward TO behold that in
vidual 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 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 inquisitive individuals were
particular in their Inquiries as to the ex-
tent of the potations he had indulgGd in
that evening. A storm of sibilation now
fell around the ears Of the devoted actor,
and not coutent with verbal insult, orange
peels and apples flew upon the stage
He stopped and looked around the shout
ing crowd. [ never saw such misery in
human countenance. His face was worn
and haggard, and large tears rolled down
his painted checks. l saw his lips quiv-
er with inward agony-I saw his bosom
heave with convulsions Of inward emo
ton, and his whole mein betokencd such
depths Of anguish and distress that the
most ruthless heart must have thrObbed
with pity. The audience was moved,
and by degrees the iuvective subsidized
into solemn silence, while lie stood near
the footlights, picture Of detection.
When all was calm he spoke, and in
voice broken with sobs that seemed to
rend his bosom, proceeded at once to off
er his little explanations
Ladies and gcnLrmcn," said he,
though in acting tonight, l am conf
dent Of mcri.ins Your displeasure in one
thing you do me wrong-I am not intox-
icated. Emotion alone, and that of the
most painful kind, has caused me to full
ELL my allotted part SO badly-my wife
died but a few hours ago, and | left her
side to fulfill my unavoidable engagement.
l loved her, grievcd for her, and if mis-
cry and anguish can excuse fault, bear
my apology here "
He placed his hand upon his heart and
stopped, and burst of tears relieved his
momentary paroXysm Of grief The au-
dience were thoroughly affected, and an
honest burst Of sympathy made the walls
trembe. Women wcpt loudly and strong
men silently !; and during the remainder
Of the evening his performance was
scarcely audible, through the storm Of
applause by which the crowd sought to
soothc the poor fellows wounded feelings.
There was something very melancholy
in the thought of that wretchcd mans
coming from the bed of death to don the
gay attire and utter studied wticisms for
the amuscmcnts Of crowd, not one Of
whom dreamed Of the anguish that lay
fostering upon the painted cheek and
stage smile.
And in great theatres Of lifo, how ma
ny there are around us like that poor
actor, smiling gaily at the multitude,
while at home lies some mystery Of sor-
3 XCh IS !,
them in busy places, and in solitude re-
vels upon their hearts a like ghouI among
| the tOmbs.