Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-05-10


face.) Now, my dear, YOU know your
uucle's oplrion that good tragedy being
the highest effort of which the human
intellect Is capable, SO tie man wno
writes one might If he pleased, secure a
similar astonishing triumph In any other
and lesser line to which his gigantic in
telligence might stoop. Stichelbach's
piece is accepted, and will be produced,
they tell me, as soon as a theatre can be
erected Of sufficient extent TO do 1t Justice.
The cost of mounting II will not be ex-
cesslve e-some thirty thousand pounds.
Now, my dear child, II Is no part of my
duty TO critlcise your uncle's tastes aud
opinions. eau only place the fact be-
fore you. This young fellow has succeed
ed In winning his admiration and regard,
and TO your own kind heat aud sense of
duty commit the result"
There was dead silence IN the room
for full minute after the conclusion of
Sir Mordannts speech. It was broken
by Marigold, who, raising her sunny,
face from the hands that had concealed
Il, atked the singular question
"Sr Mordaunt, you have seen this
play of Mr.. Stichelhach's. Is IL really an
effort OF geniusl Would you, for exam
pie, class IL with Shakespeare's 70
"Ahem," said Sir Mordauut. "Well,
Shakespeare and Stlchelbach, my love,
are the lights of different ages. There
Observation-Disclosures Of ofresemblance,
striking points JOeiah's play IL in FIVE
acts. So were shakespeare's.i The Swan
of Avon wrote in blank verse. In blank
ness, Josiah equals, If he does not beat
him hollow. In exalted sentiment, II
may be that-but my friend Cornish, you
know regards as the highest drama that
which appeals most strongly, mott direct
ly, TO the general sympathies. 'Richard-
son. he ouce remarked 10 me, 'and per-
haps, Ftzball, were the greatest dramat
lists Of the last generation. Has any one
excited more emotion, provoked more
sympathy, conjured up more teri or, kin
died more generous Iesentneuls, htimu.
lated more desparate. courage, than these
great men Show me, sir, a similar mas
terry over the seething passions of any
audience in any theatre Of our own dayl
Who was 1t that first taught US the true
value and Influence upon society of the
theatrical ghost ? Why, Richardson.
Who proved that the addition of letters
and ochre-hithertO held Incompatible
with immaterial existence--only enhanced
the tilmy terror Sir, Fitzball.' And,
my dear, to say truth" concluded Sir
Mordaunt, Sour worthy Josiah seems 10
be much Of that opinion"
Miss Cornish rose, crossed the room, and
took both her guardian's hands in hers.
''Thanks my dear FRIEND" abe said.
''You have told your story. Now you
must hear ours"
"Ours !"
81 have said that, when you luckily
came In, we were about TO send for you"
"Wel" repeated sir Mordaunt, dlscon-
eutedly.
"Charles and /. To entreat you, dear
Sir Mordauut, who can do as you please
with my uncle, TO learn from him whether
he had not in his mind some marriage
project regarding me-"
" And | have doue II, You perceive,
very effectually " replied the baronet,
cheerfully.
"But-but this arrangement does not
exactly suit MS " pleaded pretty Mari.
goli, with flushed cheeks and .glistening
eyes.
"It must, !" replied sir Mordauut, per-
emptvrily'
"Why :"
DUTY, my love. Cornish expects
that every niece Such was the senti
ment, If not tue precise word, In which
the heroic Well-that Is, the immortal
Mel -
"But, dear Sir Mordaunt, MIR. stichel-
bach is all but stranger
"If sucheltach were fifty strangers,
and Charles, as you style Captain Fitz.
maurice, and yourself, had spooned and
squabbled ever since babyhood, It comes
to the same thing. If Fitzmaurise, -
added the old gentleman, rather regret
fully, as he glluced ut the handsome
eager face Of the young suitor, chad
written a tragedy, then, indeed -
"How can you say he has not 2 -
asked Marlgold, mysteriously.
81 ",jaculated the gentleman.
Hold your tongue, sir" said Mari
gold, lmpcriously. "The modesty Of
these poets "
81 never wrote line sluce l was at
college, worse luck muttered the lover,
discuntolttely,
"Do you mean this, marry :" asked
good-natured Sir Mordaunt. ylsibly
Frightening. "Can Ca-psha Cap
tain Fitzmaurice do anything in that
liuel By George 1t SC, 1t might be toe
late.
"My dear kind friendl" " sobbed Mari
gold.
cay, ay, my love, that's all very we'll, .
said eir Mordaunt. uneasily.
"But business first. IfCharlie-hang
! II, Charlt s-will give us scene, even 4
passage or so, from this drama, We viii
see what can be done. Come, sir, /
ever memory answered to the spur, nov
is the time Begin. "
The young soldier colored to the root
Of ais hair, hesitnted moment and then
said;
"My dear sir, not even under sucl
temptation can | bring myself TO repa!
your trusting kindness with hipocris.
and deceit. l never"
He was interrupted by the entrance o
the footman.
"My master, Sir MUrdaunt, sends hl
compliment, said Mr.. Jemes, an
would he happy to see you in Bis lebery
as soon as convenient
There that will give you time to sem
for the manuscript said the old geu
ileman, with twinkle of mischief in hi
eye. "Or, at any rate, to collect you
thoughts. III bring him up, never feai
But, mind you, the more hlghhowm an
tragical the better. Hang the mattel
Tone, sir, tone Is All y
And the baronet, with glance
laughing encouragement, hustled away
"Come, it Is not difficult after all
said Fitzmaurlce, gaining courage as h
marched up and down the room. "IOnt
ell
But the inspiration would not cont
; Tone, be found, was not, strictly speah
ing. the sum total of what was required
! A -. t.,F, Of eli
telligibihty, would be demanded, even ,
the enthusiastic admirer Of Fitzball. /
vain the unhappy young man smote III
forehead, and rolled his eyes in the mo-
approyed fasion. Nothing would cont
All the time poor Marigold watched II
laboring bard, following every NOV
; ment, with wistful eyes but fOrebearin
the slightest Interruption, least some II
FAINT tragedy destined to be the parent
so much Joy, should perish in the M
= ment OF its birth.
: Time however, declined, even at III
I request of pretty little Marigold,
8 slaeken his pace one Instant. 1t SCENE
, as IL the sound Of Sir Mordaunt's stel
} had hardly died away wnen he was heal
i returning, chatting as he came withsll
] master Of the house, who aceompanit
him. As they entered, Marigold thougl
: the face of the former looked bright al
encouraging.
a 81 knew your father well Captain Fit
c maurice," said the Old gentleman, Al
r regret that have seen 20 little Of his so
= My friend Drury tells me that YOU ha'
c desired more intimate acquaintanc
e and il gives me additional pleasure
learn that your visit tn my niece at III
4 early hour was prompted by desire
G seek my assistance IN a matter you ma
= yerv much at heart"
"Ahrm." said Captain Filzmaurlt