Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-12-09

tlclsms, Wnlcn seemed 10 meet inc CIR
cumstances OF the case. for tho COM
pany laughed immodcrately, until at
last the manager suggested com
menccment of the rehearsal.
1--WE have heard Of your wonderful
conversational powers. Mr.. Matthews.
and report has not exaggerated them,
but suppose we -"
Exactly, Mr. Simpson; business first
and pleasure afterward.
i 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,
ton in detail the very natural short
comings of scratch country company
of strolling players. But l found them
very docile and extremely anxious to
follow my directions implicitly. Small
as were my available resources. l ex-
pended half a sovereign In refreshment,
and their countenances expressed their
gratitude even more than their words.
There was another piece down for re-
hearsal, married for Money" but I
was totally unacquainted with the piece,
SO l suggested it should be postponed
till the morrow. Toward the conclu-
sion of the rehearsal observed Mr..
Simpson examining my features with
great earnestness.
You wear uncommonly well, Mr..
Matthews; I was told you were about
forty, but you don't look moro than
five-and-twenty."
"All habit, my dear sir, never en-
courage the idea of age. follow the
advice of Bulwcr Lytton. Decide
upon the age at which you choose to
remain and refuse to become any
older l have selected five aud-twenty.
Perennial Jove, you know, and all that
sort of thing"
My auditor was convinced. con-
tinued:
Besides, youth is my stock in trade.
How could I play the youthful Jenny
Jcssamys if l looked my real agep"
My logic was unanswcrable.
Ere we parted Mr.. Simpson shook
my hand heartily.
&" A check on Friday morning, as
soon as we have verified the receipts.
1 suppose that will do. Mr.. MatthewsP"
Perfectly" I replied, cordially re-
turning the pressure.
1 was walking leisurely toward my
hotel when 1 beheld a sight which al
most turned my blood to water. Strid-
ing along in his usual brisk and jaunty
fashion was the great comedian
himself He was evidently going to
the theater. 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
small place and the manager could
soon be found. My course was plain.
l must fly, and at once.
met the waiter in the doorway. He
grinned and pointed to couple of
trunks in the hall on which was in
scribed, "Mr. Charles Matthews"
"He's come, SIR"
"Where is the Sheriffs officerp" !
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 a man as
can't pay his owings. But it's just like
that class"
"Please make out my bill, waiter"
said calmly, though felt my heart
humping against my chest, as vulgar
people say, nineteen to the Dozen"
J. The walters countenance fell.
Amt you comfortable, sirp'
"Quite; your hotel is perfect elysi-
UNI; but Mr.. Simpson wishes me to stay
with him till l leave Seamouth.
In five minutes I had paid my bill
and given the waiter handsome dou-
ceur, and shouldering my portmanteau,
was on my way to the theater. The
waiter expressed his regrets that tho
boots was on the beach looking for the
Sherifl's officer, and so unable to leave
the hotel, "all the spoons being about,
you see, SIR"
Nothing could we'll be more fortunate
for my purpose. As l strobe away tho
horses were being harnesscd for the de-
parting coach, and as soon rs possible
1 made my way to the road along which
the coach must pass on Its way 10 the
postal town. did not feel safe until
had mounted the box-seat and had left
Seamouth some miles behind. Tho
coach was timed to meet the London
train, and ere night fell l was once
more under the parental roof
Here l found letter from my uncle,
inclosing check for hundred pounds,
and q nomination to valuable Govern.
ment appointment. From that moment
turned over new leaf, married Miss
Walker and forgave Nobbs (who pro-
tested his innocence as to my address).
But as I considered conquerors car
afford to be generous, wrote letter tc
the great comedian. explaining my
conduct under very trying circum.
stances, and received a cordial letter Of
thanks in response for the very efficient
rehearsal had given the company Of
the Theater Royal. The Inconvenience
| to him from the Sheriff's officer was but
of brief duration, my fight having
sufficiently shown which was the real
Simon Pure.
have never paid visit to Scamouth
since. London Society.
| Tanning a Parent.