Morning journal and courier., 1894-02-05
GREPPo's CovBroUsNEs How Comedian Lewis Got the Sho,
 He Had I.nnRad Rnr

ne Ehao LobGtu For.
 Harry Weaver, ST, in his "reminiscences published In the Chicago Inter Ocean re- late an amusing experience with JAmes Lewis, the eminent comedian now s mem Der of Augustin Dalys company. They were both playing in the "BlacK Crook" iu Boston in ths season Of l985-7. Weaver says:
 searched all over Boston before found a pair of shoes ths. though; fitted for the character of the "Blsck Crook" l" but when I at last succeeded every body aoknouled- ged them to be "agreat find" On my first appearance In the green room these articles of footear excited the admiration of my friend, James Levis, & connoisseur in such matters and one thoroughly imbued with the artistic mania of peculiar properties. By Jovei Those are gresIl Where did you ge. themi' he inquired. 'tIn an old second hand store at the North End," answered.
 Have they any more of the same kindI" be ssked.
 "There Is not pair to be found like tbem in Boston" said, triumphsutly. What did they cost youi" was the next question.
 cone dollar and a halfi" replied. "Will you take s for thsmf" he asked. {" answered firmly. ''they are not for | sale"
 Night after night Lewis kept adding to his offsr till 1t reached the sum of S5 l | told him I would not dispose of them for money, but I would make him present of them the last night of the piece. His eyes fairly sparkled with joy Mind" .s,d,
 '1 hold you to your woId." When the last night came IEore another pair of shoes for the part, having the old ones all ready on the table in Her zoz's laboratory. Daring the scene interpol.
 ated somewhat ss fOl'oss: '-Greppol
 Come hither. varlei" He approaeSed me in a wondering manner, never dream. | ing for c moment of what was .n store for him.
 | 'T have heard thee complain over 6 hundred times" continu.d ''that I have illused, ill.fed and i'll clothed thee, and yet thou hast fsred as we'll as thy master
 both in food and raiment. But being nc I longer able to endure the covetous glance
 thou hast, cast even upon the humble shoe,
 wear, have tom them from my feet tc
 bestow upon 6 graceless, grumbling ssrr
 itor. Take them, thou senseless varlst'
 (st the same time handing him the shoe.
 "snd see If thy understanding can be ir
 the least improved"
 Lewis was taken completely by surprise
 he never expected the shoes to be present
 ed in this public manner, but in piece e
 the nature of the "Blsck Crook neithet
 more nor less than fairy tale, it beip,
 the last night of the play and ths season
 thought little harmless merriment nigh
 be induiged in without even sttactipg th,
 attention of the sudiercs; but the comica
 expression of wonder that stole over Lsui
 face while was speaking made 1t sppsren
 that something was transpiring out of tn.
 ordinary course, and when Greppo tool
 the shoes In his hands, and, after examining them closely, said: Master you gre Q man of your wordl own that have long coveted these shoes and determined to obtain possession o
 them, either by hook or by crook, ant wished that you w0uld1save of ruuniDI , % their usefulness might not be impaired I am glad to zee, hosever. they are bu little the worse far wear, at the sams time must confess that I am lmplefeiy sold This told tbe whole story to the sudi-ncs snd they feemed to enjoy 1t hugely, juds . ing from the lsughtr and appliance wit , which this little episode wss received b : them.