Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-03

| Ono DAY Wn1lo ne was seated IN restaurant
with empty pockets and an empty stomach (for
the treasury of the theatre had repudiated all
claims for two weeks tall, double-jointed fel-
low, with wide -brimmed straw hat and mud
dy spatterdashes on, entered the bar-room, and,
after surveying the company for while, took
his stand in front of the theatrical poster that
graced the walls announcing that Mr.. Cooper
would appear that night in his popular charac-
ter of Macbeth. He continued sometime spell
| ling the words and connecting them SO as to
form the sentences, much to the amusement OF
those seated around
Simonds had had no dinner, and it was now
late in the afternoon. Here was 'green IN, :"
and fair chance for good meal; so, he de-
termined to enact the Jerry Diddler for the es-
pecia benefit of craving stomach. He conse-
quently stepped up to the cracker, Ia name
given to the people Of the upper counties of
Georgia) and politely bowing to him, put the
first question
Prom Columbus, sir-I presume?
"Wall, stranger-I reckon you do presume,
for [ haint from that ere place" was the calm
reply, -
"Oh-ah-from Milledgeville then2'
'No-I haint from thar nyther."
"Ahem SO | thought. How are the roads
between here and Macon?"
Pretty well, thank ye, how are you?"
"Oh-amazingly we'll You came that route
then?'
mo I did Mt nyther."
'Humph may be your from Atlanta ?''
II mought be and mought' 'nt-but | amt.
The actor seemed rather non-plussed, and
placing the forefnger of his right hand upon
his forehead, he stood musing for sometime,
when the stranger asked him what he was
thinking about?
''Why, sir replied Simonds, I'm trying
to think how the devil you got into the city p
"Wall, I reckon [ mought as we'll tell you all
at once, stranger, for see you've got an enqul-
ring mind. My name is Hugh Jackson-Lve
come down the Savannah river on raft loaded
with cotton, and m going to git little re-
freshment when I'm let alone.
"Oh-ah-yes," stammered Simonds then,
looking good natnredly into the crackers face,
he continued. Il say, my friend, you re an
original; | like originals, and we will dine to-
eether. [ was Just about ordering turtle
steak and dozen oysters Will you join me p
Il reckon I wil aud thank ye too. | don't
want no turtle, though-so, LII take couple
dozen oysters fried.
Order them, my dear fellow-its all right. p"
Hugh strutted up to the bar-keeper and said ::
Here, uister-give me a couple dozen OF
fried and, while you re about it, bring EN-
along with this gentleman S turtle steak and q
dozen raw. May be we'd better have couple
o'brandy toddies, so fetch 'em along with the
! rest.
The compounder of ''evil spirits nodded to
the green un, and gave knowing wink to 81
monds In a few minutes the table was fur
nished and the twain sat down with appetltes
as keen as an east wind. The luxlres were
discussed with much ardor, and toddy followed
toddy in quick succession. Simonds told some
very pleasant stories which SO delighted the
cracker, that he sWore he must be an actor
man." a truth which Simonds most positively
denied
Evening began to close in upon the convivial
party, and, with its shades commenced the ac-
tors anxiety to know how to make clever exit
as he had to personate Hecate that night. He
arose to make speech and plead urgent busl-
ness, when Hugh pulled him roughly down and
said that he was too much Of a good fellow to
II say, Mister What s. -your-name," said he,
making forward lurch, you ain't settled the
bill, and = ,.r,,,
ooh, that's all right, replied Simonds, ''pll
he hack in a few minutes, and then we II square
up
With this he made a desperate effort and
tore himself from the grip OF the up-lander.
1.-THE bills three dollars, sir SAID the bar
keeper.
''Wan, [ reckon it is and Tn sucked in by
that feller," responded Hugh. Here's your
money, stranger, but, if [ don't get it out o his
| hide. nv names not Hugh Jackson-that' 5
ALL !"
He arose, as well as he was able, and fol-
lowed after Simonds. 1t was bright moon
light winter evening, and the funny. man
made his way toward the theatre as rapidly as
circumstances would allow. Hugh followed
close in his wake ever and anon believing out,
Il say, stranger, stop leetle-l've something
to say to yon.
| Il ba hoe
suddenly disappeared through the private door
of the theatre an entrance only used BY those
connected With the establishment, and which
led through the trap falls and machinery to the
dressing rooms of the actors The moon added
her influence to the bewildernent Of the en-
ragged cracker what liquor had left unanished
she completed, and he reeled to and fro ike a
ship on stormy sea. At length with des-
perate lurch, he reached the private door, en-
tered and cropped his way through :, the dark
passage until he came to what he thought a
vault Of the Inquisition ropes, scafold, collins,
rusty armor and human skulls met his view
his blood chilled and he began to think OF re-
treat. when he stumbled and fell over the stuff
fed figure of skeleton There he lay, half
supplied and half afraid to face the horrors Of
that Internal abode of mystery
While PROSTATE, strange sound crept
through the ART was music, but of such un-
6aIIuly lIdt Ills SGLiSGo UOCdluC AuOiC hu0
more bewildered When the weird strains had
subsided, small bell was heard to tinkle and
then arose laundering noise, mingled with
loud yells and sound resembling the slapping
of shingles together. All the demons in pan
demonium appeared to be let loose for the pur-
pose of an internal concert. Again silence pre-
vailed, and then voices were heard above, utter
ing some strange gibbersh. Two cut-throat
looking rascals now appeared before the bewil-
dered cracker Said one to the other
II think we'll do his business nicely for him
tonight Have you got the bloody dagger?"
''Yes, here it is, replied the other, looking
at his CORY hands Il want more blood, and
must have it.
The wretches walked away, doubtless to steep
their hands in blood Hugh breathed again.
After awhile a haggard old woman appeared
followed by another with broomstick IN hel
, hand. In the face and voice of the first, Hugh
thought he could trace faint, but very faint
resemblance to the man he was seeking-how
ever fear kept him silent.
''I'll be the death of that feow!" exclaimed
the first witch Such diaboical butchery
never witnessed before 1t was deliberate mur
der IF the cauldron does not burn WE'LL I'll
: throw him into it. Who's to cut Banquo's
throat"
''I-for I have to double, y replied the second
witch.
care the ghosts all ready?"
Eyes. That dagger scene was well done.
Here q number Of figures robed in white ap