The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
DOB A BORN ACTOR.

The following. taken from the files OF
the Nashville American in 1856. when Bob
and All. TAYLOR were making their MEM
orahle ra-c for Governor, reveals tne ear
~ histrionic predictions Of the trOthers.
Bob. IL seems. was barely rescued from
a fooilight career. Now, after both az
thcm arc famous as statesmen and ora
tors. the early instinct relsserts itself,
and they are great On the stage as they
are upon the hastings They have not
rollnouished their public career, however,
for the indications point TO their nomina-
tiCn again against each other for Govern
or. Besides that, GOV. Bobs friends
claim that he will certainly succeed SEN
ator Bate. The appended article IS ex-
eeodinclv interesting, in the light Of these
unique facts.
Bob was chatting with coterie OF
admirers. while All was holding forth at
the opposite side of the room, when
tall. lank CCrntryman, evidently noun
taineer entered. Hating moment, ne
cast his eve over the assenblage, ana
then advancii al a quick. shuiiiing gait.
ne extended a b0ny hand to Bod while
a broad grin oversproad his features lie
said. Hello, Spriggins" Bob wheeled
and for a moment looked inte1tly at the
speaker. 4 wave Of recognition passed
over his face. and then with hearty
laugh ne grasped the hand OF the moup-
tainccr, with the exclamation: Jack jim,
glad TO see YOU. old boy Thereby hung
a tale Spriggins is name which Is
often applied 10 the Democratic leader In
the First Congressional District. 1t hap
pencd thus. Bob IS a born actor. From
his earliest days he has manifested an
aptness for the stage. He was hardly IN
his teens before we find him reciting eX-
tracts from the poets and noted speeches.
Of the day before large audiences. He
was I'm demand at church festivals and
benefits Later he turned his attention
TO stage and trOd the buckskin in high
err feather before many a rustic audience.
His daring genius attempted everything.
The Lady OF Lyons" David Garrick.'
"Shc Stops to Conquer" and dozen
other well-knoWn plays We're reproduc-
cd. with Boy Taylor as leading man, ana
the most elaborate efforts al proper seem
ic effects His fame spread over the
whole section. No social gathering was
complete without Bob Taylor, and the
evenings entertainment was dun, stale,
and Improbable unless this youthful
prodigy performed. Admiung country
men came from all directions TO hear
him, his fame was so extensive within
tho limits Of the district. On one Occa-
sion he aud All heard "Solon Single"
Their thoughtful imaginatiOns were so
excited they determined TO write a play.
For three weeks the future candidates
for Governor cssayed the roll OF play
wrights. Their fraternal labors yielded
them renown. The comedy of "Horatio
Spriggns' sprung from their allied ge-
Mus. Bob. by common consent essayed
the leading role, supported by All in the
character of Lawyer Howard. The piece
abounded in grotcsque scenes and humor-
GUS incidents. wherein the trend OF BCb's
farcy could rcvcl while thu siaid disci-
plinc of Blackstone was particularly H.
ted 20 the more sedate Alfred. They re-
hcarsed laborously i'm the barn and or
chaid. and gradually completed the Ira
malIs pclsOnac.