The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-07
A Supernumerary.

ager, friend of mine, by holding up to mer-
tied ridcule bis ill favored ard badiy-dressed
supernumeraries. But on this particular even
ing OF spectacular play, on the stage among
the lords in waiting was rather fine looking
old man. His face was fairly reverential, his
manner good, his costume appropriate. and
save that he was somewhat palsied, his white
wand, when In certain positions, shaking in
his hanc, this supernumerary did really well.
The manager came to say word to me, and
complimented him on the get-up OF the
piece the appropriateness of his lay figures,
and as it happened, 1 indicated the old man,
whom the King on the stage designated as
ssmy Lord Treasurer"
ooh, that old fellow Quite a dignifled
swagger. Was good actor once, so l have
been told: but whether it was drinking or
opium eating that did his business can't tell.
Anyhow, he is queer. Tells most remarkable
stories when he can get anybody to listen 10
him. say, il you think it worth while, as |
know you pick up such things, invite him az
ter the performance to take supper with
YOU"
had an introduction to my Lord Treas
aIrer behind the scenes, my invitation was
given and accepted, and this is what the old
man told me, alter he had taken bottle of
champagne.
SIT happened some eight years ago. Tell
ing it can do no harm now. Whether was
the voluntary or involuntary cause OF running
a score of men l do not know or care. l do
not plead innocent exactly. I might have
been for anything you knew inveigled into it,.
But this l assure you, if l went into it as in
nocent as a child, once in it there was no
backing out. I am fond of social life, and
that suppose has been the ruin of me. /
ought to have occupied leading position on
+ha o,oOa anH haua had Soma hriIlian+ .,o
cesses thirty years ago, but 1 never could
keep steady long, so lost ground, and being
almost starving in 1870, had to take any sub
ordinate position. There was friend of
mind, part proprietor of a small animal exhi-
bition, who gave me place as ticket taker.
We wandered around the country for awhile.
aud then came to New York, and. opened on
the Bowery. Such little gag as we had to say
about the snakes improved upon, so that e.
nally had charge of them. | stood at the
door and talked the thing up noticed one
evening well-dressed man hurryng along.
Attracted by my voice that man stopped tor
an instant, looked at me, and started as if
surprised. l had once the faculty of remem-
bering people after / had seen them, but nv
memory had been much impaired OF late.
That man passed on, but then he returned.
walked up and down the front OF the show
once or twice, and then left. 1t all went out
of my mind, for a Sunday interviewed. That
coming Monday, in the afternoon, as was
standing on the staging, foot or so from the
ground, happening to cast my eyes across the
street saw coupe draw up. / have quick
ewes, and noticed that although the blinds
were down, an opera-gass was directed to-.
ward me. l said to myself, L can soon find
OUT So l got down, and, taking some hand
bills, edged nv way through the crowd to
the street. The opera-glass was lowered.
As / mounted the staging 1t was lifted to-
ward me. Presently the vehicle drove away
It was the end of the week when 1 was show
ing my snakes-it was rainy afternoon. and
there wac barely seventy-five cents in the
room-when the same man who had passed
on the street came to me. Recognized him
at once.
Nice lot Of snakes said he. what are
they called?
sre!l you all about them, sir, 10 five min
utes,' replied.
Like your business p the gentleman asked.
what. that of snake camper? But must
wait until l fiDd BETTER replied, not show
ing any eagerness, though expecting that
something might be coming. 1 started off
with my snake stories, the regular palavar.
but my party did not seem to be the least bit
interested, for he left before had concluded
That night when 1 was going home was fol-
lowed. was quicker ON my feet eight years
ago than am to-day; had no COMPOUNDED
palsy then. slackened my pace and doubled
back on the man who was shadowing me.
1T is all right, no occasion to be alarmed
said man, whose voice l recognized al once.
1T is not all right. What are you follow
ing me for; what do you want?' asked.
4 am not prepared to tell you now, only
this much. l want man for particular
seryice-a most confidential one-a person OF
about your appearance
For theatrical business 2 | asked.
Something of that kind-high comedy.
with the emoluments of a star. l am neither
q burglar nor murderer-put all ideas OF
tragedy out of your head. Now listen. I
want you. l want you now It was or
Hester street, and be walked with me, lead
ing me back to the Bowery again. Here was
a handsome private carriage in waiting
When We got there the gentleman said; i
want you for two weeks. I will pay you for
your services quite as much as if you were
Joe Jefferson. l will guarantee you 81, 500,
and if We draw well, a share in the house
it might be $1,000. The instant you get in
that carriage you shall have one hundred dol
lars
'Your carriage looks all shut up. and 1 fan
cy 1 shall have to be blndfolded? l said
st is some domestic dramap I decline.
them
Il swear to you it is not Your suspicious.
in certain respect are right, however. You
will be bndfolded, but only when take you
into the building. l do not want you 10
know where you are going to- 1t is possible
that may carry you out of the city; will you
step in? and he opened he door of the car
riage. 1t was about IL O'Clock at night, in
November, and it was raw and chilly. Il
can make you very comfortable and will share,
OF course, the carriage with you.'
entered the carriage, in which were pen
ty of shawls and travelling rugs, and was
tucked up quite comfortably. and cigar and
a flask of brandy were offered me. By the
light of match, which was struck, 1 was
told to take some gold which was handed me
as an iustallment on nv engagement. Nv
companion was silent aud advised me to sleep
The carriage started off aud we went out of
New York. l fell asleep before long, to be
awakened, II think it was near DAWN when
we transferred ourselves to another carriage,
a poorer and more shabby one Though l
slept from time to time, fancied we retracec
our steps; was POSITIVE that we came back
TO New York-I thought / heard the familiar
SQUADS Of the city, but could not see as the
blinds were all closely drawn down. At last