Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-05-25
Oks catalogues.
a TenohlnK Ineidsnt.I


went one night to see a comedy, The
chief actor was q fayortte one. and The
house was very crowded. The cuttsin
rose, and amidst burst lo6sapplanss the
hero of the piece made his appearance.
he had hardly uttered twenty words when
1t struck me something Wasgtbe matter
with him.
The play WAS a boisterou5 comedy of
the old school, and required. considerable
spirit and vivacity 10 the actors 10 sdYtaiin
it properly; bat in this man there was
none; he walked and talked like q person
in dream; his best points he passed over
without appearing to perceive them; and
altogether be WAS quite uofit for his part
His smile was gbastIy, and his laugh hol=
low and unnatural; he frequently would
stop off su idenly in his speech, aud let his
eyes wander vscaully over the audiences. -
Even when in the character of silly
husband. he had to suffer himself to be-
kicked abont the stage by youpg rake Of
the comedy, aud afterwards TO behold that
careless individual making love 10 his vile
aud eating his supper while he was shut
up in closet, from which he could not
emerge, bic contoFtiOns Of ludicrous wrath,
which had never before failed TO call down
plenty Of applause. were now such dismal
attempts to portray the passiopsi that
hisses were audible in various partB Of the
theatre. The audience were fairly out of
temper, aud several iDquiPitiFe individuals
were particular 10 their enquiries as to the
extent of the rotations he had ithAtday in.
du!ged in. A storm. of sibilatiou and abuse
now fell around the ears of the devoted
actor, and not content with Verbalsiusult,
orange peel and apples few upon the stage,
He stopped and turned to the shouting
crowd. pever saw such misery IN hu4
man counteuapCe. His face was worn and
bsgRard, aud tears rolled down his painted
cheeks; saw bis lips qaiVeriDg with men
tai agony; ! saw his bosom heaye with
conVulsiOD and suppressed emotion. and
his whole meiu betokened such depth5o of
anguish and distress that the most releht-
less heart must have throbbed With pity.
The audience was moved, and by dc:
grees the clnmor Of iuVeCtiVes subsided
into solemn stiffness, while he stood near
the toOtlights picture of detection
When all was calm he spoke, and in a
voice broken with sobs which seemed to
rcnd his heart, be offered his explanation.
Ladies- and gentlemen" said he,
Though in my acting tonight am conf
dent OF meriting your displeasuFe, iu one
thing You do me wong. am not intoxi.
Gated. Emotion alone, and that of the
most painful kind, has caused me to ell
my allotted part SO badly. Ny wife died
but few short hours ago, and left her
side TO fulfill my unavoidable engagement
here. If have nOtpleased you, IimpIore
you to forgive. IIoVed her, grived for her,
aud if my anguish can excuse fault, l
bear my apology here" ,-,..
He placed bis hand upon his heart, and
n burst of tears relieved his momentary
paroIysm Of grief
The audience we're thoroughly affected
aud an honest burst of sympathy made the
walls tremble. Women Wept loudly, and
stro'g men silently, and during the remain
der of the evening his performance was
scarcely audible, through the storm Of ap
plsuse by which the crowd sought TO soothe
the poor mans wounded feelings.
There was something very. melancholy
in the thought of that wretched mans
coming from the bed Of death 10 don the
gay attire and utter studied Witticism, for
the amusement of a crowd not one of whom
dreamed ofthe anguish that festered under
his painted cheek and stage smile. Aud
in the great theatres of life how many there
are around Us like that poor actor, smiling
gaily at the multitude, while at home lies
SORROW, whose shadow is ever present with
them in buoy places.