Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-05

Gambling ia New Orleans.-.Hfs
First Performance With
Edmund nean.

st. Louis Republican.
Mr.. Forrest. we're you ever a circus
Performer"
Yes, | was, he answered from the
depths OF his throat. II was with a
dramatic company in 1876 or 1927 in
Lexington, Ky. The company broke
up. / had to do something. Pepin
Il Richards came along with their
circus and | Joined them. | never
rode but in the entry, but | went into
the ring and leaped and tumbled as
well as any Of them. Ha, ha. hat"
and the old man laughed at the re.
membraDce.
When did you first come to New
! Orleans?' | next inquired
Il first came here about 1927, from
Nashville, as a member OF the stock
company at the old Camp Street The
alter, with James II Caldwell, the
father Of the drama in the South and
the Inauguration OF the gaslight in New
Orleans. | was forfeited by Caldwell
twice during the season--once for re
fusing to play Romeo and the other
time for Hamlet-because | did not
think | was old enough to play either
part. think Romeo should be played
by a man of mature years. | saw
Charles kemble play it with wrinkles
in his face, and it was an excellent
performance,
During my FIRST visit to the Cres-
cent City | was wandering one night
along Camp street, when at the corner
OF Cana | was attracted by the noise
made by a roulette wheel 10
gambling house | had
only silver dollar in my
pocket, yet went in to try my
luck. In few hours | had won $1,000,
fortune to me at that time Of life,
With my lucre | went home to bed,
but there was no rest for me that night.
Whether by the change in my pecuni-
airy condition or the fascination of the
gaming table | do not know, but got
up and returned to the gaming table.
10 very short time | YVES cleaned
out, and this was my first and last
gambling experience | have not put
down dollar since ="
The conversation was growing inter
estiug, Forrest was so communicative
that about this time he invited me to
have another drink. | pulled out
some cigars and lighted one | asked
him to take one; he declined. SAYING
II used to smoke, but | found il in>
jured my voice so, quitit.p
In few moments Forrest had an.
other story to tell IL was on board
OF steamer going up the Mississippi
river, going somewhere, don't know
where; but one day was reading abook
when | was accosted by fiue looking
gentleman, who surprised me by tell,
ing me that he owed his fortune to me,
"lor, said he, Il am very wealthy"
Not knowing how | could have been
instrumental in making fortune for
a man | had never seen before, | ma
turally asked him to explain. well.
sir, said the gentleman, II was
ruined man, disguised with mankind
and the world. One night you we're
performing Damon aud Pythias" at
the Camp Street Theater. dropped
in at the theater and saw the play
out. was so struck with the feeling
with which you imbued the character
of Damon and the admirable devotion
which exists between the two friends,
that | concluded the world was not so
bad as | had pictured it. | lett the
theater with wholesome impressions,
nerved myself once more for the strug.
gle Of life, and now you see before you
a successful and happy man. | live
over here, near Bayou Sara. / own a
large plantation, and | owe everything
to you, would be happy to share it
with you" Forrest, however. de-
clined. He was then growing in pop.
ularity, his attachment for the stage
was fixed, and he maintained it to the
last.
Il understand, Mr.. Forrest" said I
that the first time you appeared
prominently before the public was
when playing with Edmund Kean,
then the trsgsdian of the peoriod."
Yes, be replied, 81 was at Albany
when Kean played his first engage,
ment there. '0thello' was put up' for
| the opening night. | was cast for Iago
| went to the thelter in the morning.
kean did not come. | went to his
hotel sent up my card, and was ush
cred into his presence. | saw little
pale faced man with curly black hair,
with an eye--he had perfect mirror
| ofan eye told him | was the Der
son cast for lago, and that as he had
not come to the rehearsal, [ bad come
to him TO say il he had any particular
business that he might want done at
night would attend to it. sit down.
said he; take drink | declined
saying | did not drink. He then or
dered hot gin and sugar for himself.
and, after drinking it, said to me.
With regard to business, all | want
you to do at night is to come on the
stage and look at me; it will be all
right, Kesn then sat down at the
piano and sang one Of Moore's melo.
dies, Believe me ifall those endearing
young charms BE was the finest
singer | ever heard 10 my life, and |
have heard them all.
AT night, said Forrest, when in
the play | had to say, look well to
your wife; note her with Cassie; wear
your eyes thus, not jealous, nor Sc
cure, as much as to say don't be too
>ure Of her, at the same time | placed
my face close to his and gave him
a very meaning look. Kean gave
me look OF surprise in return. After
the curtain fell Kean came to me and
said. Where did you get that idea
iromY What idea2 asked. The
idea of looking so intensely in nv eyes
when you said nor secure. - WHY.
| replied, i got it from where YOU
got your style of acting from nature
"kean grasped me warmly by the
hand and said, Young man, YOU will
make a namel A few weeks after
Kean was the recipient Of grand din.
ner 10 Philadelphia, during which he
drank TO the health and prosperity of
Edwin Forrest, and urged the assem-
bly, to encourage the then, as he said
actor Of the day"
"Sigh No More, Ladiesiy
for DR.. Pierce's "Favorite Preserip.
tlou' IS a prompt and certain remedy
Tor the plinful disorders peculiar to
your sex. By all druggists.
Tea Culture in the south.
New Orleans PieaJune,2
Among the new revenues to wealth
crowding on the opening steps Of