The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-04-27
An Entertaining Companion.

Once, during tour in the Western States,
writes Mr.. Florence, the actor, an incident
occurred in which | rather think played the
victim We were Ell route from Cleveland TO
Cincinnati, an eight or ten hour journey.
After seeing my wife comfortably seated,
walked forward to the smoking car, and, TAX
iug the only unoccupied place, pulled out my
cigar-case and offered cigar 10 my next
neirhbor. lie was about go years of age,
gentlemanly in appearance, aud OF a somewhat
reserved and bashiul mein. He gracefully &C
ceptcd the cigar, and in few minutes we
were engaged in conversation.
Are yon going far west?' | enqured.
"Merely SO lar as Columbus" Columbus,
may explain, is the capital of Ohio.) "And
YOU. sir? " he added, interrugatively.
I" | am journeying toward Cincinnati. | am
a theatrical man. ~ play there Tomorrow
night | was Il young man then, and fond of
avowing my profession.
"Oh, indeed, Your face seemed familiar to
me as you entered the car. am confident we
have met before.
q have acted in almost every State in the
Urion, - said |. half patrouizing. =" Mrs.
Florence aud l are pretty generally known
throughout The northwest.
Bless mc.' said the stranger, in surprise,
" have seen you act many times, sir, and the
recollection OF Mrs. FIorcuce's Yankee Girl,
with her quaint sol rs, is still fresh in my
memory
do You propose remaining long in Column
bus?"
Yes, for seven years." replied my COM
pauion.
Thus we chatted for an hour or two At
length my attention was attracted to a little
red-facei man. with small, sharp eye, who
sat Immediately opposite Us, and amused Linn
self by sucking The knob of a large walking
stick, which Inc carried care sngly III his hand.
He had more than once glanced at me in a
Knowing mianner, and now and then giving u
slv wink and shake of the head at me, as much
as tie say, "Ah, old fellow, know you, too"
These attentions were so marked that |
finally asked my companion if he lad noticed
them.
.'That man acts like lunatic," said l suite
rose.
"a poor haIf-witted fellow, possibly" replied
nv fclluw-travclcr. ''lu your travels through
the country, however, Mr.. Florence, you must
have often met with strange characters"
We had now reached Crestine, the dinner
station, and, after thanking the stranger for
the agreeable way in which lac had enabled
me To pass the journey up Ia this point, | ask
ed him il he would join Mrs. Florence and my
self at dinner. This produced an extraor-
binary series of grimaces and wimks from the
rcd-taced party aforesaid. The Invitation to
dinner was politely declined.
The repaSt over, our train sped on toward
Cincinnati told my wife that in the smuk-
ing-car | had met most entertaining gentle
man, who was well pos ed in theatricals, and
was on his way to Columbus. She suggested
that / should bring him into our car, and
present him TO her | returned to the smok-
ing-car and proposed that the gentleman should
accompany me to see Mrs. Florence. The pro-
posal made the red faced man undergo
species OF spaSmudic commissions, which set
the occupants OF the car into roars of laughter.
$40 thank you, said my friend, al feel
Obliged to you for the courtesy, but | prefer
the smoking-car HIVE you another cigar"
"Ycs," said l, prodcning another Partaga
again sat 10y his Sidr aMi once more our
conversation began and We became quite
fratcrna. We talked about theatres and
theatrcals, and then averted to political econ
omy, the state of the country, finance and conf
mercc in turn, our intimacy evidently aifordiug
intense amusement to the fox-eyed party
near us.
Finally the shrill sound of the whistle and
the entrance OF the conductor indicated that
we had arrived at Columbus, aud the train
soon stopped at the station.
Come said the red-faced individual,
now rising from his seat aud tapping my com
pauon on the shoulder, g this Is your station,
old mau.
Ny friend rose with some difficulty, drag
gimg his hitherto concealed feet FROM under the
seat, when for the first time discovered that
he Was Shackled and was prisoner in charge
OF the Sheriff, going for seven years 10 the
Safe Prison at Columbus.