Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-03
THE TWO COMEDIANS.
How an Actor and Diplomat Met at a Hotel
and Changed Their Roles.

At the close of the month of JULY
1880, carriage drew up at the door 9
the Hotel de France, the most fashion
able hostelry Of Orleans, and traveller
a man of some sixty years OF age, bu
still sprightly and well-preserved, de
scended and was received with solemn
and excessive courtesy by the people o
the hotel. He was led to splendid
suite of rooms already prepared for hi
accommodation by the Gost, who bowed
to the ground before him, murmuring {
hundred times, "highness," prince anc
"excellency." and left with three livericC
servants in the ante-room ready to fly up
on his errands.
An hour later second carriage clat
tered up from which stepped a SECOND
traveller, also an old man, with a keer
and witty face and distinguished ap
pearance. His valet inquired for tho
rooms directed to be in readiness an6
was disdainfully shown two small and in
differently furnished and lighted apart
ments, against the meanness and poverty
of which the faithful servant was abou,
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 relegated to the best inn
worst room was only NJ. de Talleyrand.
In an hour or so the truth as to the real
quality of the two guests and the fright
full way in which he had mixed them up
dawned upon the hotel-keeper, who with
tears and genuhexions fastened to apollo
gize to the great diplomatist.
III pardon you" said Tallyrand, extend
ing his crutch in guise of a golden sceptre,
''but who is the audacious person who
has robbed me of my quarters and my
titles?'
"Alas, monsigneur, he robbed you of
nothing; l, like stupid idiot, gave him
all. He simply accepted what I gave"
BE so good, then as to ask him to re-
turn to me my property"
"Your excellency, he insists on retain
ing it,"
"Who is he, pray? Some old diploma
t1st?n
'No, your highness, but comedian
named Potter. The cursed button re-
piled to me: "You have showered M.
de Talleyrand's honors and titles on
me-he is welcome to mine; I intend
enjoying my greatness for one day; my
name is Prince de Pengord Talleyrand 4;
he can be Potter the actor if he wishes"
''Ha" said the prince, after a mo-
ment's reflection, THAT would not be a
bad idea. Be so good as to wait upon
his excellency and inform that illustrious
parsonage tat the actor Potter solicits
the honor of being permitted to present
his compliments and respects"
"What would my colleagues Of the con
gress of Vienna say, WONDER" con-
tlnued the prince, as the astonishcd inn
keeper left the room, ''to see me figuring
in such farce in wretched country
tavern9 Talleyrand and professional
clown! Well, this is at least one role that
was missing from my repertory, and
began my career among the seminarists of
Saint-Sulp ice!"
Playgoers of half century ago will re-
call with rare delight Potier's rare talent
and lntinit resources in creating or COPY
Ing characterize matter how difficult.
The challenge Talleyrand had sent him
put him on his mettle. though at first it
startled and frightened him, and the cd
dity and piquancy of the situation nerved
him to 90 his best. Hastily he donned a
black coat such as benftted the gravity
of thinker and profound politician, Gov
cred his head with majestic white wig,
slipped into silk breaches, black stock
ings 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.
Talleyrand's surprise was great on en-
tering to find his face, figure, dress and
peculiarities so faithfully imltated-one
might say photographed--and he would
almost have thrown up the game but for
resentment Of the comedians assurance.
Entering as thoroughly into the spirit of
his part, he became humble and timid as
poor actor should be in the presence of
6. great prince, slipped modestly into
the chair towards which which his entain-
er nodded condescendingly and STAN
mered few half-heard and incoherent
phrases OF excuse and ceremoney.
w.
pardon me, sir" said suddenly the
seudo-dlplomatist, glancing at a copy
of the Moniteur, "but there is something
IN this paper which greatly interests me.
The Nona:eur, as you know, is sort of
barometer to indicate fair weather or foul
to political loungers like myself"
"Monseigneur," replied the real prince,
L know 1t because you tell me so.'
THE barometer stands at stormy to-
day; 1t has been so every July since the
fall Of the Bastilc."
Indeed, your exceellency, I did not
know that"
"Ah, you know nothing of politics?'
IL know nothing except about COM
edy."
"True; l was forgetting. Let us talk
OF you, sir. and of your talent, your sue
cesses, for am not altogether unfamiliar
with the STAGE"
you, your excellency?" said Talley-
rand.
YES 1. When public comedies have
been played for the last forty years, who
has not been forced to take some part in
farce or tragedy? What think you. Mon
sieur Potier?"
Talleyrand bit his lips and answered
"You are right, your highness. We are
all actors, whether we will or no. IN
happily, some are applauded and others
hissed."
LAS know only too sadly, replied the
pseudo diplomatist. $50 great man as
l am, have had my experience of Kisses.
There is where you folk upon the stage
have the advantage. To hiss you, the
people must pay at the door, whereas, we
poor devils of ministers, diplomatists and
statesmen asn, can be mobbed gratis"
'This is hardly Just, monseigneur. ,,
said Talleyrand. after O. ,nomon+,. ,,o,,,a