Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-19
LAWRENCE BARRETT IN A
RAGE.
Not only UnapPreciated, but Mis-
taken for One of the MuIIigan
Family.

IdWIeuC6 DdTTbJt, JuC hClOIs pld1ou
an engagement in Albany recently. II
was three years since he had appeared
here. Mr.. Barrett was never a great
fayorite in Albany. In fact, it was
said that when he played here three
years ago he announced that he should
never appear before an Albany audi
ence again. The amusement going
people of Albany much prefer negro
minstrelsy or the modern society
plays to the classical Shakspearean
characters in which Mr.. Barrett is so
strong.
The first night of Mr.. Barrett's
recent appearance in Albany was the
benefit Of j. w. Albaugh in Julius
Caesar" Leland operahouse was
crowded. Mr.. Barrett in the charac-
ter Of Cassius, received an ovation.
At last he seemed to have broken the
crust in Albany, and it was expected
that on the two following nights, when
he was TO appear in some of his strong
est characters he would have full
houses But when the curtains rose
on the first Of these nights there were
hardly a hundred people in the house,
and the number did not increase any
as the play progressed. mr. Barrett
was angry, but ike the conscientious
actor that is he acted his part as well
as though the house had been crowd
ed. Inquiry at the box Office next
day satisfied him that he was to have
ey, II a smaller holse that night.
1t was in no very enviable frame of
mind that Mr.. Barrett sat down to
table at the Delavan house, Just be-
tore it was time to go to the lheater.
to take a u Of tea. 1t so happened
that at another place of amusement
tho "Mulligan Guards Picnic" was
announced for that evening. The col.
ored waiter who attended upon Mr..
Barrett's table was very anxious to 90
to the performance. Somehow he
had learned that Mr.. Barrett was an
actor, aud he jumped to the conclu-
sion that he must be one Of the play
ers in the "Mulligan Guards Picnic.
This was an opportunity to secure a
free ticket that he could not let slip.
He was very particular to see that ev-
erytbing that Mr.. Barrett had was
Just 10 his taste. Then. as the great
actor began to eat, the cOlored waiter
opened his campaign to secure the
coveted ticket.
rs you going TO the play tonight,
Massa Barrett he asked.
Yes, sir, was the curt reply.
Oats a mighty funny play. Use
been told" continued the colored dip
lomat, land | hopes to be able to
afford to see it some day. I'd like
very much to see you in it, but l
hain't got de necessary collateral to-
night"
who told you it was a funny play?"
Mr.. Barrett asked.
"0h. everybody says dat de Multi
gan GUARDS Picnic is one of the fun
niest.
But the colOred waiter got no fur
ther. Mr.. Barrett jumped from the
table rs though a dynamite bomb had
exploded beneath his chair. Shortly
after he was heard giving vent to his
opinion Of the people of Albany.
They had no appreciation Of good
acting. He had offered them bills Of
entertainment with which he had
crowded some of the largest theaters
in nearly every city in the union, and
here he had TO play to empty benches
Aud, to crown it all, he had been
asked if he did not play ia the "Mul-
ligan Guards Picnic" This was too
much. Mr.. Barrett went through his
part that night as usual in Albany to
a small audience. But he has left
behind him an unmistakable impress
sion that be will never again appear
in Albany, unless he should Join some
band of negro mlnstrels.