Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-03
THE TwO COMEDIANS.
How an Actor and a Diplomat Net at a
Hotel and Changed Their Roles.

49, - -
the Hotel de France, the most fash
ionable hostelry of Orleans, and
traveller, a man some some sixty year
of age, but still sprightly and wei
preserved, descended, and was wei
received with solemn and excessiv,
courtesy by the people Of the hotel
He was led to a splendid suite O
rooms already prepared for his accom-,
mediation by the host, who bowed tc
the ground before him, murmuring q
hundred times, "~highness, prince
and "cxcellency," and left with three
liveried servants in the ante-room
ready to fly upon his errands.
An hour later a second carriage
clattered up, from which stepped Il
second traveller, also an old man, with
a keen and witty face and a distin-
guished appearance. His valet in
quired for the rooms directed to be
in readiness, and was disdainfully
shown two small and indifferently
furnished and lighted apartments,
against the meanness and poverty OF
which the faithful servant was about
to lift up his voice, when he was
silenced by an imperious gesture from
his master.
The Prince" was the actor Potter
and the traveller relocated to the best
inns worst room was only NJ. de Tai
leyrand.
In an hour or so the truth as to the
real quality of the two guests and the
frightful way in which he had mixed
them up dawned upon the hotel
keeper, who, with tears and genuhec-
tions, fastened to apologize to the
great diplomatist.
81 pardon you" said Talleyrand
extending his crutch in guise of a
golden scepter, but who is the auda-
ciOus person who has robbed me of
my quarters and my titles
Alas, mOnseigneur, he robbed you
of nothing-l. like a stupid idiot, gave
him all; he simply accepted what |
gave
lie so good, then, as to ask him TO
reSuin 70 me my property"
Your excellency, he insists on re-
tanning it,"
Who is he, pray? Some old
diplomat;st2
mo, your highness, but a comedian
named Potter. The cursed buffoon
replied to me: You have showered
NJ de T~alleyrand's honors and titles
on me-he is welcome to mine | in
tend enjoying my greatness for one
day my name is Prince de Perieord
Tallt! and he can be Potter the
actor. il be wishes to-
"Ha! said the prince after a mo-
ments reflection, that would not be
Ia bad idea. BE so good as to wait
uOon his excellency and inform that
ilmstrious parsonage that the actor
Potter solicits the honor Of being per.
LAitted to present his compliments and
.csDccts.
What would my colleagues Of the
congress OF Vienna say. | wonder.
continued the prince, as the astonished
inn keeper left the room, " TO see me
figuring in such a farce in a wreSchcd
country tavern? TaIleyrand and a
professional clown Well, this is at
least one role that was missing f.,oul
my repertory and | began my caresr
lmopg the sewiDarists of Saint Sui
pice!
Playgoers of half a century ago win
recall with rare delight Posters rare
talent and in6Dite resources in Great.
'ng or copying a character, no matter
how difficult. The challenge TalIey-
rsnd had sent him put him on his
metpe, though at first it started and
frightened him, aud the oddity and
~piqua1cy of the situation nerved him
% do his best. Hastily he donBed a
inc black coat, such as beGtted the
s6.l,ty Of a thinker and profound
politician, covered his head with al
majestic white wig, slipped into silk
breeches, black stockings and gold.
buckled shoes, caught up a cane in
lieu of a crutch, and placing a bunch
Of decorations at his button hole.
babe the servant show in the actor
Potter.
Talleyla1d's surprise was great ON
entering to find his face, figure. dress
and peculiarities so faithfully initiated
-one might say photocraphed-aqd
he would almost have thrown up the
same but for resentment Of the come
dians assurance. Entering as thor
Oughly into the spirit of his mrt. he
became humble and timid as a poor
actor shoRll be in the presence of a
great prince, slipped modestly iuto
the char towards which his enter
tainer nodded coadescendingly, and
stammered a few half heard and in
coherent phrases Of excuse and cere-
mony.
Pardon me, sir said suddenly
the seudo-diplomatist, glancing at a
copy OF the Moniteur, but there i,
something in this paper which preatl,
Interests me. The Moniteur. as Won
know, is a sort of barometer TO indi
cate fair weather or foul to politica.
loungers IKE myself"
Monsiegneur,' replied the req.
prince, 81 know it because you tel
me So.
The barometer stands as stormy
to-day it has been so every Jul,
since the fall Of the Bastile."
Indeed, your exccllency; | die
not know that"
an, you know nothing Of poll
comedy"
True ; | was forgetting. Let n
talk Of you, sir, and of your talent
your successes, for | am not altopethe
unfamiliar with the stage"