A FUNNY STAGE INCIDENT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2326, 17 September 1881, Page 3

A FUNNY STAGE INCIDENT.

Somewhere about the year 1847 —perhaps earlier—Charles Webb was playing an engagement at the old Chatham theatre in New York. He had at the time become quite a favourite in the larger cities of the union, and to the ordinary play-goer he was equal to the best histrionic ability. During the engagement of which we speak he became quite intimate with a great-hearted young fish dealer doing business in Washington Market. Charley had gone out in Shapleigh’s boat several times on fishing and ducking excursions, and in other ways their friendship had become cemented; Our friend Shapleigh—the fish dealer aforesaid —was considerably of a genius in more ways than one. In his younger days he had belonged to a juvenile dramatic company, and now, in his manhood, since making Webb’s acquaintance, he had been behind the curtain during rehearsal, and had really fancied that ho would “dearly love to appear just once” Webb became satisfied that Shapleigh could act, and was willing to please him, and it so happened that an opportunity presented itself which had not been anticipated. The night of Charley's benefit had been fixed, on which occasion he was to enact the character of Hamlet. The actor who had been set apart for the character of Polonius was unexpectedly called away, in which emergency Webb sought his friend at Washington Market and asked him if he would help him. Enough to say—Shapleigh was glad to do it. The eventful night came, and a front box had been reserved for Bhapleigh’s wife and a little daughter, and other relatives and friends. The bouse was filled—packed—from pit-railing to gallery bulkhead, with every bit of standing room occupied. The play commenced, and all went well, the beneficiary receiving round after round of cheering applause on his entrance ; and the same with the friend who had “magnanimously volunteered his valuable services.” The first act went off smoothly. In the second act, scene 2, Polonius on the stage, with king and queen, when to them enters Hamlet, reading from a book, king and queen are unceremoniously hustled out of the way. Then Polonius to Hamlet : * * How does my good Lord Hamlet ? Hamlet—Well, Qod-a-mercy. Polonius—Do you know me, my lord ? Hamlet—Excellent well. You are a fishmonger. Upon this the indignation of the wife overcame every other sense, and forgetting all else but the direct insult offered to her husband, she exclaimed, “ Well 1 it ain’t very pretty of you, Mr Webb, after Tom has been so good, showing him up in public in that fashion. I’d have you to know that a fishmonger, as you call ’em, is as good as an actor any day 1” It had all been uttered at a breath, and had increased in feeling and vigour as she went on. For a moment after she had ceased a wondering silence fell upon the house. That moment was caught by Shapleigh, whose wits had not forsaken him, and looking up towards his wife’s box, he said, with an assuring nod : “ It’s all right. It’s so in the book I ” And then, the secret out, the house came down. It can be imagined.