The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-05
From the Louisville Courier, Oct. IL
A CLERICAL SENSATION.
Two Ministers Visit the Theatre
Incog-They arc Arrested ms sus-
picieus Characters.

| ptctous Characters.
For several days past there has been
a great deal of gossip in all grades of
society regarding the visit of two cler-
gymen to our theatre to see the noted
play of the Black Crook. 1t was at
first believed to he "a weak invention
Of the eAcmy," but the facts have at
last leaked out, and we now propose to
lay them before our readers without ex.
aggeratiOn. The accounts already pub
lished, we are assured by those fully
acquainted with the particulars, were
erroneous in many respects. From Mr..
Calvert, the Treasurer of the theatre,
we learn the following, whichis the cor
rect version of the affair:
On Wednesday, a clergyman of this
city, we'll known to Mr.. Calvert, called
at the box Office of the theatre and ex-
pressed to Mr.. c. strong desire to see
the great play of the Black Crook, but
felt apprehensive of public sentiment
in the event of his being seen in such
place. Mr.. C.. informed him that he
would permit him to occupy the box
office in front, and would open the in
side door, through which he could get
full view of all the charms in the last
scene. That he could come in at about
10 o'clock, aud the gas would be lower
ed in the office, SO that no one would
observe him, after which he could slip
out of the front door, without the
slightest danger of his being discovered.
The Clergyman accepted the offer, and it
was understood that he should attend
OH that night. Mr.. Calvert waited for
him to come, and had all things arrang-
ed, but he did not make his appearance.
On the following day, however (Thurs
day. the infatuated Clergyman called at
the Office again, in company with dis
tinguished minister from sister State,
whom he introduced to Mr.. Calvert,
stating that he had never in his life
seen the inside of a theatre, and like
himself, was very much afflicted with
"Black Crook on the brain" Mr.. Cal
vert invited them into the theatre, and
showed them all through it,
1t was then arranged that they should
attend that night, and avail themselves
of Mr. Calvert's offer to keep them from
public view. Night came and 80 did
the clergymen, but instead of carrying
out the programme arranged, they APP
peared at the door in dguise, both hav-
ing black whiskers worthy the face of
"Black Donald" They got little
boy to purchase two tickets for the sec
ond tier, on which they passed in. The
dOor.keeper at once saw through their
disguise, and behind that he "smelt a
rat" After watching them closely for
some time, he sent word to officers Gal
lagher and Seay that he had two sus-
piciOus characters up stairs, whom it
would be well to arrest. The officers
accordingly went up stairs and found
the two gentlemen sitting in the second
tier, apparently very much absorbed
in the play. They were tapped on
the shoulders by the officers, and po-
litely informed that they were under
arrest, and at the same time one of the
officers pulled the large whiskers from
the face of one of them. They were
tOrribly alarmed, and the great drops of
sweat stood OH their fOreheads larger
than green peas. The Louisville cler-
gynan, as soon as he recoveeed from his
CONSERVATION, made a "clean breast of
of it," He told the officers that they
were ministers, and had come to crafty
their curiosity, and assumed their dis
guise to conceal their true character.
For the truth of their statement they
referred the officers to Mr.. Calvert. The
affair went no further, the officers being
entirely satisfied that no harm had
done or was intended. The two
gentlemen came down to the office,
and the one from abroad grew cour-
agepus. He said, since it had gone that
far, and they were exposed, he would
take seat in the dress circle and "brave
it out" and he did so, sitting until the
curtain dropped in the closing scene.
Our Louisville divine had got "enough
in his" after his arrest, and left rather
depressed in mind. He entirely aban-
doned all hope of redemption, and was
under the impression that it would ter
inmate his ministerial career in our
city.
In conclusion, we would state that it
is but justice to the clergymen of our
city that the names of the parties be
given to the public. As to public SEN
timent, we incline to the belief that the
bold clergymen who "bearded the lion
in his den" will be fully exculpated on
every hand