New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-16

see the idea" And hs read my side
splitting jokes with the face of an under
taker on duty. "We don't care much for
new farces; the company know the old ones,
and we find that they answer our purpose.
Yes, or Mop comedy in three acts.
Hardly suited to us. Country audiences
are rather of Victorian tendencies, and re-
auire strong food. What is this All!
rather of the realistic school. Our re-
sources are hardly equal to that, though
we have one of the finest stages out OF Lon
don. What have we here! The Snug
glers Bride"
"Oh, that's nothing" 1 said; ~ didn't
know that it was among the others. It's a
wretched affair I wrote long time ago. 1t
is no good"
Delamere read on. mo good, no good
why. it's Just the thing for us. Rather de-
fective in stage arrangement; in fact, here
it is quite impracticable, but we can alter
that. Very good, very good, indeed. see;
Raval, the smuggler, is the brother who was
supposed to have been drowned. What
character Letchford will make of Sir JAS
per! First rate man, LetchfOrd. Hardly
enough comic business, but you can write
that up a little, and introduce song and
dance for Harley; he will like it. Splendid
scene in the second act-the rescue of Lady
Alice We must have the whole strength
of the company for the fight"
ALI this appreciation was quite unex-
pected; but, with Delamere's approval, my
own opinion of my once despised bantling
was much increased.
"Let me see" he unused aloud, "this is
Tuesday, and we open on Thursday. we
will underline The Smugglers Bride for
the Monday No, though; there's a con.
cert at Town Hall on that night, which will
take away many of our patrons, and you
must have full house for your first APP
pearance, so we'll say Tuesday. Make the
soon as possible, and We will put 1t into
rehearsal"
l strolled out, vainly endeavOring to
think of some jokes wherewith to
strengthen the part of my comic miller, but
beyond the reason which tradition has de-
cided on as explaining the secret OF his
partially for assuming white hat, could
find nothing. However, a couple of days
hard work made sufficient alterations to
please Delamere. the piece was put into re-
hearsal, and, in the opinion of the company,
would "go."
| was making my way to the theatre on
Tuesday morning, when on passing the
Grand Hotel, l saw on the steps In front OF
the house the person of all others l was
least prepared to meet-mine ancient
enemy Thomas. should have passed on
with bow, but he descended the steps
and held out his hand.
"An unexpected pleasure to meet you
here, Mr.. Thomas" l said.
He smiled, and replied:
Not quite unexpected on my part. l
saw some one pass the window yesterday
when l was at luncheon, and the waiter
told me it was a gentleman connected with
the theatre. | was so convinced it was you
that l went down to the theatre as soon as
/ had finished my meal, but you were so
busily engaged that did not like to disturb
you. l had SO much to attend to that |
contented myself with the assurance that it
was you. and determined to find you to-day.
just looked in, and saw you and great
many people engaged in tremendous fight.
gave concert last night, you know" and
he pointed to bill on a neighbOring wall,
which l had not noticed, announcing that
Mr.. Henry Thomas would give concert at
the Town Hall, etc.
His tone was so cordial and his manner
so cOnciliatory that l began to reproach
myself for my distant behavior to him, and
almost to fancy that must have been mis-
taken in the view [ had taken of his atten-
tiOns to Alice; attributing the GOODNESS
which had existed between us to my own
conduct.
"And so you are on the stage" he said,
as we walked together down the Parade;
land how do you like it! Hard work. Well,
but it is very pleasant work! You'll be as
tOnished to hear that l always had great
desire to be an actor; but SO few of us set
tie to the profession for which we are
suited"
"T'm sure that can't be said of you, Mr..
Thomas. and it would have been a serious
loss to the musical profession had you chos
en- any other.
"You are kind to say so, he replied; Il
always think there is such a charm about an
actors life. When l was young there was
prejudice against the profession, but now l
am told not only gentlemen, but ladies,
adopt it. Of course, / have frequently ap-
peared before large audiences on the plat
form of the concert room, but behind the
foot light is an unknown region to me,
which should like to explore very much.
have heard of wings, and flies, and floats,
and traps, but have very indistinct idea
of their natures"
If you care about exploring at our thea
tire, said, II shall be delighted to afford
you the opportunity. Our stage is not
large, but it is very completely finished.
Of course, you will come to the theatre this
evening! We play drama of my own;
am Mr.. Lindsay; l dare say you have seen
some of the advertisements"
~ proposed to return to London this
a tempting treat. Could you possibly per-
NIT me to be behind the scenes with you p
"Oh, certainly" replied, 81 shall be de-
lighted. | must hurry off now. fear, or
will be late, and this is our last rehearsal.
will call for you at your hotel about half
past six; so now du recOir." And with a
cordial shake of the hand he left me at the
door of the theatre.
Rehearsal passed off well, and evening
approached-the evening on which was to
make my first appearance as an actor and
draInatist; and my state of anxiety can, l
expect, only be fully cOmprebended bv
those who have been in a similar position.
L had a call for Thomas. and left that
worthy, when l went to dress, wandering
about with that unhappy and helpless ex-
preston of countenance which usually char
acterizes fish out of water and people ont of
place.
Il shall see you presently" l said to him,
as emerged from my room. II must apol-
ogize for leaving you, but l have so much
10 attend to. All Miss Merville your dress
dish ? Oh there she is. Miss Cavendish,
you won't forget that the whole effect of
the situation in the third scene depends
upon your entrance the moment the cue is
given! Thanks! De Lacy, you remember
the alteration we made this morningf You
are to die L., and then enter r. You've
got the clogs, see Harley; are they all
right nowi Smith, you quite understand
about darkening the stage9 By Jove,
there's the overture ~
The last bars were played, the bell
and the curtain ascended-my
ship was launched
Harley, our low comedian, who played
the miller, opened the scene with Miss Stan
ley, the sOubrette, and l never heard music
30 sweet as the laughter which followed
heir dialogue, and which gave me hopes
hat my ship would float. | fear must
plead guilty to q queer feeling in the throat