Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-04
Statesman,
GFrom the Town and Country.l
PO Pill!
ANEcporE OF THE WEST, IN ONE ACT.
BY MARK SMITH.

There is fund of amusement to all
intelligent people in that important pc
riod of an artists career, the " first ap-
pearance on any stage" As far as the
fun goes, though, the joke may probably
not reach the vision of the principal
actor Of the occasion.
should like much very like to pos
sess two accurate photographs, one of
comfortable old actor, snugly warmed
into the affections of the public by long
and meritorious services, taken in the act
of relating with unctious drollery his
experience of his "first nigh" the
other counterfeit resemblance of the
same old gentleman, as he really appear
ed on the occasion of his facing the
foot-lights and an amusement-hungry
audience, for the first time.
l do not propose to indulge in auto
biographical "reminiscences of my early
woes, but on the principle that it is less
pleasant to laugh at one self than at
others, | will nd, rate true history Of
the most remarkable debut that ever
came within the scope of my experience.
During the summer of 1858, small
party of ladies and gentlemen formed
Theatrical combination" and betook
themselves to the city of St. Paul, Min
nesota, purposing to combine the laud
able objects of putting money in their
purses and enjoying the vacation in an
agreeable locality. The citizens of ST.
Paul rewarded their enterprise and la
hors with gratifying liberality, and all
the members of the company became ia
vorites with the kind Minnesotians.
Three or four of the gentlemen, my
self among the number, were one morn
ing seated in the parlor of the hotel,
when waiter brought to us card, upon
which was engraved the words,
J. G. PePHAM, IL
Soda Water Manufacturer,
ST. Paul, MINI.
together with the usual business an
nouncement that 81 the trade would be
literally dealt WITH and that strong in
ducements were held out to those who
would return the empty bottles, besides
many other tempting particulars that do
not at this moment live in my memory.
Our request that the gentleman should
be desired to walk up being duly ccm-
piled with, there entered to us tall,
thin person with long hair, and pale,
melancholy face in whose lineaments
the acutest physiognomist could not de-
tect the character of his pursuits. The
intellectual brow bore no impress that
the busy brain beneath had constantly
grappled with that class of thoughts re-
quired in the manufacture of soda water.
The dark, speaking eyes had no specu-
lation of empty bottles in them. His
careless, almost reckless bearing did not
impress us as of one who did to custo-
mers attend with punctuality and des-
patch. We afterwards discovered that
Mr.. Popham's soul was far-immeas-
urably far above his business.
Complying with our request to be
seated, Mr.. Popham commenced the
conversation by asking; (Which is the
President of the Theatrical Associa-
tion ?" ...'.. .s
The effect of the new title to our
company was great, but evanescent-
One of the party explained that COM
municatien from him could be received
by the assembled wisdom and acted on
Immediately. Mr.. Popham then un-
folded to us that, from an early period
of his recollection, he had been possessed
with an uncomfortable desire to enact a
character, but more especially that beau
tiful embodiment of all poets dreams,
one Claude Melnotte. :" The charac-
teris in play called the " Lady of Ly-
ons." "You may perhaps know the
play" said Mr.. Popham, looking at us
rather doubtfully; we all, after pause
to refresh our recollection, murrnured
that we had dim remembrance of hav-
ing heard this play spoken of at one
time or another. "The character of
Claude Melnotte,' gentlemen, is one ex-
actly fitted to my nature. I will not
conceal from you the fact that the man
ufacture of soda water, and-and ginger
pop is very remunerative-although the
latter branch of my business is not men
toned on my card (ginger pop not being
so fashionable as soda water)-but l
have determined to sell out, and go on
the stage!"
"Now, gentlemen" continued he, "I
am business man. and III tell you what
III do. If you will allow me to play
that part next Monday night, I'll guar
antee to YOU the full expense Of the
house, and give you the money in ad-
vance,"
This was really talking business, and
it did not require many moments for us
to see that there was some fun in the
wind-so the transaction was perfected,
check lodged in our hands as per agree
ment, and Mr.. Popham took his depart
ture.
The editorials in the two or three city
papers, announcing the forthcoming
event, first began to open our eyes to
what we had before us. The illusions
to highly popular gentleman of the
city who was about to burst on the the
atrical world, whose genious had been
bottled in obscurity, but who was
Thespian amateur of the first aoater,
with sarcastic appeals to the vox populi,
&c, &C., &C., with an expression on
the face of every one we met as of de-
licious anticipation of some high enjoy
ment to come, caused us to feel that they,
in the wild desire to pay Mr.. Popham,
might take it into their heads to bestow
the same honor on ourselves-for the
gentle public is capricious. 1t was too
late, however, to withdraw Mr.. Popham's
name, which had been announced with
many magnificent hourishes and the
day of the representation arrived.
The seats had all been taken, and
tickets had been selling at premium.
| 1t was on the occasion of the last re-
hearsal, that we observed in Popham the
symptoms of an indication to "funk."
The poor man had his reason, proba-