ADVENTURES OF A THEATRE PROPRIETOR.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 512, 27 April 1869, Page 4

ADVENTURES OF A THEATRE PROPRIETOR.

(From the Spring Creek Leader.) We have to relate one of the most remarkable episodes in real life that has yet been revealed on this gold field. About three months ago, a respectably-dressed, smart looking gentleman makes his debut on Spring Greek, as the partner in a flourishing hotel and theatre business. He introduces an accomplished young lady as his wtfe, and by his activity and gentlemanly habits, makes himself conspicuous amongst his convivial friends, and becomes a general favorite both off and on the stage. His personal appearance, raven hair, neat well-trimmed jet moustache, polite manners, fashionable attire andgood address, rendered him a lion among his gender, the pride of the platform, and beloved of the barmaids. He goes to Melbourne, engages a company, tells them of a magnificent hotel, commodious theatre, crowded houses, liberal diet and wages, and they fold up their muslins, pack up their slippers, wigs and weapons, and finally bid adieu to the metropolis to pursue their career on a new Eldorado. Arrived at their destination, ideal visions of comfortable quarters, magnificent buildings and wealthy proprietors are dispelled. Weatherboard walls, nnplaned and nnpainted ; audiences, demonstrative enough, breathing forth volumes of smoke, form part of the dreary prospect. The curtain fell on act the first, and the deluded damsels, the too confiding father, and the gay professionals were undeceived. The prospect was anything but pleasing — money anything but plentiful. Certainly there was plenty to eat and drink and be merry with, for storekeepers were credulous, wine and spirit merchants eager for orders, and the firm ranked high in public estimation. The theatre was nightly crowded. Our friend D. sang and acted on the platform, walked the stage with the majestic airs of an old professional, while his partner J. brought forth melodies, sweet, magical and bewitching, with the touch of the bow in the orchestra beneath. However, there is an end to all tlrpgs, and there was an end to D.'s days of felicity and conjugal bliss. Creditors became pressing, benefits became plentiful, so plentiful that at last they would not take. Even the Heathcote hospital withdrew its support and administered a sharp rebuke to the proprietors for using its name for their advantage; rapacious bumbailiffs haunted the house n?ght and day. The money taken at the doors disappeared, and poor servants wanted to know you know where the proceeds went to. Eats forsake a sinking ship, and the public began to forsake the Varieties. There was an attempt made to resuscitate the fallen prodigy, but it proved fruitless. The once gaudy curtains grew dusty with disuse ; the scenery lost its gay effect, and the brilliantly lighted ha l ! revelled nightly in dar'ness ; the paint fled from the forlorn countenances of the disappointed company ; the w^res of the wonderful "appolonian antiphone" vibrated no more by the touch of the unpaid fingers, and the " Marionettes" concealed their antics in a cordial manufactory. The lively and versatile f'D." had many pic-nics, and the best

Sinclair'^ hams« were gobbled up on the banks of the Qoulburn without the slightest compunction, regardless of the tradesman's bill. At length the poor printer took the alarm, and beat a fruitless chase, until " D." pleaded poverty, and he forgave him. One morning the hotel is closed, and placards announcing the sale of the property by auction cover its Avails. Just about this time a sham attempt is made to prosecute the proprietors for illicit grog selling, but the revenue inspector is defeatedrr-the evidence is insufficient —and "D." escapes, The house is sold under a bill of sale, the broken hearted creditors turn up the white of their eyes to heaven, and the pale-faced actor (like Hamletfs ghost) takeß a last agonising look at the scene of his misfortunes and "skedaddles." But "D."has a bolder part to play ;he don't run away— by no means, although his fair and angelip partner of his griefs and sorrows has turned the back of her crinoline on Spring Creek, and her face towards Melbourne, he lingers behind, takes up his lodgings in the centre of the township, and forms an acquaintance with his recent persecutor, the revenue inspector, At an ,arly hour one morning, the driver of a gingerbeer conveyance belonging to pile of his victims, himself on tfie point of collapsing, is accosted by "D.," who, for the purpose of airing his dark moustache and clean paper collar, accompanies him on a tour amongst his numerous customers. Of course none of the unlicensed shanty keepers suspect the late proprietor of an unlicensed hotel; and "D." does a capital stroke in his new capacity of informer, securing in a very short time no less than nearly thirty defaulters. " D. " is much m ore liberal than usu al ; his thirst is insatiable/ and his companion readily believes him the jolliest of dogs. Again the curtain drops on"D."; but the interval between the scenes is short, and when next it rises the stage is transferred from the Lyceum theatre to the Heathcote, where justice sits in solemn dignity before a crowded audience, surrounded by a portly array of lawyers, reporters, constables, and process servers. One after another the unlicensed vendors of beer are brought to account, a few are fined, and some escape. But alas ! f or the ends of justice, the first of the "I>" batch are called upon, but the summonses are discovered to be destitute of the stamp and seal, and the day of retribution, to the dismay of the revenue inspector and the quondam friend " D," is necessarily postponed. The curtain falls once more. A few days elapse and again it rises. This time the scene is in the bar of an hotel in the centre of the township. Detective O'Leary stands alongside of "D." administering to his wants and inviting him to take a walk. They leave in company, wending their way towards the police station, where they bade an affectionate farewell at the door of a padlocked building of unususl strength. In perfect amazement the simple amateurs caught the news and learned the particulars of "D.'s" wonderful transformations. The spurious " D." was a genuine "C," But a few months before his raven hair, so black and glossy, had been a light brown, his shaven chin had worn a bushy beard of goodly dimensions. His occupation was that of a drover. Entrusted with a flock of sheep to take to Beechworth, he is said to have sold 400 at Rutherglen and decamped with the proceeds on the Bth of December last. The rest we have already related. Visiting Spring Creek immediately afterwards, he purchased a half interest in the only large place of amusement on the rush, it is supposed with the proceeds of the flock. Yesterday, he was the first to figure before the bench in a new court house, and was remanded to Rutherglen. The proprietors of the shanties who were .about to be prosecuted held a general rejoicing, and sacrificed their remaining stock of spirits at the shrine of persecuted Bacchus. So terminates this exciting drama for the present, and the curtain involuntarily falls on the career of an eminent actor.