The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-10-22
The Operate Bear.
Il .-n, - f1nn

The Operate Bear.
1t was In 1896.
Among the operas which at that time
were the rage in France, Gerrn,ny, and
England, was Duni's "Laitiere," or Milk
maid.
This little play bears throughout the
stamp Of cxtravagant naiuette; =; everything
in it and about it il maize, hyper naice-the
milkinaid who builds air castles upon her
milk. pail, and then, in moment of abstrac-
.ion permits :he foundation Of her hopes 20
fall from her head the enam -ured hunts
man who wishes Cor nothing more than some
day to shoot bear, whose skin, he is CON-
vinced, will insure to him future care and
sorrow free and the scar, who. to crown
the wishes Of the lovers, finally permits
himself to be disposed of without resistance
The huntsman shoots-the bear falls to the
ground-thc victor seats himself upon the
body Of his victim and sings:
.'iIurrah hurrah how gloriou. ends The fray
The bear has lo-t--:he hunter wiSs the day -
Thc 'Milkmaid' was ut last brought out
in London, and had soon outlivcd dozen
representations. The charming music, the
aaiue couplets We're in everybody's mouth.
One morning the 'supe' who had the
honor Of playing the bear, was calle1 up on
by young gentleman clad in the height of
the fashion.
"You ar, Mr.. Tnpleton - inquired the
visitor
"At your service, sir"
"You pl,y the bear in this evenings op.
era?"
II do, SIR"
"Mr. Topleton, I have favor. to ask Of
you! !!
II shall be happy to obligc you!'
wv Ill you resign your role to III. for this
cvening?''
You wish to-"
IL wish to make my debit in your role
this evening"
"In that case, sir, you must present your
demand to the manager"
THAT is just what wish to avoid, and,
therefore have come directly to you"
'But you must be aware, sir, that can
not resign my role to stranger without
the consent of the manag.r. Besides,
don't know whether"
"Whether am competent to undertake
the part, you were about to observe. As to
that, you may be sure that shall not dis
grace either yourself or the bear have
s;evcn times seen you in that difficult and
intellectual role, and have become so well
acquainted with your style, have penetrated
so deeply into the character of the bear,
and into the various lights and shadows
Of his individuality, that I am sure
shall not only obtain the applause OF
the public, but what prize much higher,
the favor and indulgence of my illustrious
and Incompatible predecessor"
This was too much increase for the supc
at gratifies me, sir, that you are pleased
to do justice to my humble talent. think
may venture to say, without prcsump
ton, that no actor, either in England or on
the continent, has better conception OF
this Bear than your humble servant 1,
may sound rather egotistic, sir, when say
that am gifted with most extraordinary
genius for the representation of qladrupe
dal characters, and am so fully aware Of my
powers that, in that particular line, sir,
gentleman sternly in the face,) "no one
sir!"
Your modesty exceeds even your tai
ent, Mr.. Toppleton ~
| "Have you ever seen me in my ape role
| admire modesty above everything, sir
but must say that ape characters are III,
favorite. am an ape, comme IL tuut. o
have you ever seen tn. elephant? pla,
only the left hind leg, but my conception
of it is so exact that you would swear it wa
an elephants leg"
''T" return to the brar. Come, you vii
have the goodness, to resign me your rol
for this one evening."
"But, the deuce, what will the manage
say to it The direction might hold IN
responsible"
Permit me single question, Mr.. Top
plcton. What is your sal.ry?"
| "A half crown day."
Good! | Twill give you thirty guinea
down if you will but have done with YOU
s:ruples, and let me appear tonight as tn
bear"
Thirty guineas where arc they ~
'Here. replied the other, placing rou
leau in supe's;outstreched hand
"Why, that is fifty guincas!'
ayes the odd twenty are for your mask
which will you have the goodness to len,
me for this evening"
Fifty guineas what bear can with
stand such honeyr'
$50 it is settled, then p
Faith, yes, and to night you make your
debu. as Bruin."
The theatre was full crow led. RI,
players were all cordially welcomed, an,
each song was enthusiastically applaudei
The bear, from his first appearance in tn,
scene with the huntsman, had drawn the
attention of all the spectators upon him
self.
sour bear improves wonderfully ~
"lle pcnetrates daily deeper and deepvl
into the character Of tn, bcar!'
"llis conception Of the niceties Of bear
life is astonishing!'
'lIc is a capital bcar-a glorious bear-a
bear without an equal y
EVERY inch bear -
And all wondered; and:all were amaz I'd
and all Numbered out the mos. terrific ap
plause. Indeed, the bear gave such i'm
mensc satisfaction that h. was called ou,
Immediately after the first scene
The bear appeared, made a low b Nv, and
then, in actor fashion, retired, deeply affect
ed, to his dark corner in the dressing room
"Nnw, Mr. Topplcton," said the new
bear to the old one, "how are you pleased
with the ~
~ must admit, sir, that you have the
ability to become, in tim, most eminent
bar. You have good model in myself
and need only initiate me closely to b. IN a
position some day to make your fortune or
any stage in the world"
REST assured, friend Toppleton, that |
shall avail myself of all your suggestions
and shall make every effort to approach, in
a degrcce at least, to the excellence of my
distinguished master"
Finally the last scene had approached -
The bear appears upon the stage-he is