Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-07-20
The next day was Sunday. We had
several hours to ourselves on that duy, and
MN nan, ~ closn1 ,.1.c

several hours to ourselves on that uuy, anu
We completed our plan.
Albert Bright, the head of the Rheto.
ric class, was engaged to write the play /;
but here difficulty arose. Every boy
wanted conspicuous part. Now, it was
impossible for our dramatist to write play
containing hundred heroes. On boing
Informed Of this, a large number declared
they would have nothing to do with the
" concern," and seeded in body.
BIB Boggs was in despair; but Albert
Bright settled the matter by promising to
put in plenty Of soldiers aud brigands-
thus pacifying the malconteuts. '-ast
Our author worked hard 1t the play.
Much to Mr.. Himm's surprise, he missed
all his lessons on Monday, and he must
have written during the night, for on
Tuesday the drama was ready. At recess,
on the same day, the parts were distrib.
uted.
The play was magnificent affair The
hero was twice wounded by poisoned ar.
row, thrice taken prisoner by the Turks,
once cast from precipice into the sea,
aud after all he came out alive and trium.
phant. A few assassinations, captures by
robbers, aud daring rescues, with inumer
able sword -cOmbats, fell to the lot of the
minor characters, so everybody was salts
fed.
Albert Bright was to be Isolne de Bel
viderc, the lovely herone; Bob Boggs,
Ali Mustapha, the cruel tyrant; and the
part of Sir Roland Rougemont, the irwin.
ciblc hero, fell to me. My speeches were
not very hard to learn, as they consisted
chiefly Of such phrases as, defy thee,
tyrant, Beware, mlnion," What, no !!
varet. &c"
On Tuesday night, after Mr.. Hmm had
gone to bed. we had grand rehersal, but
unluckily lie heard the noise Of our spout
ing, and We were nearly discovered-oniy
escaping from the hall by rapid flight.
Bob Boggs was capital manager. He
could coax as well as command he made
the most of his resouccs. All our proper.
ties were hidden in ruined summer.
house that stood in the garden.
Four sheets, serreptitiously obtained
from the dormitory, and fastened together,
were to form the curtain. A number Of
boys spent their recess each day painting
large sheets Of packing paper for scenery.
The paint had been procured for consid-
Grafton from some men who were engaged
in renovatng the doctors rooms.
Had the doctor been in Mr.. Himm's
place, his sharp eye would have noticed
our unusual excitement, without doubt !;
but Mr.. Hmm was SO deeply absorbed in
maintaining his elegant repose Of manner,
that he noticed nothing uncommon. except
that we had been lately very dull about
our lessons. There was no fear Of the
servants telling, for, having received !n-
vitatiuns. they were anticipating the fun.
On Wednesday morning Bob entered
tho reci'ation-room, with very long face
What's the matter, mon ana = asked
Albert Bright-Albert, by the-way, was
rather fond of airing in his French.
"Ah," sighed Bob, "it's all up. Mr..
Hmm won't give supper tonight, after
allw
If VIC had been girls, we would have
tainted.
EYES," continued Bob, "all our plans
are disarranged. The supper won't take
place till Saturday"
We breathed again. II was not so bad
as W. had expected.
Its so much the better" said Albert,
"we'll have more time for preparation.
The only thing | regret is we'll have no
aud ience but the servants"
"Oh. don't you fret" said Bob, am
going to invite the Mrs. Popkius and their
gouns ladies'"
Had he proposed to invite the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet, we could not have
been more astouished. The Misses Pop
kins kept an academy for young ladies.
We often met the academy walking out !;
but the young ladies generally turned up
their noses or giggled, and SC sometimes they
made un1atteriug remarks about US in pass
ing, which was.not pleasant. The elder
Miss Popkins looked sharp and severe,
but the younger one seemed nice.
Bob silenced all our objections, and q
politely worried note was dispatched to
the Misses Popkins, inviting them to our
play.
After the note had been given to the
gardener to be delivered to the Misses
Popkins, sudden fear sized upon Albert
Bright.
"Suppose." said he, the ladies should
arrive before Mr.. Hmm starts for the Hen
and Chicken !"
"Thc mere thought Of such dilemma
was too terrible to be entertained, so we
did not entertain it.
When we came to think about costumes
for the actors. then came the tug Of war.
" Making up" the heroine's comp plexion
was difficult indeed. After many expe.
rim-nts the Lady Isoliue was made beau.
tiful by the aid of red ink and chalk /;
her flowing robe was cotton gown, rather
the worse for wear, borrowed from the
cook.
In the dress department Bob's genius
shone resplendent. He proved to be the
right boy in the right place. Caps, jack.
cts and coats were converted by him into
u - -