A HISTRIONIC TRIUMPH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1490, 23 February 1887, Page 3

A HISTRIONIC TRIUMPH.

The following interesting story, the scene of which is laid m Melbourne, ie told by " Marmion " fn the Sydney Mail -.—Many anecdotes have been cur* rent from time to time with respec.t to the influence which the performance of certain stoge plays has had upon the Gensciences or the emotions of particular Bpectatora and listeners ; but I do not remember ever to have heard of a case m which a recltatiou has boen productive of bo remarkable a consequence as that whioh has jnefc resulted from a public reading, or rather a delivery from memory, of the "Christmas Carol," of Charles Dickens, by Mr Locke Richardson, m this city a few nights ago. Many years since the only daughter of a wealthy colonist, who was a widower, contracted what her father regarded as a mesalliance, although m reality there was nothing m the young hesband lo object to, except his circuniatances, which were Eomewhat straitened. He was wall educated, respeotably conneo'od and of good character. But the lady's father had higher views with respect to his daughter's settlement m life, and when she persisted m marrying the man of her choice the offjtded parent turned hia bsc't upon and disinherited her. Meanwhile tho young couple took up the burden of their lives and jigged ' along contentedly and happi'y upon a small income, which seemed, however, to expand oommanaurately with the m- | creasing demand of an increasing family. The wife'a fa' her Bpent some years m travel, and returned to (ho colony Home | months ago. The other evening ho was among the aadionce at the recitation spoken of above, and the atory cf r-ld Scrooge and of tho transformation which hla character and aonduc; underwent after hia interview with the three ghosti touched this .particu'a? listener to the quick. Ho wrote on the earao night to his daughter, and next morning Bhe, her husband, and her family were gathered roncd her father's breakfast table, and under the plato of eaoh guest waa a cheque, m tokon of reconciliation, and a« a measure of atonement. Such, at loast, la the statement (made to me by one of the party.