The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-09-10
AN ENTERTAINING COMPANION.
a First Rate Story told by Florence.
The Comedian.

] Ahc NsAACuittn.
Once, during tour in the Wcster.i
States, writes Mr.. Florence, the actor, an
incident occurred in which / rather thiuk
| played the victim. We were en- route
from Cleveland to Cincinnati, an eight or
ten hours journey. After seeing my wife
comfortably seated, walked forward to
the smoking car, and, taking the only un-
occupied place, pulled out my cigar ease
and offered cigar to my next neighbor.
He was about sixty years of age, gentle
manly in appearance, and of somewhat
reserved and bashful mien. He graceful
ly accepted the cigar, and in a few min
utes we were engaged in conversation
care you going far West ?" inquired.
"Merely as far as Columbus, (Coium-
bus, l may explain, is the capital of 0hio,)
"And you, sir?'' he added, interrogatively.
"I am journeying toward Cincinnati /
am theatrical man, and play there to.
morrow night" | was young man then
and fcnd of avowing my profession.
ooh, indeed Your face seemed famil-
lar to me as you entered the ear. | am
confident We have met before"
81 have acted in almost every State in
the Union" said l, half patronizingly.
Mrs. Florence and l are pretty generally
known throughout the Northwest. "
BLESS me !" said the stranger, 10 sur
prise. II have seen you act many times,
sir, and the recollection Of Mrs. Florence's
"Yankee Girl with her quaint songs, is
still fresh in my memory"
"Do you propose remaining long in Co
lumbus 2" inquired.
"Yes, for seven years, he replied.
Thus we chatted for an hour or two.
At length my attention was attracted to u
little red-faced man, with small, sharp
eyes, who sat Immediately opposite us, and
amused himself by sucking the knob Of a
large walking stick which he carried cares
singly in his hand. He had more than
once glanced at me in knowing manner,
aud now and then given a sly wink aud
shake of the head at me, as much as to
say, "Ah, old fellow, / know you, too.
These attentions were so marked that
finally asked my companion if he had no
ticed them"
"That man acts ike lunatic, said /,
in a low voice.
"a poor half.witted fellow, possibly,
remarked my fellow-traEeler. 'In your
travels through the country, however, Mr..
Florence, you must have often met with
just such strange characters.
We had now reached Crestline, the. din
ner station, and, after thanking the stanger
for the agreeable way in which he enabled
me to pass the journey up to this point, |
asked him if he would join Mrs. Florence
and myself at dinner. This produced an
extraordinary series of grimaces and winks
from the red-faced party aforesaid. The
invitation to dinner, however, was politely
declined.
The repast over, our train sped on to-
ward Cincinnati. told my wife that in
the smoking car had met a most enter
tanning gentleman, who was well posted in
theatricals, and was on his way TO Column
bus. She suggested that | should bring
him into our car, and present him to her.
returned to the smoking car and pro-
posed that the gentleman should accom-
pany me to see Mrs. Florence. The pro-
! pOsAA hnaue tue fcN-AdCed ntau uuucKSO "a
species of spasmodic commissions which set
the occupants of the car into roars of
laughter.
"No, thank you, said my friend, II
feel obliged to you for the courtesy, but |
prefer the smoking car. Have you another
cigar?"
"Yes,' said /, producing another Par
taga.
l again sat by his side, and once more
our conversation began, and we became
quite fraternal. We talked about theatres
and theatricals, and then averted to politi-
cal economy, the state of the country, f.
nance and commerce in turn, our intimacy
evidently afording intense amusement to
the foxy eyed party near us. Finally the
shrill sound of the whistle and the en-
trance of the conductor indicated that We
had arrived at Columbus, and the train
soon arrived at the station.
"Come, said the red-faced individual,
now rising from his seat and tapping my
companion on the shoulder, "this is your
station, old man"
NY friend rose with some difficulty,
dragging his hitherto concealed feet from
under the seat, when for the first time |
| discovered that he was shackled, aud was
a prisoner in charge of the sheriff, going
for seven years to the State prison at Co.
| lumbus.