Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-13
Talfs aud Sketehes.
NJ LAST REHEARSAL.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. }

This characteristic note was promptly
dispatched, and Wanted in serenity and
with keen sense of approaching enjoy
ment, the result.
In half an hour the answer came.
Dear Mr.. Matthew'S am agreeably
surprised by your early arrival, as | did
not expect YOU till the morning of Thurs
day (the day of the performance
suppose the papers are in error IN ad-
vertising you as playing st Plymouth to-
day, Tuesday. | shall be yer, pleased to
make YOUR acquaintance. Yours sincere
", T. Simpson,"
Nothing could have been more fortu-
nate. Mr.. Simpson had never seen the
great comedian, and was safe till Thurs
day. The reader NAV inquire. why did l
not make nv escape from Seamouth
while had the opportunity? can only
reply that nv love of adventure was re-
sponsibly for my conduct. should infiict
no harm on anv one indeed. was con-
ferrlng an actual benefit on the company
of the Theatre Royal by affording them
the great advantage OF an extra rehearsal
And the actor himself would find his task
on Thursday considerable smoother, as all
my "business" was precisely the same as
he would adopt.
Punctual to the hour appointed. made
nv appearance at the stage door at ii on
the following morning.
Good morning Mr.. Matthew'S" ex-
claimed little, shabbily dressed man,
who was standing with his back to the
fire. place, in conversation with Cerberus
who guarded the sacred portal of the
drama
Good morning. Mr.. Simpson. Where
is the company"
They are all gone on the stage, Mr..
Matthews. | have got a pretty Mary for
you, and capital blacksmith"
followed Mr.. Simpson along dimly
lighted passage to the stage. As we
threaded the gloomy labyrinth, my con-
ductor whispered to me-
You are satisfied with the terms l Of
fered."
Perfectly" l answered. Nothing
could have been more liberal" (How
wondered what they were!
.Yes, think that arrangement is the
fairest tor both partieS,' continued the
worthy manager.
found group of seedy looking indi-
viduals on the stage, who were severally
introduced to me. The impersonator OF
Mary Wurzel was a pretty looking girl,
but very pale and emacated, while the
representative OF the blacksmith was a
diminutive but sturdy little man.
Halo. this won't do; Ironbrace
should be a big man, or where is the
alarming contrast between Sir Charles in
the deadly ARRAY which takes place ~
The manager shrugged his shoulders.
1--WE can't get another now"
While they arranged the first scene |
glanced round the theatre, 1t was band
box of a house, and should not have hes
itated to PLAY the piece in my own proper
person had necessity compelled it. But
when Thursday came | must be miles
away. Here | suddenly remembered that
the individual was personating was re-
nowned for his vivacity and stores of an
ecdo;e So drew on my memory, an
uncommonly retentive one. and poured
forth stream of witticisms. which seemed
the company laughed immoderately, until
at last the manager suggested COM
mencement of the rehearsal.
1--WE have all heard of your wonderful
conversational powers, Mr.. Matthews, and
report has not exaggerated them but sup
pose we
Exactly, Mr.. Simpson: business first
and pleasure afterward."
at once addressed myself to the bust
ness of the scenes, and really worked very
hard in putting the company through their
facinps. 1t would not interest the gener-
al reader to mention in detail the very
natural shortcomings Of scratch country
company of stroling players. But | found
them very docle and extremely anxious
to follow nv directions implicitly. Small
as were my available resources. expend-
ed half sovereign in refreshments, and
their countenances expressed their graft
tude even more than their words. There
was another piece down for rehearsal
"Married for Money!" but | was totally
unacquainted with the piece, so sugges
ted it should be postponed till the morrow.
Toward the conclusion of the rehearsal
observed Mr.. Simpson examining my
features with great earnestness,
You wear uncommonly well, MIR
Matthews; | was told you were abou,
| forty, but YOU don't look more than five
and twenty -
''All habit. my dear sir; | never en-.
/ Soui aye tue iucst ti aye lolloW luc dI
vice of Bulwer Lytton. Decide upon the
age at which YOU choose TO remain. and
refuse to become any older. have Sc.
lected five and twenty. Perennial Jove
YOU know, and all that sort of thing"
! My auditor was convinced | contin.
ued
Besides youth is my stock in trade
How could | play the youthful Jenny
Jassamys if looked my real age %
| NV logic was unanswerable.
| Ere we parted Mr.. Simpson shook my
| hand heartily.
"A check on Friday morning, as soon
as we have verified the receipts; | sup
pose that will do. Mr. Matthews?"
Perfectly" replied. cordially return.
! ing the pressure.
! | was walking leisurely toward nv
hotel when beheld sight which amos,
turned my blood to water. Striding along
in his usual brisk and iaunty fashion was
the great commedian himself He was
evidently going to the theatre Fortu.
natelv the building was closed. as hac
seen Mr.. Simpson lock the the door and
walk away with the key in his pocket
/ But Seamouth was small place and the
manager could soon be found NV course
was plain. | 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 inscribed, Mr.
| Charles Matthews.
: Hes come. SIR