Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-01-05

her boy into the green room to have peep
at him. lie sat down beside her. entered
into conversation, complimented her upon
her beauty, while she was all the time con-
yulsed with laughter. No one knew who
he was OF whence he came, but as the
habitueJ of the theatre had the entree be-
hind the scenery at that time, stranger
more or less WAS not remarkable. As no
gentleman, unless he were performing in
the play, was permitted TO enter the green
room except in evening dress, the costume
afforded no guide to his detection.
NO one," to continue in the writer's
words, could tell how the gentleman got
admittance and therefore there was no mode
Of excluding him. Every night he attract
ed announcement numbers to the green room
and on the nights when my husband per-
formed, it was matter of much regret to
the performers that Mathews always came
to the theatre to early or too late to see
subject whom he of all others ought to sce
1t was really surprising that no suspicion
arose OF the truth. How long this imposture
lasted | forget. but it was at length revealed
by the imposter himself. One night in the
midst of greater excitement than was
usually created by him, he suddenly stood
before the assembled crowd as Mr. Mathews.
a 'et of village clowns, or a group Of child
DR. 4 gazing at mounte-bank at fair, could
not have expressed more wonder, nay, some
thing approaching to terror, when the i'm
perceptible change took place. than was
manifested in the features of all around"
When Goodwin was writing " Cloudesley,"
he wrote to Mathews the following letter
My DEAR SIR: | am ut this moment en-
gagged in writing work of fiction, part of
the incidents Of which will consist in es-
capes and DISCUSSES. 1t has forcibly struck
me that if could be INDUCED in the pleas
ure of half an hours conversation with YOU
upon the subject, it would furnish me with
some hints, etc.
A day was appointed Tor him to dine at
Mathews's house, and the great mimic gave
him ocular demonstration of the possibili-
ties of disguise. By and by, while Goodwin
was wrapt "in the wonder o't," there ell
tered an eccentric gentleman, neighbor.
ave were embarrassed" to continue
in Mrs. Mathewss words. "and Mr.. Goodwin
evidently vexed at the interruption. How
ever, there was no help for it, the servant
had admitted him, and he was introduced
in form to Mr.. Goodwin. The moment Mr..
Jenkins, for such was his name, discovered
the distinguished person he had dropped in
upon, he was enthusiastically pleased at the
event, talked with Mr.. Goodwin about all
his works, inquired about the forthcoming
book-in fact. bored him through and
through. At last the author turned to my
husband for refuge. and discovered that he
had Loft tho IIa fharatnra
his seat and approached the window leading
to the lawn, Mr.. jenkins oficiouslv follow
ing and insisting upon opening it for him,
and while he was urging provoking OBJ
stinate lock, the object of his devoted atten
ton waited behind him for release. The
easement at length flew open, and Mr.. God
win passing the gentleman with look of
thanks, found to his establishment that Mr..
Jenkins had disappeared, and that Mr..
Mathews stood in his place.-Tsmpie Bar.