The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-01-26
TERESTIHG TALE.
Our Play.
1.-THE OCCASION.

We had played "Proverbs," "Hunt the
Slipper" "Dutton, button who has the
Button ~ and all the other plays, to which
iunumerable forfeits are attached, and
which ere paid with innumerable kisses.
Numerous pil2rimages had been made to
''Rome," until finally the zeal of the vo-
taries tagged and still it was only eleven
o'clock, and the entire company was eager
for more amusement.
The scene was my fathers farmhouse !;
the time, beautiful moonlight night in
June the occasion, a gathering of doz-
en- or fifteen neighbor;ng boys and girls
young gentlemen and ladies, would be
more proper perhaps-who had met by
chance, or agreement, as often happens in
rural districts. They had strolled out in
pairs, or groups, in the early part of the
summer evening, and finally all congrega-
ted at Uncle Beu's-as the patriarchial
mansion of my father was known, far and
near-and there were enjoying themselves
In rustic sports and merrlment.
The amusements had all tagged, as |
have said, aud still the party was not in
clined to separate. A dozen new games
were proposed, but some one raised objec-
tions to them all. Finally, theatrical
entertainment was suggested, aud met with
general favor. But serious difficulty of
tered itself to the plan: not one Of the
company knew part in any play. The
objection was apparently insurmountable,
but was finally overcome by the brilliant
idea of eXtemporlzing performance
Then there was a busy and noisy consul
tation concerning the plot, the characters
and who should fill them, and what they
should do, and all the other business APP
pertaining to stage management. In all
this, the giIls had the most to say, and
their imaginations kindled with the rO-
mantle subject, all agreeing that there
must be beautiful and interesting strange
lady, who must be shut up in some haunt
ed old castle; and there must necessarily
be a noble and courtly lover, who should
rescue her from danger, and on whom she
must bestow her hand; and then there
must be base and black-hearted rival,
if nothing else. Order was finally restored
from this confusion, and the plot and
characters arranged. Kate Holden ap-
pointed herself stage-manager, and an
nounced the following "cast' for the
thrilling three-act drama of ''The Lady of
the Doomed Castle''-"Lady Isabella" :" the
strange and beautiful heroine, Isabel
Heath the noble and gallant "Count
Stefano," the favored lover, my humble
self, Stephen Bland the base and intrigu-
ing "Don Ignacio," the rival suitor, James
Hardinge; the two rufians, Robert Hard
inge and John Heath; ghost, Albert
Clark; "Juana," the maid of "Lady Isa-
BELLA" Jane Clark.
Miss Holden was mischievous little
witch, and she had exercised her greatest
powers of mischief in casting the charac-
tiers of our play. In the selection of Isa-
bel Heath as the heroine, and sustainer of
that particular character, she had shown
admirable judgment, though deserving lit
tie credit, as she was perhaps the only
one of the company who could have acted
the part. She was strange and original
character, naturally; her disposition
curious mixture of wild mirth and serious
thoughtfulness. She possessed complete
command over her rich voice, and had
wonderful power of language. These per-
sonal peculiarities fitted her admirably for
her part. But the question was whisper
ed, "would she accept it ?' She was self
willed and capricious, we all knew, and
would suit her own fancy entirely. While
the plan of the play was being discussed,
she had been in one of her maddest spells
of merriment, her black eyes laughing at