, his "them's my opinions," in a manner
and tone which they vainly strove to moderate. Fortunately they were in
the main complimentary and approving; and the old seaman's quaint
appearance, his evidently childlike ignorance and inexperience,
diverted those of the audience who were within hearing, and led them to
be indulgent to his rather obtrusive reflections upon men and things.

"Wal," he said, gazing around and above him, up at the lofty frescoed
ceiling, the sparkling crystal chandelier, the rich curtains, and other
adornments of the house,--"wal, it does beat all! It goes ahead of any
meetin'-house I ever see; an', I say, 'tain't fair on the Almighty to
be makin' a better place for to be pleasurin' in, than what we makes
for him to be praised in. Yes, sir; an' them's my opinions, an' I
stands by 'em. What's them folks up in them little cubby-holes fur?"
pointing to the boxes. "Oh," as Douglas explained, "they's high an'
mighty, be they? can't set along of the multitude? Wal, every man, an'
woman too, to her own likin'; I'd as lief be here. Seems kinder
conspicuous like, settin' up thar, an' whiles I ain't ashamed to show
my face afore no man, I don't hanker after settin' up to be stared at."

Happily the occupants of the boxes were beyond the reach of his voice,
or at least of the tenor of his remarks; but the boys were on
tenterhooks lest their garrulous companion should give offence. But
from the moment that the curtain went up, and the mimic scene presented
itself to his gaze, he sat spell-bound and silent, perfectly absorbed
in the vivid portrayal of the chief character in the drama.

The great actor appeared first in the role of a celebrated man of his
own profession, an actor of bygone days, whose name will always be
famous; and from the moment that he stepped upon the stage, it was all
reality to Captain Yorke. There was no "pretendin' he was other folks,"
to him, as it had been when he had witnessed the amateur theatricals
and tableaux at the Point; and with a hand upon either knee, he leaned
eagerly forward, his eyes fixed upon the scene before him, and
absolutely speechless in his breathless interest. But when the curtain
came down after the first act, he broke forth again to the edification
and delight of those within hearing. Ladies listened and smiled at the
simple-hearted old man; and gentlemen, who were near enough, encouraged
him to ramble on, evidently considering him a novel species of
entertai