West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-23
MY Lord. "a Letter"

Edwin FORESTS career as an actor
furnished the foundation for many
stories which he told with Ireal enjoy
ment. One which was a favorito with
him ran I'm this wise While playing
am engagement at one of the theatres
In Philadelphia, he desired To produce
certain piece with fun aud complete
east OF characters. Among the minor
parts was page, whose duty it was to
deliver package and pronounce the
simple sentence my Lord. IA letter ="
MIR. Forrest had attended to all the
main charcters with his usual care, and
had a company entirely to his judg-
meut. This being the case he antici-
paied an exceptional success tor the
play when lt should be enacted. Tho
first rehearsal of the piece was called
aud Mr.. Forrest who had entrusted the
stage manager with the duty of pro-
curing lad TO llll the role of the page.
asked II that parsonage was on hand
and prepared. The manager assured
him the lad was I'm the theatre and
master of his lines. The first two acts
went oil I'm good style and MIR. Forrest
was In high spirits. At the opening of
the third act he took mis- seat I'm the
chair of family state and waited the on
trance OF the page. IL was not dress
rehearsal aud hence each actor was i'm
his every dav clothing. When the cue
was given the page appeared. Ho WA
sharp-fcaturcd, black-cyed lad, abou
sixteen years Of age. His gait was the
mixture of the strut of a dandy and
the roll of a sailor. He was clad
in clothing coarse i'm texture and loud
In color. His pantaloons was stuffed
In the tops Of his boots and his hands
cncased In pair of gloves of decided
lemon color. Had the Gorgon head mp
pcared To MIR. Forrest It could not have
more effectively transformed him into
stone. He was specchleas and motion
less. While In this condition the page
advanced, and presenting the package
said:
"My Lord, a letter"
The wonderful and fearful appear-
ance OF the lad and the manner I'm
which he pronounced the words, the
latter partalNng of the best qualities of
John O"ens rs Jdkey, the butcher fire.
man, aroused all the humorous element
of Mr.. Forrest and gazing upon the lad
for moment, he said:
''That will not do my boy. Try 1t
again"
The lad did try again and again.
hut with no better SUCCESS. He could
not master the stage walk. lie could
not capture, hold and express the
meaning or pronunciation of the mes
sage. Ii was JokCy In all respects. But
the patience of Mr.. Forrest did not give
way. He saw the lad was In earnest
and wished to help. AT last he arose
from his seat and said to the page
"St down, my boy, and / will show
you how to do it,"
Acting upon the idea Mr.. Forrest
went to the wings, and advancing la
his best manner, presented the letter
and pronounced the words. Then lay
ing Ills hand upon the shoulder of the
lad. he said In kindly manner:
THAT ls the way TO do It, my boy.
Can you not act and speak In that man
nerY"
The lad evidently struck with the
acting Of Mr.. Forrest assumed more
upright attitude, aud said In bold,
confident tone:
"If / could do 1t that way, Mr.. For
rest, wauld not act for fifty cents
night"
The answer WAS 40 apt land ready that
Mr.. Forrest could only answer "Right
my boy, right" But he did not forget
the page.