Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-23
An Actors story.

Nor many years ago one of the most
successful and enterprising Of the present
American managers was q scene paintera'
a Boston theatre But, apparently devot-
cd to the pencil and the brush, he felt
within him the soul of Roscius, rather
than of Beverly, and secretly longed for
histriQnio fame. To tread the boards before
applauding thousands--to appear in front
OF the soenes instead Of painting them
this was his ardent but concealed ambition.
How his ambition was gratifled, and with
what results, is story TO long reserved by
Manager S. for his private friends.
In the course of q. starring tour, Edwin
Forrest came 20 Boston, and s. was de-
lighted There was an actorl How he
should like to play with Forrest I, In q
freak of good humor fortune gave him the
opportunity. damon and Pythias was
announced, with Mr. Forrest as Damon 3
but no one would take the part of Lucul.i
lus. Perhaps you have seen the play If
not, let me inform you that Lucullus Is the
faithful slave OF Damon, who kills his
masters horse to prevent him from return
ing to die instead of Pythias. When Da-
mon finds that bis horse Is dead he abuses
Lucullus violently, and this scene always
brings down the house." Mr.. Forrest Is
the most muscular Of tragedians, and re.
ports of the manner in which he vents his
fury in "Dhmon and Pythias " had reach
ed Boston, and caused the shrewd minor
actors TO shrink the part of Lucullus.
Thus came the chance for which s.
had long and eagerly waited. Hevolun.
teered his service; and the great tragedian,
after critically, inspecting The slight, boy
ish figure of S., accepted the volunteer
and rehearsed with him, The rehearsals
all went smoothly.
Here seize you," said Mr.. Forrest.
fully. t ~ -. ~. -
Here | push you off at first entrance
said MIR. Forrest, f
"Quite right replied s., who was
getting on oapitally.
You must givcup yourself to me, /" said
| Mr.. Forrest"
Never fear, sirp replied s., with
a trusting smile.
The eventful night arrived. S. was
beautifully arrayed in spotless tights and
a Roman tunic. His handsome face was
whitened and rouged His hair had been
most becomingly dressed. The whole
company admired him as he stood in a
graceful attitude at the wing. Then the
cue was given and he walked upon the
stage, "a thing OF beauty" He knelt he
| spoke his little lines with modest emphasis.
Suddenly the muscular tragedian advanced
upon him like an angry tiger upon gen
tie lamb; seized 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 a mouse, swsbbed the
stage with him IS If he had been floor
clout; held him at arms length, amid the
eager plaudits of the gallery boys, and at
last flung him out of sight at the first en-.
trance, and landed him in front Of the
prompter's box. q dirty, sore, perspiring,
disheVelled, bruised, disgusted heap Of hu.
menity. l.,.
"Ah /" said a friend, coming up to him
as he lay painting upon the floor. " see
that you have been playing with Forrest
mo-" grOaned poor S., trying In
vain to rise Forrest has JeeR playing Ssit1
M! And nice object he has made OF
mel" f.ihh
The Dext morning s. respectfully
declined" to appear as Lucullus again.