The Osceola times., 1881-06-25
4 MAD ACTOR.
How . Hotel walter Reused the wrath sS
Lawrence Barrett

Lawrence barret.1
Alba y Cor. New Y rk sun.
Lawrence Barrett, the actor, played an
engagement in this city last week. II
was three years since he had appeared
here. Mr.. Barrett was never q great
favorite in Albany. In fact, it was said
that when he playad here three years
ago he announced that he should never
appear before al Albany audience again
The amusementgo going people of Albany
much prefer negro minstrelsy or the
modern society plays to the classical
Shakespearian 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 Cesar" Leland
opera house was crowded. Mr.. Barrett,
in the character of Cassus, 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 strongest characters, be would
have full houses But when the curtain
rose on the first Of these nights there
were hardly hundred people in the
house, and the numbers did not increase
any as The play progressed. Mr.. Barrett
was angry, but like The conscientious act
or that he is he acted his part as vel as
though the house had been crowded.
Inquiry at the box office late the next
day satisfied him that be was to have
even q smaller house that night.
1t was in no very envIable frame OF
mind that Mr. Barret sat down to table
in the Delavan house, just before it wa
time TO 60 to the theater, to take a cup
Of tea. 1t 80 happened that at another
place OF amusement the Null gan
Guards Picnic" was announced tor thai
evening. The colored waiter who at.
tended upon Mr.. Barretts table was very
anxious to go to that performance. Some
how he mad learned that Mr. Barrett was
an actor, and he jumped to the conciu.
sion that he must be one Of the player,
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 every.
thing Mr.. Barret had was just TO hi
taste. Then, as the great actor began to
eat, the colored waiter opened his cam.
paign to secure the coveted ticket.
"Is you goin' to l,lay tonight, Massa
Barrett" he asked.
Yes, sir" was the curt reply.
"Dal's mighty funny play, Use bean
told" continued the colored diplomat,
-and hopes to be able to afford to see
it some day. I'd like very much 10 see
you in it. but haint got de necessary
collateral tonight"
"Who told you it was a funny play2'
Mr. Rarr asked
"Oh, everybody says dat de 'Mullgan
Guards Picnic is one of de funniest"
But the colored waiter got no further.
Mr.. Barrett jumped from the table as
though dynamite bomb had exploded
beneath his chair. Shortly after he was
heard giving free vent to his opinion OF
the people of Albany. They had no ap.
probation Of good acting. He had Of
iered them bills Of entertainment with
which he had crowded some Of the larg.
est theaters in nearly every city in the
union, and here he had to play to empty
benches. And, to crown it all, he had
been asked ii he did not play in the
"Nulligan 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 be.
hind an unmistakable impression that
he will never again appear in Albany,
unless be should join some band of negro
Winstrels.