The times., 1897-06-20

Two fine-looking men were chatting in
the foyer of the Columbia last Thursday
evening. No one knew who they were.
One looked like an Englishman At
least they Were entertaining takers,
and, as they must have been conscious
Of several other men within ear distance,
it was perhaps no case OF eavesdropping
that the following interesting story found
another listener, nor is it breach Of con-
fidence, since none was given, TO repeat it
The story is really valuable contribution
to the history of the drama.
DO you know said the man who
looked like an Engiishman, 1.-The char
acter OF Con, the ShaughIaun, was taken
from real life, and suggested itself to
Boucicault under peculiar circumstances?
AT the time he had for many years been alb
sent from Dublin, and returned to that
place to fill three weeks engagement
in the old Thea ter Royal, which was after
ward burned down. The individual who
furnished the subject of the plot was a fel-
low known allover rthecountryas 'Cantherin
Jack who eked out a precarious existence
by following mail coachesfrom one town To
another. He was attired exactly like
Con- and he was often known to run
twenty or thirty miles behind the mail
coach without stopping. On the way he
kept up an unceasing rasping on his 'fid-
die and was generally rewarded by
shower OF coppers and small silver by the
passengers
''Boucicault was to open In the Colleen
Bawn' at O'Clock on that particular
Monday night. Early in the morning he
tf,f fh, utr,- Sid hy
friend, nearly thirty miles away, and he
remained with the latter until nearly 8
O'Clock in the evening Then his host har-
messed a fast trotter and undertook to take
the actor up to the city in good season
They had proceeded on the journey about
fifteen miles when q thunder storm broke
The trotter, frightened at the lightning, be-
came unmanageable. When it was finally
got under control it was found that he had
sprained leg, and that Ii was impossible
to reach Dublin that uigt.t There were no
railways at that time within many miles
Boucicault was frantic, and afterward ad-
mitted that he heard, In Imagination, the
cries of the gallery gods at his non-ap-
pearauce. While both gentlemen were abus-
ing their bad fortune the hedges opened be-
fore them and both beheld Catherin' Jack
Boucicault's friend at once seized the vaga-
bond and offered him five guineas if he
would beg, borrow or steal horse that
would take them to Dublin. Jack mused
moment; then muttering TO himself, There's
only wan horse that can do it, he dlsap-
pcared silently in the darkness.
Fully ten minutes elapsed before Jack
made his appearance. and the other two
began to think he had forgotten them.
He brought with him rearing animal,
on seeing which Boucicault's friend grew
almost white from fear
Why he said, that is
Never mind what 1t is,' said Jack
gruffly. Just help Inc harness the baste
1.-The work was done In silence; then
Jack, taking the reins and warning the
other two to keep still, drove rapidly
toward the city, On reaching the
streets, the animal screamed with
fright, but Jack urged him on, and
Boucicault reached the dressing-room
Of the theater Just as the orchestra
struck up the overture. Jack not only