The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-11-04
A STAR" FOUND.
The Adventures of George Paunce.
fort.
A GOOD YARN ABOUT AN OLD PORT.
LAND ACTOR.

tnat George Pauncefort-who, some twenty
nve years ago, had residence in Portland an
with his wife, were the great favorites of oil
tneatre-goers to Deering Hall, and who wer
receiver on most friendly terms by many
our citizens-had turned up-the cultivator {
a tea garden i Japan. A New York pape
| gives the following yarn" from gentlema
who claims to have seen George in his presen
home
"Twtn y five years ago, George Pauncefor
was favorite III this country, being especial
well known in Pittsburg, Washington, Bait
more and the Western circuit Some year
| since, however, Pauncefort disappeared, an,
no one had heard of him until Joe Arthur
the agent for Willie Edouin; the comedian
began to tell his experiences of travel AROUND
the world, the other day. Arthur startled
every one in the hosiery by declaring that b,
had found George Pauncefort.
"Where?" was the general inquiry.
I'm the interior of JAPAN replied joe
Interior OF Japan?" came in grand chorul
from the Thespans.
Yes; l assure YOU. gentlemen. in Janan
he had thirteen wives, natives-think of it
ana was running tea plantation, as happy as
II ne q been born to polygamy and all the 9TH
er Injuries"
"How did you discover him?.'
1T as purely accidental. Three other per-
brated prehistoric statue of Buddha at Dia-
butsa. We travelled by moonlight in the only
conveyance known in that country, sort of
perambulatnr hauled by natives. AT midnight
the moon was hidden by clouds; in short
time we found ourselves in the midst of a
storm, and sought shelter under the caves of q
honse we came across. The climate was mild,
and being weary we fell asleep. Daylight re-
vealsd charming scene. The house, which I
can iiken to nothing but large bird cage.
or int hraw -. I....
intersected at regular spaces by little narrow
streams OF water, kissed by the overhandging
branches of bush and tree, and spanned by
numerous fairy-like bridges, place, in fact,
that recalled to my mind the lines:
Where every prospect pleases
And only man is vile.'
"The owner of this house and these lands
was George Pauncefort, the actor, whose play
ing had been witnessed by audiences IN all the
large cities of the United States.''
And what took this man to Japan"
That" said Arthur, sis something of
mystery. He Is now an octogenarian and
something of a recluse. When I saw him he
stepped to his door in the early morn, clad in
semi Japanese garb, with long flowing foot
ong and calash. He wore no Shoes his form
was erect, his hair and moustache snowy
white, his counteDaDce of a forid hue He
did not seem to be either glad or sorry to see
us and we rather invited ourselves in, and as
he stood SO silent and grave 1 mentally said,
John Mildmay. Behind him stood his wives
You have asked me-" said Arthur, why he
was found in such an out-of-the- way corner of
the globe? cannot answer that directly but
think domestic difficulties drove him there
Ii was alleged that he had two wives previous
to going thare, one in London and one in San
Francisco. AT all events he was a great adj
mirer of the fair sex and he disappeared and
was not heard from until / found him in
Japan"
"How did he tr~wt you?"
When we went Into the house he only ut
tered three words: MY wives, gentlemen
but during our stay did not in the presence Of
the other parties express an opinion on any
subject or join in tho conversation, but subse-
quently had private conversation with him
IN which he told nee many things regarding his
past life, Probably because he was Mason and
discovered was one. He came to this country
from England in 1857, and made a great repu-
tation as an actor. When the troubles referred
to occurred he starred for the Orient as chief
officer OF merchant vessel and the vessel was
off The island of Formosa, near the
northern coast of China. He was rescued by
the natives, who were not absolute Chinese,
but sort OF hybrid race. cross between the
ChlneSe and Coreans. and were exceedingly
savage, so much SO that had it not been for a
Dutchman who had located there and became
friendly with them Psunceforu would not have
escaped with his life. The Dutchman was
engaged on the island extracting dyes from
the different woods there, and interceded
for Pouncefort when the natives proposed to
kill him.
Leaving this inhospitable island he went to
Japan and landed there without money, with
out friends, having no knowledge of the Ian
guage or the customs of the country, a lone son
OF Thespis from afar, and with his heart bow
ed down with weight of woe. At.that time
there was no treaty between the countries and
the Japanese took no stock in foreigners. How
Vi fnrff oil hat had
He was man of tact and intellig, nee and he
acquired the language, in the meantime sus-
tanning himself by writing sketches OF the
Europeans and having them translated. Sub
eqnently he learned the language well enough
% go through the country lecturing. He knew
of medicine, and when leeturing
Jailed him he took to doctoring, and he said to
me that he believed he had succeeded in his
medical career in Japan in killing three or four
hundred people. Finally he formed band of
native actors, assuming with great power some
of The leading roles in the Japanese drama,
which he pronounces superior in cunning
development of plot and sublmity of language
to either the French or German drama. Thrice
he assumed, in the native tongue, the role of
IRA, the hero of the historical drama of Japan
analogous to our Hamlet ard played before
the Micado AS result of the performance
he received instituted praise from the writers
and poets of that country. At his suggestion
was led to secure translation of the play
which is emitted 'hOn1nS, and is Will be pro-
dRced in this country next season"
"Why did he retire to the tea plantation and
get himself married 30 multitudinously?"
His acting led to an accession of wealth
and fame. He then came to the conclusion to
SETTLE down and sealed himself wife, beau
tiful Japanese woman of what is known as the
Damio class or the long nosed class They
are as white in complexion as any European
and noted for their beauty. He then bought
tea and rice plantation and when visited him
he was employing about 100 or 200 labnrers
and living life of ease He accumulated his
other wives by degrees. presume, but all the
women seemed to be getting along without
domestic jars. AT all events Psuncefort has
ad an experience few actors have had.'