The Hazlehurst signal., 1885-10-29

fraying the cost Of my present luxury.
As the waiter placed an apple tart OH
the table he remarked: 81 think this
is Your first visit TO Seamouth, sir?' |
replied in the affirmative. muttcring
so,to vocc. 'and also my last Sea-
mouth appears to be very sleepy kind
of place" The old waiter drew him
self up. apparently rcsenting the stigma
on the little watering place. Very
quiet, sir, but very select. But we shall
bc very lively now sou have honored
us with n visit, sir" failed to per-
ccivc how the presence OF a fugitive
debtor could add TO the cheerfulncss OF
any place, but | made no reply, con-
sidcring the compliment would DO
charged for in the bill. ats haston-
ishing. sir. what difference the ihca,er
makes when ii is hopcn." "But Sea
mouth can rot support n theatcr, " l
replied. mo. sir; honly when star
comes; / remember. when was n boy,
seeing Mr.. Macready hact here. and peo-
pie came far aud near TO see i'm. Our
yard was full of traps of hcvery dcscrip-
ton, and SO il will be hon Thursday
next when Charles Matthews makes his
happcarancc. As he said these words
the old waiter made profound gcnu-
Election and left the room. a light
dawncd upon me; my name was idcn-
teal 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 en-
planned. when = circumstance occurred
which caused me To change my resolu-
ton. The window of the room which |
occupied commanded view OF the
coach road leading TO tho nearest postal
town.
As | reflected over the curious
blundcr, | found myself mechanically
watching doS.cart which was rapidly
approaching the inn. 1t drew up at
the door. and from the vehicle de-
seconded a stout. coarse.looking man.
wearing very bad hat and very scedy
in his habilimcnts in general | 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 bcs, inn
pcrsona,ionS rs an amateur, and l had
made such close study Of the original
representative that | could roproduca
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 aud apparently convulscd
with laughter
IL beg pardon, sir, but you will
laugh a> much as me when tell YOU,
sir. There is SheriT's officer in the
coilce-room who wants TO serve writ
on Charles Matthews; he inquired if
gent OF that name was here. told
him yc>-thc noted hactor He guy a
SCH and said he was not the gent lie
wanted He is going TO stop here, as
he knows tor certain that his man is
coming to Seamouth directly. and he
will watch the arrivals by coach.
~ the waiter delivered this eNorlium
my mind was at work cndcayoring TO
solve the mystery Of my hiding-placc
being discovered. "Nobbs'-that was
the solution. On second thought he had
disclosed the place of my retreat To
BinkS. ~ the waiter concluded. my
determination was taken. Ny natural
love Of fun and adventure. combined
with the instinct of Self-prcscrvation,
decided me TO accept the honors thus
suddenly thrust upon me. | made no
reference to the walters story, treating
il ~ 200 absurd for discussion.
ii want To send note round To the
lessee of the Theater Royal
certainly. sir. The boots can take
L."
In few seconds had scribblcd the
following:
DEAR SIMpsOS-to quote the dukes motto
II am here. viii you call IA rehearsal of
Used Up" for tomorrow ut III Yours faith
fully. L. j. MATTHEW'S.
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 MILMATTnEwS-l am agrccably sur
prised by your early arrival. rs did not eN
pcct YOU Till the morning OF Thursday tthc
DAY of the performance. suppose the papers
are In error in advertising you at Plymouth
| to day, Tuesday. I shall be very pleased ia
make your acquaintance. Yours sincerely,
r. SIMPSON"
Nothing could DO moro fortunate.
Mr.. Simpson had never seen the great
comedian, and was safe till Thursday.
The reader may inquire: Why did no,
make my escape from Seamouth while
had the opportunityP l can only re,
ply that my love of adventure was re,
sponsible for my conduct. | should in
ilict 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 Thur,day con
siderably smoother. rs all my "husi'
ness" was precisely the same as he
would adopt.
! punctuol IN tho hour apnOintel.