to play out of his sight; but, knowing, young as I was, that the
unexpected sometimes happens, I decided to get rid of "the thing," as my
father was pleased to call it. Fiddle and I parted company the very day
after we came to know each other.

THE "NIGGER" BUSINESS

next fascinated me; and I induced several lads and lasses in the village
to form a "troupe." We got up a show--not a very showy show, but a nice
little show--and charged a reasonable sum for admission--only a
half-penny! The "company" managed, by working together, to possess itself
of a creditable wardrobe. But the "Fell-lane Nigger Troupe" did not live
long. I, for example, began to soar a little higher, that is to the
dramatic stage; but my father evidenced the same bad grace as he did in
regard to my fiddle.

A STROLLING, ROLLICKING PLAYER

I had somehow or other scraped together close upon a couple of hundred
reprints of plays, which cost me from 6d to 2s a-piece. He said he would
have no acting in his house. I pleaded it was only a bit of pastime; but
it was all in vain, and what was more he threw all my books on the fire.
This greatly disheartened me--I should be about 14 years old at this
period;--but though my father burned my play-books he did not quell my
ardent ambition to go on the stage. A few days after, a theatrical man,
called Tyre, visited Keighley. (Oh! how I have blessed that man!) He
advertised for some amateur performers to play in a temperance drama of
the title "The seven stages of a drunkard," at the old Mechanics' Hall
(until recently the Temperance Hall). The piece was to be played nightly
for a fortnight. I mentioned to my father that I should very much like to
take part in the performance. He asked the advice of somebody or other as
to the character of the play, and being informed that it was a temperance
piece, he consented to my serving a fortnight with the company. I
applied, and was gladly accepted. The part of a boy--a boy who, in
manhood, was a drunkard--was allotted to me. The company played for a
fortnight before crowded houses. But my stage career was not destined to
end there. Tyre, seeing that the Keighley public appreciated the efforts
of his local talent, arranged for the performance of another piece,
styled "Ambrose Guinnett." He asked me to take a part in that piece also,
and I agreed on the spot to do so. I was put in as a sailor, and I
purchased in the Market-place a sailor's suit and a black wig,