The Kanzas news., 1857-10-17
The Ambitious Thespian.

An English actor, of more ambition than
talent, came to America some time since,
and was emulous of excelling in the part of
Richard the Third. He had evidently mis-
taken his forte; for with features formed to
express every comic emotion, and a fund of
humor 'to set the table in a roar" he was
obstinately bent on being a tragedian.-l
Having completed an engagement at Match
ez, he availed himself of the privilege of a
benefit, and selected Richard for the occa-
sion. He was a man of some research, and
remembered the attention paid by George
Ere ierick Cooke to the minute matters of
the piece, more especially the introduction
of a banner with the "boar,'' cognizanee
of the house of York, which in all the latter
scenes was carried by an attendant, and ell
evated Immediately behind him on his Ia
king his position on the stage. For some
days preceding the important night, the he
70 of our story had carefully examined the
scenery, properties, etc., of the establish
ment, without discovering the boar in ques-
ton. He was told by the manager that 9th
er actors had dispensed with the desired
banner, but it was at length decreed that
the same should be printed. The artist of
the establishment was a young Kentuckian
of promising talent, and his good offices
were appealed to for a formidable re presen-
tation Of the monster. On the night pre-
ceding the benefit, the "leading man. was
the life of a party, comprising many of his
brother actors and their patrons, who had
retired after the performance to a neighbor-
ing tavern. The song and Jest went round,
and the painter who was of the company,
was profuse in anecdote and marvellous sto-
ries, all bearing upon the superiority of
Kentucky, which, by his description, SEEM
ed to be the yeritable land flowing with milk
and honey. "Ahi'' said the comic tragedi-
an, ''that's the country where quartern loaves
grow on the trees, and the pigs run about
ready roasted, with knife and fork stuck in
them, crying, Come and eat mel" Now,
ancient as this joke may be, it was received
with loud applause and satisfaction by all
but the scenic artist. The ensuing morning
came, and Richard was all sthimself;;' the
supernumeraries were rehearsed, the banners
and properties displayed, but the important
one was missing. He rushed to the artists
room, and was told that at night he might
depend upon its being ready. The morning
was then devoted to drilling an attendant as
to the manner and precise time of hosting
the banner over the ideal monarch at night.
The painter had, IN fact, almost forgotten
both boar and banner, until his attention
was drawn to itby recollection of the laugh
at his expense on the preceding evening,
and In moment plan of revenge was con-
coeted. In the evening the house was
crowded, and all went smoothly until the
commencement of the fifth act Richard
was in high state of excitement, having
all but achieved the accomplishment of his
wishes. Having to change portion of his
dress, he arrived at the wing in time only to
hear the flourish that announced his ap-
proach, and to observe that his soldiers had
formed in row, with the banners edgeways
to the audience, ready to display them on
his appearance. els the boar all right?''
said he. hurriediy, to the prompter "Beau-
tiful, SIR replied that functionary. sHere
pitch we our tent even in Bosworth field, 81
began our hero. Whirl went the banner
borne by the well-drilled attendant, and in
one moment, rs if by magic, every counte-
nance In the front relaxed into broad grin
and roaFs of laughter, which swelled into q
universal shout. palsied the efforts of the
aspiring actor. He looked fercely on his
companions, one of whom he felt satisfied
had been guilty of some incongruity, and
advanced more to the front to free himself
from their proximity. Faithful to his morn
ing's instructions, the banner-man followed
in his wake. and again the yell was renewed
Approaching the foot-lights, Richard pre-
pared himself to address the audience. ia
dies and gentlemen be began. but in vain
the merry storm was up, and shouts of laugh
ter rendered his appeal inaudible. Disgust
ed and annoyed, he at length turned hi
back contemptuously on his benefactors
and facing his gallant followers, fixed nj
.,,.- .z;th asfonscbrnent and horror on fh.