The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-09-25

meet the circumstances of the case, for
the company laughed immoderately,
until at last the manager suggested
commencement Of the rehearsal
"We have heard of all your won
derful conversational powers, Mr..
Matthews, and report has not exagger-
ated them, but suppose we"
"Exacty, Mr.. Simpsons; business
first and pleasure afterward."
at once addressed myself to the
business of the scenes, and really
worked very hard in putting the com.
pany through their facings. 1t would
not interest the general reader to men,
tion in detail the very natural short
comings of scratch country company
of strolling players. But l found
them very docile and extremely anx-
ious to follow my directions Implicitly.
Small as were my available resources,
l expended half sovereign in refresh
ment, and their countenances expressed
their gratitude even more than their
words. There was another piece down
for rehearsal, "Married for Money!"
but / was totally unacquainted with
the piece, so suggested it should be
postponed till the morrow. Toward
the conclusion of the rehearsal / OBJ
served Mr.Simpsom examining my feat
ures with great earnestness.
"You wear uncommonly well, Mr.
Mathews; was told you were about
40 but you don't look more than five-
and-twenty J"
"All habit, my dear, sir; l never en-
courage the idea of age. / follow the
advice of Bulwer Lytton. Decide
upon the age at which you choose to
remain; and refuse to become any old
er. l have selected five-and-twenty.
Perennial Jove, you know, and all
that sort of thing"
My auditor was convinced; l con-
tinued
''Besides youth is my stock in trade.
How could | play the youthful Jenny
Jeseomys if ! looked my real age ?"
My logic was unanswerable.
Ere we parted Mr.. Simpson shook
my hand heartily
ga check on Friday morning, as
soon as we have verified the receipts; l
suppose that will do, Mr.. Mathews p
Perfectly" l replied, cordially re-
turning the pressure.
l was walking leisurely toward my
hotel when l beheld sight which al
most turned my blood to water.
Striding along in his usual brisk and
jaunty fashion was the great comedian
himself. He was evidently going to the
theatre. Fortunately the building
was closed, as / had seen Mr. Simpson
lock the door and walk away with the
key in his pocket. But Seamouth was
a small place and the manager could
soon be found. My course was plain.
/ mus. fly, and at once.
| met the waiter IN the doorway.
He grinned ana pointed to couple OF
trunks in the hall on which was in
scribed, "Mr. Charles Mathews"
Giles come, sir"
"Where is the Sheriffs officer" ]
inquired in as calm tone as could
assume.
"He's gone for walk on the beach.
l sent boots after him. The gent has
not come by the coach. He came in
a fly. Pretty extravaganza in man
as cant pay his owings. But it's just
like that class
"Please make out my bill, waiter,
said l calmly, though l felt my hear
humping against my chest, as vulgar
people say, nineteen to the dozen.
The walters countenance fell.
"Ain't you comfortable, sir ?"
"Quite; your hotel is perfect Ely
sum; but Mr.. Simpson wishes me t.
stay with him till | leave Seamouth.
In five minutes had paid my bill
and given the waiter handsom,
dOuceur, and shouldering my port
manteau, vas on my way to the theatre
The waiter expressed his regret tina
the boots was on the beach looking TO
the Sheriff's officer, and So unable t.
carry my portmanteau, and he himsel
was unable to leave the hotel, call tn
spoons being about, you see, sir"
Nothing could be more fortunate 70
my purpose. AS / strobe away tn
horses were being harnessed for tn
departing coach, and as soon as posi-
BILE made my way to the road alon
which the coach must pass on its wa
to the postal town. / did not feel saf
till had mounted the box seat an
had left Seamouth some miles behint
The coach was timed to meet the Lor
don train, and ere night fell I Wa
once more under the paternal roof.
Here / found a letter from my uncl
,, enclosing fl00, and nomination to
valuable government appointment
From that moment turned over
, new leaf, married Miss Walker, an
forgave Nobbs (who protested his il
nocence as to my address). But as
considered conquerers can afford TO t
generous, | wrote letter to the gre;
comedian, explaining my conduct III
| der very trying circumstances, and r,
ceived cordial letter of thanks in r
sponse for the very efficient rehearsal
had given the company of the Theatl
Royal. The inconvenience TO hi
from the Sheriff's officer was but (
: brief duration, Lay flight having suffi
q iently shown which was the real Simo
Pure. .... .....
l have never paid visit to Seamout
> again.
r. Advice to Young Men.