The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1894-08-18 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

TUE PLAYER.— Linnet, while at Hammersmith with his company, expressed a desire to play at Chelsea, but was informed that lb was under the control of a very inflexible magistrate particularly averse to giving any encouragement to plays or other amusements. However notwithstanding this seeming insurmountable difficulty, Linnet met with a friend, a gentleman, who wrote a warm recommendatory letter for him to the obdurate magistrate, no •I gave him assurance of his meeting wit k succe,s; with this encouragement, Linnet boldly pushed to the Justice's house, directing his wholo company to proceed to Chelsea, and order a dinner at the Swan, and regale themselves. This mandate was cheerfully complied with, and the eventful letter was delivered according to direction. But what was the purport of this letter? Instead of that which should secure a welcome and support, it was one that menaced the reader with a sudden scene of horror—'Tis proper to explain: Then thus it was, the comedy of • Bold Stroke for • Wife had been played a few nights before, and old Linnet on this occasion, resolving to make • grand appearance, had pub on the stage waistcoat he had worn in the Colonel, in one of the pockets of which, a letter supposed to be sent by the Colonel's friend to Obadiah Prim, upon bearing the real Simon Pure was actually corns, which if not timely prevented, must ruin the Colonel's design upon the cautious Quaker. Judge of the magistrate's surprise on opening the supposed letter of recommendation, when he found it begun thus: " There is a design formed to rob the house and cut your throat." The Justice rang the bell--a servant appeared. Where is the man that brought this letter?—ln the hall, air.--Call him up directly.— While the servant was employed in going to fetch up the unconscious culprit, old Quorum read on: "The pang whereof I am one, though now resolved to roh no more." (Here old Linnet made his appearance.) Well, friend, says the Justice, you belong to a gang, bow many are there of youl—Wro are fourteen in all, sir—Fourteen; and where are you all!— At Tool's, sir, at the Swan—lndeed; oh, very . well, you have all your tools at the Swan, have you I'll take care of you and your tools, presently. —Many thanks to you. Sir Squire told me you would encourage us.—Aye, was lb he sent you to my house?—Yes, sin—Well, and when do you intend to begin this grand affair! —We always begin about eaten &clock, sir.— You do. Here TIMMS, here seize this daring, hardened, old villain, lie and his whole gang are coming to rob and murder my family this night; and all their horrid tools are at the Swan public-house.—l did not think this of you (says the servant to Linnet).—What, do you know the fellow!—Yes, sir, he is master of the play.—A player and are you not an open and avowed murderer!—Oh, Lord, sir, what do you moan I—Look at this letter, you hardened dog —did you not deliver this to me!—Who can describe the innocent Linnet's astonishment upon the discovery of his mistake—Oh, dear sir, I beg your pardon. Here's Squire —'s letter, I hope this will satisfy you.—Hold him until I see what's here.—On the perusal of the real letter his worship's countenance was changed from • savage ferocity to • most placid smile he immediately dismissed the innocent aggressor with • full pernsiasion for his performing, with this piece of wholesome advice, "Neter to foryst Air part opens."