The morning call., 1890-11-01
AN ASTRAL DOUBLE.
From Sims Reeves Autobiography.

NGIzELLNGTON MANNING, MA,
4tFsEE9 was one of those literary oifShoots
&E9S who haunt like unquet ghosts the
neighborhcod Of Fleet street or else seek
refuge in the great reading-room OF the Brit
iSh Museum, finding there that warmth and
comfort which they seek in vain elsewhere.
In his youth he was destined for the
church, but coming Unexpectedly INTO pos
session of considerable property, he gave up
his career and sought the fashion, BILE world.
OF soft, impressiouable nature. lie easily
became the prey of INSCRIPTIONS adycntur-
ers and acquired taste for gambling and
all kinds of dissipation, his large fortune
was quickly dissipated and he sank into
direst poverty.
However, unlike the coarser type of b.
bemian, who delights in low associates,
Wellington Manning, NJ. A, never consorted
with pronounced imbibers or sporting char
aeters. but sought those of fallen reputa-
tiCn and ariStOcratic lineage, whose abaSe-
ment was the more real by reason OF their
obstinate self-esteem.
Wellington Manning had essayed writing
a serial story besides many light illusions
both in poetry and prose, but unteeling
publishers, with an eye TO business, de-
mandAd brain work of the commonplace
and practical kind rather than those lmagi-
native flights, which lead to fame both pres
ent and future
This was the bette nor of the once dis
tnguished poet and scholar; mind and body
failed and at last the end came and he died.
Application 10 his few remaining friends
yielded barely sufficient wherewith 10 pay
funeral expenses and buy enough ground IN
Gods acre to save him the degradation OF
pauper sepulture. A gentle wife and pale
laced boy survived him-their only Inherit
ance poverty and neglect
Woeful were the years that passed for
Mrs. Wellington Manning and her SON
Hers was the burden of ceaselcsS strife for
bread, but by wearisOme toll as gOverness
she Contrived to maintain herself and child.
Wellington Manning Jr. grew up unusu-
ally tall and pr0portl0na'ly weak. Nothing
0rganically wrong" was the doctors die
tum. coed food and warm clothing are all
lie requires"
The advice sounded somewhat cynical, but
about this time Wellington obtained situa-
ton in a city house, which paid him fairly
coed salary. True, the long hours of con-
inement were very trying to him; but as
the old saw has it, "BeggarS cannot be
chnoSers."
Ii was at this period that first heard of
he widow and her SOn-moreover. tn I the
latter Possessed an uncommonly fine barry
lone lee. His mother, he sad, had taught
hin all he knew, and now she was growing
blind. l became acquainted with young
Manning, ana found tie reports | had heard
o. his fine voice had not been exaggerated,
and | felt certain that brilliant future on
the operate stage awaited him.
Whenever | spoke 10 him of his future
career, and the certainty of his becoming
famous an expression stole over his face
that seemed to deepen its natural gravity,
while almost soemnly he said; Il may
come within reach OF such position, yet it
will never be mine"
Why ?? | asked.
Because my death will prevent it."
Your death1'
ayes; shall still persevere, but as soon
as | toucn the point of success | shall die
suddenly"
This became a fixed conviction, from
which 10 arguments could wean him, and l
watched his progress with growing concern.
He improved greatly, both vocally and phys
icaliy, but the presentiment of an untimely
death never left him.
Once / asked him to tell me the origin of
lhls morbid idea, but he had no better rea-
on for his strange belief than an unusual
coincidence that had happened on the death
# his father and grandfather. Though
years had elapsed between these events, the
date ana hour were precisely similar, viz:
March LIST, at o'clock in the evening.
Merely coincidence" l said, when lie
repsd: True. but it has happened to all
elder sons in my fathers family, without
exception, for generations
= That is, indie d. singular" | admitted;
but you have not yet attained to half your
fathers age; therefore, dismiss the gloomy
anticipation"
Wellington Manning's voice had been lis
tened TO by more than one manager who
sought 10 engage him for light opera.
Htarkenng to my advice, however, he de-
lined these tempting offers and resolutely
fliiOWed my musical Instructions, and at
length looked for an eligible opportunity
of bringing him out so that he might begin
to earn d I If living on the lyric stage while
working on to vocal perfection in private.
And so ii came about that | secured We'll
iington Manning's first engagement at Drury
Lane that grand old temple Of the drama,
with its imperishable memories and world
renowned examples of vocal and hi:trionic
.reatness
The opera selected was L'ElSr 'Amore"
wherein Manning was to sing the part Of
Belcore and | that of Nemorino.
Wellington Manning temporarily relin-
Qulshed his appointment III the city, with
the consent OF his Kind employer. If vocally
successful lie returned no more; il not, lie
would he very welcome to his office desk,
with lis accompaniment of long hours.
fetd atmosphere and relative penury.
Shaking his hand warmly, and bidding
jim come down early that opening night l
parted with him at the stage door after our
linal rehearsa
Five hours later drove across Westmin-
ster bridge OIL my way to Drury Lane. IL
was IL wretchedly cold evening. March had
,Ome in with our proverbial east winds,
which held every one and everything in its
chilling grip, and vainly did closely muffied
PEDESTRIANS struggle against its inroads.
Ny carriage was bowling at good pace
down Parliament street when the friend
" no was with me, touching my arm, said:
There goes Wellington Manning" l
looked in the direction indicated, and there
before us. closely wrapped up and walking
quickly, saw our young friend.
AS | was lowering the window TO ask
Manning II he would accept lift TO the the
alter, the Abbey clock. with seven solemn
r0kes, added another hour to the change
less past. just looked at my watch to time
and opened the carriage door.
But nowhere could we see Manning. This
was the more strange as at that particular
place there was no entrance or narrow way
into which he could have disappeared.
Turning to the coachman | said: IBID you
see NJ. Manning?"
" Yes, SIT, but lie went all in a second, d.
Tectly saw him, and don't know where he
cot to-"
The pitiless wind caused me to close the
door abruptly, forgetting all but the intense
cold, which would not be forgoj ten.
Some little thing or other is always wanted
on a first night, and having made two or
three hats TO relalr these omissions, we ar
rived at the stage entrance of Old Drury.
send for the understudy, Lueraft, at
once" the manager was saying as entered,
and passing through the narrow hall he
met HE and said:
Poor Manning has just died suddenly"
What" | cried, horror-stricken, MAN.
ming Gead?"
"Ycs, he died at home half an hour ago."
Exactly at O'Clock. SIR" said the mes
Senger who had brought the sad news. Il
heard the clock in the st. Johns Wood Bar
rarks strike just as he expired"
And l suddenly rccolected that this was
the first day of March. Boston Globe.
An Address TO the Profession.
James A. Herne, the well-known actor,