The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-29

| Flnal Lesson.
The engagement OF Mr.. Edwin Booth
and Mr.. Lawrence Barrett at the Memphis
theater has closed. Brief though it was it
did more to fire the enthusiasm OF theater-
goers than all the lesser attractions COM
bined. There was a rumaging among
musty old books to find neglected and
torn volumes of Shakespeare, followed by
informal readings in family circles Tho
head of the family was temporarily trans.
formed into an Othello, Polonius, or
some other accessory in the play, while
his better half read any and all parts 'just
to fill up" The well-advanced male Off
spring, assuming all the tragic mien that
within his power found iurking-place, es-
sayed the characters Of Iago, Shylock,
Hamlet and Cassius, raising the roof Of
his mouth by blood curdling rants, and
falling heir to undue WEAKNESS from over
exertion in the swinging of arms and at
tempted stage strides. The lily of the
household, under the magic influence Of
unbridled genius, charmed her compan.
ions with exquisite portrayals of the
womanly virtues and graces Of Portia,
Desdemona, Ophelia and Portia No. 2.
All this preliminary work was beautiful,
touching, and mayhap beneficial, but
TICKETS ARE THE THINGS"
II is a noteworthy fact that the enter
prising American, whether by birth or
adoption, soon shakes off the habits and
characteristics Of foreign people and be-
comes distinctively American. To this
proposition anarchists, socialists and others
OF like ilk alone except. One strongly de-
fined trait OF Americans Is TO carry out the
doctrine. "6rst come, first served" pro-
vided money or strategy cannot prevail
against their neighbors. Thus il was that
a few days prior TO the opening day for
ticket sales for the engagement, line OF
hirclings young and old, white and black
formed the article by which freshly inn
ported Chinese hold themselves in allcgi-
ance 10 the CELESTIAL monarch, q queue
In common parlance line or string. Nour-
ished and encouraged by their hackers, these
patient individuals held down their rank
day and night, some OF them for week.
When tho exchange Of lucre for reserved
seats began, there was nsught but good
order, mixed with intrigue and anxiety,
insMe the theater and out Those on the
outside felt that unless their time for adj
mission 20 the Office came next the coun-
try was lost. On the inside, those charged
with the responsibility OF making sales and
cash tally were nervous and weary.
Finally the last ticket was disposed OF,
the sellers rested from their labors, and
the afternoon prior TO the first performance
came. Then II dawned upon the guileless
public that there
HAD BEEN MONKEY BUSINESS"
In which they had been the cuisines" for
the monkeys. The realization OF this was
not productive OF charitable emotions.
They desired 10 witness one or more Of
the performances by the superb combina-
ton, but not 10 the extent which would
entail the wrecking Of their bank accounts.
The willy Spectator had tho under hold on
them, with not drop Of mercy playing
hide and seek in his bosom. From the cs-
tablishcd zero, prices leaped over the top
Of the gauge, kicking tho cap off with n
spiked heel The atmosphere was lurid
with bitter complaints about "man's n ed
for gold, ''inhumanity 10 man." etc. and
VOWS were registered above that "by tho
brilliant rays OF the sun, we will not diyvy
unto the speoulator." Tho vow was duly
recorded and notification forwarded
TO the ticket holders. Yet awhile
longer, and these people began to
realize that outsiders meant business.
The looked-for streams Of purchasers did
not march up 10 the refrain Of Johnnie
comes ambling home" There wns con-
stcrnation In the camp, with signs and re-
grets attachments Courien were then
detailed by the speculatons 10 invade tho
cnemy's domain, exhibit n flag Of truce,
and cry off his wares nj any price, pro-
yided Il was evident neither profit nor par
could DO realized. From figures ranging
from $40 10 S2l pair,
TICKETS TUMBLED
10 s., and even 81 pair. Even upon
this compromise the holdings were not all
disposed az. and efforts were proiractcd
until performances worc fairly under way,
when they could be purchased for nero
trinc. Great throngs Of brokers aud their
agents repaired 10 the vicinity OF the thea
ter, where they bcsicgcd every passer.by
with offers OF great bargains. Thursday
! evening nll their schomesand inducements
failed 10 catch the game. Friday evening
, they were swimming along when Prcsl.
dent MADDEN rode upin his buggy, wearing
high standing collar, dainty white TO
and ailk hat. lie refined up against
/, the concoursc, was Immediately surround
cd, and opened up negotiations Prices
: were unsatisfactory, and finally the Tycoon
innocently inquired, ''Say, boys, have you
all got license 10 pcddlo tickcts3" The
: boys scattered In every direction, the Ty-
, coon smiled on high q, finished his drive
10 the thcatcr and rented box. IL found
that this was cheaper than reserved seats
, on the back row OF the dress circle, accord
ing 10 speculation prices" he explained
, In response 10 the opcri-glass inquiry Of
an ArFEAL reporter. 81 couldn't stand
on expense, ns | never 90 back on trngedy
~ exhibited by Ia and Renee" Another
. gentleman, unable 10 do better, rented the
firr-cscapc on the outside wall and, climb.
: ing 10 window. viewed the entire soncs
/, Of performances. still Others stood on the
! top step leading from the vcsiibulc and
were content with occasional glimpscs af.
| iordcd by the swinging dooB when people
: were admitted.
n TnR KyfL At An END2
\ The result Of the memorable engagement
D lust closed IL n severe lesson TO those who
are ever ready 30 plunge hoadlong into
any money making scheme, without regard
Tor their fellow man. The whole business
. Is illigitimate, because an Inconvenience
. and positive injury 10 the people who
Z palronizc the theatcr. Perhaps there may
? be no woll-dcllncd way 30 stop the practice,
\ save the one psortcd 10 a. II by common
consent. Unless all signs fail, there will DO
, only slight occasion In future 10 rack brains
for brake. The ticket spectators brought
calamity upon themselves by outrageous
h | ..,Ia.tts la fhoir tn.r...a.,. ...s..a H..