The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-01-10
Sheridan Knowles.


OF all the eccentric individuals l
ever encountered, Sheridan Knowles
was, I Think, the greatest. Judge, gen
tie reader, if the following anecdotes
may not justify my assertion. Walk
ing one day with q brother dramatist,
aIr. Bayle Bernard in Regents
Quadrant, Knowles, was accosted by
. gentleman in these terms: "lou'rc
u pretty fellow, Knowles After fixing
your own day and hour to dine with
o.. YOU never make your appearance,
nud from that time to this not 4 word
have we heard from you!" Il couldn't
help it, upon my honor" replied
knowles "and I've been so busy ever
since | haven't had q moment to write
or call. How are you all at home ?"
''Oh, quite well, thank you: but come
now, will you name another day, and
keep your word 2" II will-sure l
will" .'Well, what day? Shall we
say Thursday next?" Thursday :?
Yes, by all mcans-Thursday beit."'
AT six?" cat six, I'll be there
punctually. My love to 'em all"
THANK ye. Remember, now. Six
ext Thursday" Gall right, my dear
s..&"w: I'll be with you" The friend
,:cDar,sd, aud Knowles, relinking his
agm with that of Bayle Bernard, said,
"Whn's that chap?" no. having the
teas, idea of the name or residence of
the man he had promised to dine with
n the following Thursday, or the in
yercsting "family at homc," to whom
he had sent his love- Upon one occa-
sion when he was acting in the coun-
try he received an anxious letter from
Mrs. Knowles, informing him that the
money-s2O0, which he had promised
to send up on certain day, had never
reached her. Knowles Immediately
wrote q furious letter to Sir Francis
Freezing, at that time at the head of
the Post office, Of which, of course. l
cannot give the precise words, but be-
ginning Sir" and informing him that
on such o day at such an hour he him
self put letter into the Post office at
such place, containing the sum of e20O
in bank notes, and that it had never
been delivered to Mrs. Knowles that
it was a most objectionable piece Of
negligence, if not worse, of the Post
Office authorities, and that he deman-
ded an immediate inquiry into the
matter, the delivery Of the money 70
his wife, an apology for the anxiety
and trouble it's detention had occa-
stoned them. By return Of post he re-
ceived most courteous letter from
Sir Francis, beginning "Dear Sir" as,
although they were personal strangers
to each other. he had received so much
pleasure from Mr.. Knowles works
that he looked upon him as valued
friend, and continuing to say that he
(Knowles) was perfectly correct jul
stating that at such an hour he had
posted q letter at - containing
bank notes to the amount of 9200, |
but that unfortunately, he had omitted
not only his signature inside, but the
address outside, having actually sealed
up the notes in an envelope contain
ing only the words. II send you the
money" and posted it without direc-
ton! The consequence was that it
was opened asthe chief Office in Lon
don, and detained until some inquiry
WAS made about it. Sir Francis con-
cludcd by assuring him that long be-
tore he would receive his answer the
money would be placed in Mrs.
Knowles hands by special messen-
ger. Knowles wrote back: "My dear
Sir, you are right, and | was wrong.
God bless you! I'll calluponyou when
| come to town." , ''.-
One day also in the country he said
to Abbot, with whom he had been ac
ting there, "My dear fellow, Pm or
tomorrow. Can 1 take any letters
for you ?" "You're very kind" an
swered Abbot; ;;4.But where are you
going?" 81 haven't made up my
mind" - .--.