The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-12
pailp argus.
LIFE ON THE STAGE.


Never judge the name by the profession,
nor the character by the coat. The ballet
girl may wipe tear from her eye before she
appears at the foot-lights to delight an audi
ence BY her gayety-the Jester may carry
the saddest heart of all the compAny-the
roughest coat often covers the largest heart,
and the thOughtless buffoon may be living
for the accomplishment of purpose that
would dsunt the stoutest heart of ,he most
thOughtful, for aught those who admire, ap
plaud, and as soon forget may know. Life
on the stage is, at best, hard one, and pub
hc interest in the actor is measured BY the
actors superior talent, or the knowledge tie
public may have of his purpose and necessi-
ties. 1t was both of these that made Clara
Kellogg such favorite. IL is both of these
that ills the halls for Mrs. Jas. A. Oates,
whenever she appears in Cincinnati. For
rest draws by the deep, clear brilliancy of
his genius, Booth by his apt conception of
the power of association and the lavish pro
fusion that surrounds him on the stage, but
abont those who have q nobler purpose,
thare is a more po'ent charm than genius or
wealth can supply. We're the history of
Lisa Weber, from the time she left Englsnd,
as well known as has been told to US, there
would not be standing room in Darts Hall
this evening-but it is not of her we would
speak. There is one in her company so
remarkable, with character and purposes so
different from the part he plays SO we'll,
that TO expose him, may be to tread upon
superstitious, if not sacred ground. Those
who have visited the performance since they
have beeu in the place may have been sur.
prised at the unnatural conrortions of feA-
and may have said as we have
heard remarked, His face is his fortune
But did they know, ss we have learned, all
they would instead, say, Fate. Wessre nj
believer in superssitiols, nor are we soofe'
at those whose lives seem fgoverned by &
strange fatality. you know how it is your
self" there are many things done among
Spiritualsts that no practical philosophy car
account for. Is is not to parade the mis-
fortune of others or to make light of others
feelings that we mention this matter, bu
only relate it as one of those strange fan
tastes
that shape our ends,
Rough hev them may"
1t is said that this power of oontortion i
entirely unnatural, and is produced by
very singular occurrence. At stated inter
walls, whenever there is any unusual dis
turbauce fthe elements, if he is in the ope
air, whatever covering he may have upo
his head is rudely lifted of and borne ava,
and wherever t,alights it Immediately b.
comes impAlpAble to touch and iu il
place appears strange compound whic
cannot be produced by any process know
10 science. The repetition of this occu
renee, and the feelings experienced by h
hand coming in contact with this myster
GUS substance has SO changed the natur,
functions of the muscles of his face ss t
enable him to prod uce the changes of cour
tenAnce so hideOus and yet amusing, as e1
hibited on the stage. That q man
such powerful intellect should make III
of his fate to gain his daily bread will pr
sent curious SUBJECT Of study and invest
cation to those interested in such matter
Another strange thing connected with th
affair is that only to him is the substance tn
takes the place of whatever is taken from
head visible or peroeptibe. This may ver
upon some, as yet, uue1plAinsble soienc
bl; it certainly is no necromanoy, ss Il
occurrence actually took place in this CT
night before last in the full view of sever
citizens, .wo Of whom say they distinctly So
HI, ha. lesvs his head and 60 straight up Of
Of sight, and strange TO say has not bee
sesn since, although be insisted that 1t oau
down again by his side. They saw hil
reaoh TO pick it up telling them 1t was ther
They could not see it, although they did ST
a deep dark color cover his hand for q
instant only and then it slowly disappeared
We have only related the story as "
learned it from his own lips, and the fact I
it actually occurred here, and will n
attempt any explanation. 1t will certain
surround his acting with interest to thos
who desire to see him for the sake of inve
tigstion. The actor, Mr. Ketchum, is, whe
talking upon other Subjects, very clev
aud we'll informed mau, aud on this subje
is very positive though ready TO answer
questions NO. prompted by idle curiosity.
|