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

| ueDtOr could huu 10 tne.checrlulneSs Oh
any place, but l made no reply, con-
sidering the compliment would be
charged for in the bill. ''It's haston-
ishing. sir, what difference the theater
makes when II is hopen." "But Sea-
mouth can not support theater," 1
replied. mo. sir; honly when a star
comes; remember, when l was boy,
seeing Mr.. Macready hact here, and peo-
pie came far and near to see i'm. Our
yard was full of traps of hevery descrip-
ton. and so 1t will be hon Thursday
next when Charles Matthews makes his
importance" AS he said these words
tho old waiter made profound genu-
Election and left the room. A light
dawned upon me; my name was iden-
tical with that of the great comedian.
The waiter had read the name on the
brass plate on my trunk, and l had
been mistaken for the coming man. L
was chuckling over the singular error,
and had resolved to disabuse the staff
of the "Red Lion" accordingly, whose
curious reception of me was now ex-
planned, when circumstance occurred
which caused me to change my resolu-
ton. The window of the room which l
occupied commanded view of the
coach road leading to the nearest postal
town.
AS l reflected over the curious
blunder, found myself mechanically
watching dos-cart which was rapidly
approaching the inn. 1t drew up at
the door, and from the vehicle de-
sccnded stout, coarse-looking man,
wearing very bad hat and very seedy
in his habiliments in general. l was
reading the advertisements in the Sea-
mouth Express which announced the
appearance of the London actor in his
celebrated character of Sir Charles
Coldstream in "Used Up" on Thurs
day next This was one of my best inn
presentations as an amateur and l had
made such close study of the original
representative that / could reproduce
every tone and glance and gesture.
My personal appearance was also very
similar. At this moment the waiter
entered the room, holding his hand be-
fore his face and apparently convulsed
with laughter.
81 beg pardon, sir, but you will
laugh as much as me when 1 tell you,
sir. There is Sheriff's officer in the
coffee-room who wants to serve writ
on Charles Matthews; he inquired if
a gent of that name was here. told
him yes-the noted hactor. He guy a
sigh and said he was not the gent he
wanted. He is going to stop here, as
he knows for certain that his man is
coming to Scamouth directly, and he
will watch the arrivals by coach"
As the waiter delivered this exordium
my mind was at work endeavoring to
solve the mystery of my hiding-place
being discovered. "Nobbs" was
the solution. On second thought he had
disclosed the place of my retreat to
Binks. AS the waiter concluded, my
determination was taken. My natural
love of fun and adventure, combined
with the instinct of self-preservation,
decided me to accept the honors thus
suddenly thrust upon me. 1 made no
reference to the walters story, treating
it as too absurd for discussion.
II want to send a note round to the
lessee of the Theater Royal"
Certainly, sir. The boots can take
it."
In few seconds i had scrubbed the
following:
DEAR SIMPsoN-to quote the dukes motto
Il am here. VIII you call rehearsal of
Used Up" for Tomorrow mt 1l2 Yours faith
fully, 81. MATTHEWS"
This characteristic note was promptly
dispatched, and awaited with serenity
and with keen sense of approaching
enjoyment the result
In half an hour the answer came.
DEAR MRMArTHEws-I am agreeably sur
prised by your early arrival, as 1 did not ex-
pcct you till the morning of Thursday Cthe
Il
are in error in advertising you at Plymouth
to day, Tuesday. shall DO very pleased to
make your acquaintance. Yours sincerely,
IT. SIMPSON"
Nothing could be more fortunate.
Mr.. Simpson had never seen the great
comedian, and l was safe till Thursday.
The reader may inquire: Why did not
make my escape from Seamouth while
l had the opportunity can only re-
ply that my love of adventure was re-
sponsible for my conduct 1 should in
flict no harm on any one; indeed, Twas
comforting an actual benefit on the
company of thee Thater Royal by af-
fording them the great advantage Of an
extra rehearsal. And the actor himself
would find his task on Thursday con-
siderably smoother, as all my "busi-
ness" was precisely the same as he
would adopt
Punctual to the hour appointed,
made my appearance at the stage door
at eleven o'clock on the following
morning.
Good morning, Mr.. Matthew'S" OK
claimed little shabbily-dresst,d man
who was standing with his back to the
fireplace, in conversation with the Ger
berus, who guarded the sacred porta
Of the drama.
Good morning, Mr.. Simpson Where
is the companyp"
They are all on the stage, MIR. Mat
thews. 1 have got pretty Mary fol
you, and capital blacksmith.
followed Mr.. Simpson along dim
ly-lighted passage to the stage. AS W.
threaded the gloomy labyrinth my con
ductor whispered to me:
''You are satisfied with the terms
ofyorodob