Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-28


most plainly that we have men in
this city who would not hesitate to
walk up to a lady in the parlor and
spit in her face. They have done
worse. AS offensive a thing as a
rotten egg has been thrown at them.
Not one, but dozens.
Both Mr.. Forester and his cour-
ageous wife came before the cur
tain, but their appearance seemed
only to intensity the motive Of the
ruffians who were intrenched in
the gallery. The eggs fell and
burst all around and about them.
He attempted to speak, but was
hooted at. Here, however, his
friends came to the rescue, aud a
burst Of applause came forth that
completely drowned the obnoxious
sounds. Mr.. Forester was told to
proceed with his play. Several
gentlemen stood and addressed the
crowd. Mr.. Forester implored
those who were ladies and gentle
men to keep their seats. People
ran up and down the steps. Sew
eral of the attaches of the theater
rushed into the gallery. They
were thoroughly egged. One man
is said to have drawn a brick on
Mr.. Alonzo Forester, but Mr..
Joseph Frank caught the rascaPs
arm and prevented his carrying into
effect his hellish project. Three or
four messengers were sent out to
find a policeman, but no one was
to be found fo- fully fifteen min
utes. When the police arrived the
excitement had about died out,
There was at least no further dis.
turbance. The play proceeded tc
the end, and not even a hiss was
heard.
The nerve displayed by the mem.
bers of the troupe was something
to command the highest commen
dation. The ladies are especially
to be commended. The siege wal
one to try the strongest. They
were all a quiver behind the scenes
but when they came before the au
dience they seemed as cool and col
lected as if nothing had transpired
| The last scenes were enacted will
as much precision as any of tbC
preceding ones had been. Wher
the curtain fell some one proposed
three cheers for Mr.. Forester, ant
the whole house rang with cheer
and hand-clapping. Loud call
were made for him, and when h
came before the footlights he wa
given a reception that must hav
made his heart bound with Joy
notwithstanding the affront whicl
had been offered him.
The play closed at a few minute
pastreleyen, and the audience wen
out as quietly as it would have gon
out of church. 1t is safe to sa,
that not a half-dozen persons wen
away because of the difficulty.
Two of the men said to hay,
been identified with the disgracefu
affair were arrested, but the polio
lin their wisdom refused to Civ
their names. The men say tha
they took no part in the egging
| but that they know whodid. Their
are said to have been about six o
the men who lent themselves t,
active participation in the egg bust
| ness.
1t is said that the affair grew ou
of the dislike Of the Irish citizen
of Denver to the play. If it did
all we have to say is that this doe
not palliate the crime. If they dis
like the play they might hay,
stayed away from it. They nigh
have Missed the piece, but no us,
to basely insult not only Mr.. For
rester but hundreds of respectable
citizens. Threats were made agaius
the play for tonight. Let the city
authorities and the citizens see thai
| they are not carried into execution