Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-03-01
A Romance of the city Cells.

HoYFI INCIDENT IN THE CAREER OF A TRAMP nIs
GENIUS LEADS HIM TO THE STAGE.
The tramps whom wo zee ut the street corners,
Lisking on tie sunny side of houses or lodging
amid the stencil of the city cells are viewed at
their worst advantage. Oftimes beneath their
tattered and dirty garb there beats an
honest heart, OF genius uncultvated
aud unknown sumbers the sleep which knows
10 waking. "Only tramp" seems stamped
ipCn their very forehead and mankind ls prone
to pass them by without one kind word or
thought, and thus they in most instances never
rise beyond their peripatetic life. Occasionally
however, one rises to higher plane Of exist
ence BY some little incident or act of his own
lie is brought more prominently into notice, and
tho value of his talents enables him to enter up
on a new field of life and duty-rejecting his de-
pendence upon Others to look only to himself
for support
A few days ago an incident transpired in this
city which may lead to the infusing OF new
life and energy into at least ono of this class of
world-waf5 IL is sometimes the habit when
the cells become full of tramps that before COM
nitting themselves to sleep, a number will in
dnlge i'll song, and sometimes rare melody and
sweetness ascends from their mingled voices.
Thus it was Oh the evening in question. ballad
was raised. and mingling with the chorus was
one voice full, round and melodous-a voice
which at once attracted the attention of
all listeners by its excellence. messenger was
at once dispatched by the Chief of Police for the
manager of the Varieties Theatre, and when
the melodious strains of that voice full upon his
tar he at once asked permission and removed
the poaeesser to the theatre, and he was put
upon the stage forthwith. At first the tramp
demurred owing to his uncouth appearance, but
fhe manager assuring him he should be proper
ly cared for he consented and went along
True to his promise the manager made a
thorough transformation in his new addition Of
' stars" The face of the young man was clean
ly washed and frightened up, his nnkempt hair
which was naturally curly. was carefully combed
and rolled in ringlets such his mother had
probably delighted in aforetimc pcadilly col
lar put about his neck, other and better
clothes robed his person, while from his vest
pocket danged ilasly chain, making the trans
formation complete and wonderful. And when
the young man stepped ont from behind the
scenes and his rich, clear voice swellcd out 30
fnly and perfectly the notes of Nora Nc
SHAME" the audience congratulated itself on
this last acquisition and appaude1 vigorously
his rendition of the song.
We are not advised that the tramp, who hailed
from New York, has beon permanently added tc
Ihe constellation" of the Varieties. On this
occasion, however, he won for the place an addi-
tional popularity, and it is not an uncommon
wish of the.frequenters there that he may appear
frequently. We're tho talent of this young man
cultivated he might become famous. Those who
listened to him pronounced the melody of his
voice not 80 widely dssmilar from that OF Mr..
Carncross, who was the most natural compari-