The constitutional union., 1861-02-15
THE SECOND PLAYER;
  Wear and Tear of an Actors Life.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

|
 I said would tell you my story. We'll, to begin, was born in this town of Burnton, something less than sixty years ago. My father was small tradesman. and sent me to the best school he could afford till I was a l little over thirteen. l used to recite on the | public days in the school, and repeat Latin and Greek oratons, of which the meaning was not little obscure even to me what it must have been to my hearers I don t know My father took me away from the shop. He was a tailor. 1t worried me to death to sit hour after hour, stitch, stitch, stitch and I used to beguile the time by re- citing and reading to the few men my father employed and they did my share of the work in return for the amusement 1 afforded | them.
 At the age of fifteen 1 took part in some private theatricals in the town, and found the hustle of preparation much more pleasant than the dull shop work. They went off we'll, and when next the player cane to the town, went to the manager and asked him to take me- He laughed, for l was fit for nothing Of course was too big for page, and too little for man-at-arms; too young for first, sec ond, or even third lover; and too old for any accidental boy parts. I was disappointed, but soon had to leave the then detested shop. My father was of rather a serious turn. He heard of my going to the manager, and locked me up, then about sixteen, and fed me on bread and water This was rather too bad so 1 took French leave, and when the bread and water came one morning, there was no one to eat 1t. 1 was pleased to find myself with pair of socks and clean shirt wrapt up in d handkerchief, about to face the world, and try to wiring the hard-held honors from stern fortunes head. Still, was young then i 1 need scarcely tell you that sitting here 1 often regretted that fine May mornings work that took me from home.
 l went to one town after another, and at each sought out the manager of the theater, and tried to get in as anything. It was no use my voice was not yet set or certain "Why, young sir, said one to me, you are as slim as a girl, and if you were to make love in the tone you've been talking to me- the people would insist that I had made a girl play the lovers part. I'd take you, but you are no use to me at all; two years hence you may come again, and l may talk to you ,
 1 felt it was true, but still wanted to be in a theater, so 1 entered travelling circus com pany as holder and ring-maker. 1 kept at it for eighteen months, and then the manager joined another in the regular acting line. Now was my chance. They wanted lover, and wanted him to ride; their first lover could nc more sit on a horse than sack could the first lady saw him once, and said she should die with laughter if he came on, so 1 offered 1 did we'll, and thought was on the road to fortune; 1 felt that Kemble and the rest of the great actors were only the same man as I was, with better chances. That is more than forty years ago, though. I'm wiser now
 After this success 1 became first gentleman in that company, and remained so for many years The manager took the leading parts so had no chance had changed my name first, as Bowling did not look we'll on the bill and next, because did not want to hurt my poor old fathers feelings more than could help-I took the name of Alphonsus Mon tague It looked well on the bills, I used tc think at one time. Somebody, forget who says, s' W hats in name ?" I know there is a good deal in name when it's on the play bills; and the public being judge. Alphonsu' Montague was better than James Bowling for it drew better houses.
 In the company there was ayoung girl who took second lady. l don't say 1 fell in lovt