Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-28
BARRETT, THE 7
A Good Joke at His Expense.
New York Nlirror.l

Inc leSSeeS oil the California Inca
ter have offered a clear matinee benefit
and two reserved seats in the gallery
for the suppression of the following
incident which occurred there during
Lawrence Barrett's recent engage
ment. The play was "0thello, and
as Barrett was making his first exit
from the stage, in the first act, a fear
ful-looking desperate, enveloped in a
bandits black cloak, with a huge hat
slouched over his sinister eyes, and
clutohing a fearful dagger in his hand.
stole upon the stage from the wings,
and followed the tragedian off in
the most approved assassin style.
The orchestra played, and the
audience stared, but supposed some
mistake had been made, and did moth
ing. In the next scene the same thing
happened. The dusky Moor had lust
gone off at the right upper entrance,
when the bloodthirsty apparition ap-
peared, and after a warning "S-h-h -
from under his trailing mustache,
crept after the star, Indignantly feeling
the edge Of his weapon as he went.
This tina the audience Uttered. The
next scene the melodramatic sleuth-
hound was on hand promptly, and then
the house laughed outright. In the
next act they watched for "Othello's''
mysterious pursuer with the greatest
eagernessa ndapplauded thunderously.
The only "Cassius' was evidently sur
prised and indignant at this undue hi
larity in front, the cause of which he
had not yet observed He managed
to proceed with the next scene, how
ever, which is the one where Iago
%instills into his leaders mind his
deyilish connections. la the throes
Of his anguish "0thello" Tor Barrett)
turned TO 40 up tho stage, The inter
loper alluded to was evidently on the
alert, and supposing that the principal
character was about making another
exit, came to time with the prompt
ness of a notary with a protested note.
As the tragedian turned to approach
the footlights again, he came face to
face with the intruder, who was
stealthily gritting his teeth and bran
dishing his knife in a manner alarming
to behold.
What in-vaFe you doing here? q
thundered the astOunded actor.
Why, the same as you-aeting,"
said the mysterious stranger.
Blue lights and calciums r.
gasped the star is the man crazy
Is this an escaped lunatic 2"
Lunatic yourself! I'm hired to do
this by the manager. Why don't you
90 on with your part and let me
alone?"
Ring down the curtain, somebody.
and call for the guard !" shrieked the
actor, tugging at his property cimeter.
What the mischief is all this
about?' inquired Mr.. Hill, rushing on
tie stage as the curtain fell. What
are goH aaiBg here, sir2"
Doing here? Why, didn't you
engage me for this piece? Wasn't !
W Hldhe up ike u cOnSplratOr ana FOL
low the principal character around on
tip-toe2 Why, here's my engage
ment, and he pulled out a writer
paper.
Why, you numbskull. that WASH
for this play. That is for the bur
lesqqe-next Month. You're ava
ahead of time
Great Gosh calculated III.
crushed sHpe $50 I am, for q fact.
Away with him 10 tho donioI
keep! rOared "0thello," who had wipe,
off most of the dusky livery of til
FURNISHED sun in his agitation; ''awa.
with him" But at the intercessioI
of "Desdemonia" he finally commute
thG septence to Budwieser for the en-
tire company lhe cost to be stoppeI
out of the supe's salary. Not prom
erty beer, mind !" he said, with 2
scowl, as he strobe off to chew soar
far the death scene in the next act.