A TRAGEDIAN'S RUSE.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TRAGEDIAN'S RUSE.

, Cooke, the celebrated American tragedian' of earlier times, once actually pawned himself' for money 'in Philadelphia. Going along the street he discovered a pawnshop. ' He entered the door, and addressed the man behind the counter thus — " My name is Cooke. This is my benefit nightl- • The' manager can't' do without me. lam up for Eichard III." I want some liquor. ' I have no money. Now, I propose to pledge my royal person for lOdols, and you may lay me upon one of your shelves." The pawnbroker paid the lOdols, and Oooke was laid up. Meanwhile a large audience had assembled at the theatre, and at seven o'clock the manager was obliged to apologise to the audience for the absence of Cooke, and asked permission to commence the performance with a farce, A boy awaited frim as he left the stage, and presented a note written in cipher, which he translated thus : — My dear Jones — I am pawned for lOdols; send and redeem me, or it will be impossible for " Eichard " to be himself to-night.— Yours, Cooke.',' The manager hurried off to the pawnshop, where ie found Cooke with a piece' of paper in his buttonhole marked v No. 1473; pawned for lOdok." The amount was paid, a cab calledj and Mr. Cooke and the manager returned to the .theatre. Soon the eccentric tragedian was before the audience, and he never played better than on this occasion. Where Eulea on Pnnotuatioa should end. —At the stop.