The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-03

for?" e5ys tss ~. iglilrU
''To act, OF course. If it had not been
for my success in Sir Lucius ,O'Trigger.
as Lady Sook,s, 1 might have been hanged
before ever I'd have been a guest in this
elegant establishment Oh, there's no
body does anything for nothing, in this
world"
There was undoubtedly sediment of
truth at the bottom of this frothy cynicism
OF O'Brian's; for on the following day, the
subject of private theatricals was quietly
broached in my presence by the Misses
Wlnton; and it soon became evident that
their heads, and those of a majority of their
guests, were running upon nothing else, 80
that, even if the drama had not been my
particular hobby, my sympathetic nature
would probably have been carried away by
the general excitement.
My theatrical tastes had never yet led me
to take part in any performance; and,
indeed, of the ladies and men forming the
present company, Ada Dart and O'Brian
were the only two who were not about to
make their first appearance upon the stage.
vi course these experienced members took
prominent lead, besides being necessaril,
drawn together in a confidential way which
it was very unpleasant for me to witness
Jealousy and envy so stirred my bile that I
was inclined to regret the good old days of
duelling, when might haveRpicked quar-
rel with my rival, and so had q chance of
removing him fl ON my path. But the way
In which the odious Irishman knocked over
the pheasants and rabbits, and the particu-
lar snapshot fired from the hip. which was
fatal to the woodcock, forced me to own
that there was deep truth in the ingenious
assertion so constantly repeated in news
paper articles, that private combat is
'cowardly practice"
But had my turn of being placed en-
rapport with the enhancing Ada. The fine
old hall of Winton Park was to be our
theatre, and 1T was LILY particular province
to take the best advantage of the many nat
ural facilities of the place; to arrange about
the scenery; to find out what we're the
proper dresses for the plays we were about
to perform, &C.. and, Ada Dart being the
only person whose counsel was of real SER
vice in a case of difficulty, I was perpetually
obliged to appeal to her. Dangerously in
toxcating were those conferences, which. I
confess, prolonged needlessly; indeed, I
used sometimes to get up vexatious oppo-
sltion to her wishes, i'll order to give our
discussion matrimonial flavor. Heigh-ho!
The plays selected were 1.-The Belle of
Penzance," followed by the farce of "Eyes
and Nose;" and tho distribution of parts
was work for Job or Solomon, most OF the
company at first declaring their utter ina
bility to take the simplest characters, and
coming round gradually to demanding the
principal roles. At our first general meeting
it really seemed doubtful whether it would
be possible to cast the mildest and lightest
OF pieces in the English repertoire; but at
the end of o fortnight, If 'iOthello" could
have been rewritten with three Moors, four
Desdemonas and two lagos, our little COM
pany chad stomach for them ALL" When
we came to actual trial, however, the powers
of each performer got to be estimated by
the others at somewhere about their right
value, and we settled into our places accord
iugly.
was cast for Fortescue, which was too
prominent part for my taste; for besides
that, on principle, very much prefer that
other people should amuse me to reversing
that proceeding-I hated having 80 much to
learn by heart.
That was another odd effective all
seemed to have gone back to school. At
every turn in the house or grounds YOU
would come upon young lady or gentle
man, with knotted brows, and eyes fixed on
either earth or sky, muttering. 'I say,
Chevers, Just hear me my part, like good
fellow Capt. Seymour would say. Then
yonng lady would make similar request,
and put her hands behind her back while
repeating her task, from sheer force of as
sociation. Two to one if, when playing at
billiards. the striker, after nsing the long
rest, said: Just give me my cue, please;"
some exclaimed, "Hark, they GOMEZ" or,
"But more of this anon;" or, eve will
speak further upon the matter"
In little time matters began to run
smoothly, and we had our first rehearsal.
BY recalling to mind the different actors I
had seen in my part, and in endeavoring to
initiate them, L succeeded better than I had
anticipated, and gained considerable ap-
plause. But" said O'Brian, ''you must
shave, you know. The idea of Fortescue
with those whiskers is too absurd"
Now, my whiskers were black, pendant,