Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-09-01
HOMEOPATHIC METHOD OF CURING A
NUISANCE

The following anocdoto of Talma, the great
tragedian, is recorded in a late English Jour
nal
For several weeks, each time that he played,
Talma remarked a buhchback, who always sat ia
the same place-One OF the front stalls at the right
of the theatre. This little hunchback was critical
and often evinced his disapproval Of certain points
made By the actor IN 4 most marked and inpatient
way.
This conduct annoyed Talma. Each evening he
determined that he would not allow himself to be
disturbed by the opinion of this gentleman, nor to
notice his expressions Of Observation-Disclosures would
give himself up entirely 70 his part: but this he
found was impossible. In spite OF himself, his eyes
were attracted tO this villainous little hunchback,
whose fatally magnetic gaze caused him to turn to
that part of the stage: and at last this evil power
troubled him to that degree that Of all the audience
he recognized but this one systematic and obstinate
detractor.
Talma, irritatcd. really tried by this evil in.
luence, ut length determined to break il up if DOS
sible.
lie called upon the gentleman at his own house,
and sad to him
Sir, | have come to beg a great favor of you
Of course l do not wish to deprive YOU of the
pleasure OF attending the play, nor to insist that
you shall find me admirable when | have the mis-.
fortune to ~displease you But | cntreat tHat you
Will take some other place in the house, that | may
not have you directly under my eye-for | confess
that you exert a strange influence over me, and
that your gestures, your m~dintien, your whole per-
son occupy me So entirely, that | feel scarcely able
to 60 on With my part"
~ am sorry for it!' sneeringly replied the little
hunchback " but / Shalt retain my old place! | do
not know why ! should change ii in order to rem
der you a service. No, my dear sir, l really am
quite unhappy in refusing you, but | wish to study
you quite at my ease, and | shall retain my accus-
toned stalll'
Talma went away absolutely enragel.
"Far6leu % said he but l will have my re-
venge, you old scoundrel ~
lie went to the theatre, engaged the fire othe,
stalls situated beside the one occupied by his yexa.
tious enemy, and passed the day giving them away
these choice seats-with discretion.
In the evening n gentleman came and took his
place in one OF these stalls.
See" said the ha6itues of the orchestra, "our
friend the hunchback will have company this even.
ing-his ~neighbor is delormed -
The door Of the next box is opened-a second
gentleman enters.
"Oh, an ,ther hunchback Why. one would
swear this was expressly arranged a rendezvous
Of three hunchbucks 7"
A fourth person enters.
A burst Of laughter welcomes The new conner.
lie is a fourth hunch6acki
AT last the fifth invited by Talma makes his ap-
pearance, and is received with laugytcr and stamp
ing OF feet. The fifth is also a hunchback!
Upon the rising OF the curtain the accustomed
hunchback arrived.
The audience awaited him with Impotence
they were all standing. He received a complete
ovation Of applause. The braves Numbered around
him.
Our little hunchback. pale with vexation, took
his place among his brethren, who ~,hem1clyes
laughed at the oddly of the position. During the
entre acte he made his escape, not to appear again.
Talma was avenged. aud homeopathy had its pre-
cedent of the cure Of an evil by pitching it oven
its own head with aggrayation.