Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-01

VI ldtSI, COul6 IOuIu W lOOh db tllluSS
my way?
"My return to the stage was followed
by almost immediate promotion, and the
people 1ocked to see me in parts which
my father had rendered famous. Many
of my friends were anxious to see me
attempt the higher walks of my art, and
partly to please them, as well as to air
certain theories and innovations of my
own, l gave out that would shortly es-
say the role of Othello. For weeks
and months I studied this creation of
the great dramatist, and succeeded in
thoroughly identifying myself with the
part. On the night before my debut as
tragedian was to take place I retired
early, but my sleep was disturbed by
dreams. By turns I was the fond and
tender lover. the proud and powerful
General, the crazed, relentless MUIR
derer.
"The morning dawned and developed
in my own home a more horrible tragedy
than was ever conceived by dramatist,
for while [ slept and dreamed bastard
ly assassin had crept into my mothers
chamber and strangled the life from her
sweet body. Upon her fair white throat
was the cruel imprint of the murderous
hand, and, oh, God while I slept, I'M
conscious of her agony, she was strug-
Cling with her slayer.
Weeks and months passed, but no
clew to the murderer could be discovered,
nor the object OF the crime imagined.
My life, robbed of its truest friend,
seemed dull and melancholy. There
was but one thing left for me to do, and
that was to recall and act upon her adj
monitions, so that, if haply her spirit
looked down on me, she might bless my
efforts. left the State and sought in a
Western State to give a new direction to
my life. But even here my reputation
as an actor had preceded me, and was
waited upon one evening by the man
ager of the local theater with the re-
quest that would take the place Of his
leading man on the following evening,
he being incapacitated by sickness from
appearing. The piece was to be "Othel-
To-" accepted the proposal, pleased that
my name had not been entirely forgotten
by the public. The hotel at which I
stopped was overcrowded, and the land
lord informed me that I would have
to share my room with stranger.
But the stranger when he came in,
proved to be an old friend, and we talked
far into the night of old times, mutual
acquaintance, but especially of my
forthcoming appearance as Othello on
the next night. I slept, and dreamed
once again that I was the veritable Moor
of Venice, breathing into Desdemona's
ear my vengeful, cruel purpose. I was
suddenly awakened by a terrific pull at
my hair; and found myself standing out
in the middle of the floor engaged in a
struggle with my friend. Ny hands
were fastened in vise-ike grip on his
throat, and, even as I walked, his hold
On my hair loosed, and he sank helpless
ly to the floor. There are moments in
life when, like an electric flash, all that
has been and much that is to be stands
out clearly revealed, and, awe-struck, we
gaze at the fearful prospect. The mys-
terry Of my mothers taking-of was no
longer mystery; it was these accursed
hands that had done the deed, and con-
demned me, like Ahasueras, to wander
over the world, seeking relief and find
ing none"
With these words the young man con-
Guided his tragic story, and, Selling his
hat, opened the outer door and disap-
peared in the darkness. Nettie, with
white face, but moistened eyes, fastened
to the door with her purpose SO clearly
expressed in her manner that Charles
cried out:
Have a care what you are doing |!
You surely can't mean to offer that
sleep-walker bed here Ugh I choke
at the thought of It'll"
Nettie shuddered, hesitated for a mo-
ment only, then, leaving the door ajar,
stepped out. We could hear her voice,
but could not distinguish the words, but
his reply was distinctly audible:
"You are right. To me it seems as if
my mothers voice spoke through you;
bidding me cast off this burden of re-
morse and return to my art, with the
resolve to win the name the future sure
ly has in store for me-
Several years later our family were
surprised by the receipt of a note, in
closing passes, from the manager of the
B Theater, inviting US to be present
on the following evening, when Ameri-
cas- greatest tragedian would open q
weeks engagement. The play was to
be "Othello." We were punctually on
hand, and were politely conducted to a
side box, whence shortly afterward we
had no difficulty in recognizing, in the
swarthy Moor who strobe the stage,
Nettie's quondam acquaintance.
Between the acts the actor entered
our box and claimed the privilege Of re-
newing an acquaintance 80 iEauspicious-
~ begun.
81 shall invite myself once more to
your home," said he, "nor will you fad
me the Objectionable guest that for
merly was. Before fame and fortune
the dark specters that haunted my
brain have dissolved like the mists of
morning and left me light-hearted and
clear-visioned.
Since then the actor has often been
our hoHored guest; and idle rumor has
it's the rumor idle? What, then, do
Netties bushes mean, as, bending over
my shoulder as I write, she asks the
question
Father, don't you think it would
sound better if you were to christen
your story The Tale OF Iragedian 2
Superstition About Days.