The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-02-24
SHERIDAN AS AN ARTFUL
DODGER,


used to say of Sheridan. the world
renowned actor, that he could not
pull off his hat to him in the street
without its costing him fifty pounds;
and if he stopped to speak with him,
it was hundred. No one could he a
stronger instance than he was of what
is called living from hand to mouth
He was always in want of money,
he received vast sums which he must
have dis5lrsed; and yet nobody can
tell what became of them, for he paid
nobody. He spent his wife's fortune
sixteen hundred pounds) in SIX
weeks jaunt to Bath, and returned to
town as poor as rat. Whenever he
and his son were invited out to the
country, they always went in two
postchaises and four: he in one. and
his son Tom following in another.
This is the secret of those who live in
round of extravaganza, and are at
the same time always in difficulty
they throw away all the ready money
they get upon any new tangled whim
or project that comes in their way,
and never think of paying off old
scores which, of course, accumulate
to dreadful amount. "Such gain
the cap of him who makes them fine.
yet keeps his book uncrossed." Sher
idan once wanted to take Mrs Sher-
idan very handsome dress down in
to the country, and went to Barber &
Nunn's to order 1t, saying he must
have it by such day. but promising
they should have ready money. Mrs.
Barber made answer that the time
was short, but that ready money was
a charming thing. and that he should
have it. Accordingly, AS the time
approached, she brou ght the dress,
which came to five and twenty pounds
and it was sent in to Mr.. Sheridan,
who sent out Mr.. Grimm, one of his
jackalls, to say that he admired it ex
ceedingly, and that he was sure Mrs.
Sheridan would be delighted with it,
but he was sorry to have nothing un-
der hunred pound bank note in the
house. Mrs. Barber said she had
come provided for such an accident.
and could give change for a hundred,
two hundred, or five hundred pound
note, if it were necessary. Grimm
then went back to his principal for
further instruction; who made an ex-
cuse that he had no stamped receipt
by him. For this Mrs. Barber said
she was also provided; she had
brought one IN her pocket. At each
message. she could hear them laugh
ing heartily in the next room, at the
idea of having met their match for
once; and presently after Sheridan
came out in high good humor. and
paid her the amount OF her bill in ten,
five, and one pound notes. Once when
a creditor brought him a bill for pay
ment which had often been presented
before. and he complained of it's soil
ed and tattered state, and said he was
quite ashamed to see it. "Fll tell
yon what I'd advise you to do with it,
my friend said Sheridan, take it
home. and write it upon parchmentr'
He once mounted a horse which a
horse dealer was showing off near
coffee house at the bottom of St
James's street, rode it to TattprsaIls
and walked quietly back to the spot
from which he set ont. The owner
was furious, he swore he would be the
death of him: and in quarter of an
hour afterwards they were seen sit
ting together over a bottle of wine in
coffee house, the horse-jockey with
the tears running down his face at
Sheridan's jokes, and almost ready to
hug him as an honest fellow. Sheri
dams house and lobby were beset
with duns every morning, who were
told that Mr. Sheridan was not yet
up, and shown into the several rooms
on each side of the entrance As soon
as he breakfasted, he asked. Are
those doors all shut, John?' and be
ing assured they were. marched out
very deliberately between them, to
the astonishment of his self-invited
gnests, who soon found the bird was
flown. l have heard one of his old
friends declare that snch was the eff
feet of his frank. cordial manner, and
insiruating eloquence, that he was al
ways afraid to go to ask him for a
kebt of long standing. lest he should
borrow twice as much. A play had
been put off one night. or favorite
actor did not appear, and the audi
ence demanded to have their money
back again; but when they came to
the dosr they were told by the check
takers there was none for them, for
Mr. Sheridan lad been there in the
meantime, and carried off all the
money in the till. He used often to
get his old cobbler to broil beef
steak for him, and take their dinner
together