Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-04-02

and enterprising Of the present American man
ayers WAS a scene painter at Boston Theatre.
But, though apparently devoted to the pencil ard
brush, he felt within him the s0Gl Of Roscius,
rather than Of Beverly, and secretly longed for
histrionic fame To tread the boards before ap-
plauding thousands-tO appear in front Of the
scenes instead Of painting them-this was his ar
dent but concealed ambition. How his ambition
was gratihed and with what results, is a story
too long reserved by Manager s., for his pri-
yate friends
In the course Of starring tour, Edwin For
rest came to Boston, and s. was delighted.
There was an actor How he should ike to
play with Forrest In a freak Of good humor,
fortune gave him the opportunity. Z" Damon
and Pythias - was announced with Mr.. Forrest
as Damon ; but no one would take the part Of
Lucullus Perhaps you have seen the play, If
not, let me inform you that Lucullus is the iath-
ful slave Of Damon, who kills his masters horse
to prevent him from returning to die instead f
Pythias. When Damon finds that his horse Is
dead he abuses Lucullus violently, and this scene
always "brings down the house" Mr. Forrest
is the most muscular of tragedians. and reports
of the manner in which he vented his fury in
Damon and Pythias " had reached Boston anI
cause,l the shrewd minor actors to shirk the palt
of Lucullus Thus came the chance for which
s. had long and eagerly waited. He volun-
teers his service and the great trageiian, after
critically inspecting the slight, boyish figure Of
s., accepted the volunteer, and rehelrsed
with him. The rehearsed all went smoothly.
" Here | seize you,'' said Mr. Forrest
Certainly, sir repGel s., cheerfully-
" Here pusl you of at first entrance, ~ said
Mr.. Forrest
''Quite right. sir" replied s., who was
getting on eapitally.
'' You must give up yourself to me, IS said Mr.
Forrest.
Never fear, sir - replied s-.with 5 a trust
ing smile.
The eyentful night arrived $ was beau
tifuliy arrayed in spotless tights and Roman
tunic His handsome face was whitened and
rouged His hair had been most becomingy
dressed The whole company admired him as
he stood in a graceful attitude at the wing Then
his cue was given and he walked upon the stage,
'' thing Of beauty" He knelt he spoke h.s
little lines with modest emphasis. Suddenly the
muscular tragedian advanced upon him, ike an
angry tiger upon a gentle lamb seIzei him
shook him in the air threw him from side to
side released him only to pounce upon him
again, like a cat playing with mouse : swaobed
the stage with him as if he had been a floor
clout held him at arms length amid the eager
plaudits Of the gallery boys, and al last flung
I
him in front of the prompter's box, dirty,
sore, perspiring, disheyelled, bruised, disguised
heap of humanity.
/ 50 All - said a friend, coming up to him as he
/ lay painting upon the floor. g | see that you
| have been playing with Forrest.
"No," grOaned poor s., trying in vain to
rise, '' Forrest has been playing lvith me- And
a nice object he has made Of me ~
The next morning s. Z" respectfully decli-
ned to appear as Lueullus again.
| A MODEL (ofice) BEGGING LETrER.--A good ex-
ample of the proper thing may be found in the
| following note, which member of Congress has
received from one Of his constituents, and the
/ publication of which he has permitted in the
/ Cincinnati Commercial
| 81 have been thinking whether it would not
be better for my health for me to 90 out Of the
country, and have concluded to ask for one Of
the following places The Consulate at London or
Liverpool, or
Paris, or
Havre, or
Cuba,
and leave it to you to select, as you have bet
ter opportunities to Judge. | would ike If you
would advise me a few days before the appoint
ment is made, so that | can arrange my bust
ness"
The writer of this epistle has a certain 50 fiat
| footeipess'' - of style which comments him TO
/ the unprejudiced mind AssuTeily he stands
much better chance Of success than the writer Of
/ another communication received by the same
| Congressmeu from an ofice-seeker, which consist
ed 0: eighteen mortal foolscap pages closely writ
/ aen- ard which he desired should be read 70 Cen
lral Grant.