The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-26

conner attentively, who, upon bis part, ap-
peared to regard him with the uttermost
concern. Mr.. Wbiffles had occasion to
shift his tromhone-PuiEler did likewise.
Mr.. Whitlles felt for his handkercbicI-Mr.
Pufiler followed bis example. All this
seemed very mysterious, and Mr.. Whites
was lost in wondcment when the overture
commenced. Luckily the tromboncs were
not wanted until the commencement Of
the drama. The overture ceased.
snow, look out" observed Mr.. Whit
iles' ncighbcr-"it's you now,n
Mr.. Whillles mechanically raised the
instrument to his lips, keeping a steadlast
gaze the while upon the proceedings Of
Mr.. Pufilcr, who did bis best to stare Mr..
Whittier out Of countenanre Mr. Love
Joy looked round, and seeing the tromboncs
perfectly ready, awaited the rising Of the
curtain. 1t was an agOnizing moment.
The silence was positively painful. One
might have heard pin drop. The small
bell was. heard again. Mr.. Loyeioy tap
ped his desk, and the curtain slowly rose
in SOLEMN ,ieRoel Mr.. Ljveioy began
beating the time slowly, and had even ac-
complsheda few strokes before he realized
the fact. Turning round TO ascertain tue
meaning Of this extraordinary circum.
stance, bis surprise and bCwiderment
may well be imagined at Perceiving the
two trombone.p players hard at work, dis
tending their checks to their utmost ca.
paeity, neryously manipulating their in
struments, and producing not sound !
And the most unaccUuntable thing was
they never took their eyes OF one auOth.
cr. Mr.. LoyCJoy was translixed with
amaZcment.
"This is very strange," thought Mr..
Whiiies,n y VI wonder when that fellow is
going to begin !"
The little bell tinkled again and again.
Mr. RusSct stepped upon the stage with
some amount Of dignity, and lett it without
any, under the Impression that he was q
triile too soon. The stage manager, a
gentleman Of excitable temperament, and
much addicted to the use Of passionate
language, who played one of the principal
parts in the piece, rushed from his room,
discharged on the spot an inoIIcnsivc
"super" who, unfortunately, happened to
cross his path at the time went, half.a-
dozen at time, down the score oi a rick.
city stairs, at the imminent hazard Of
breaking his neck, and, appearing at the
little door under the stage that led into
the orchestra, demanded in unmeasurcd
terms what the-vsry bad word-Mr,
Loyejoy meant by such conduct, and why
tlc-excessiyely rude obseryation-hc
didn't go ont Mr.. LoVcjoy was too as
founded too make areply. lie could only
point in silent wonder to the two from
bones. There they sat ruiling and blow.
ing vigorously, but with no result. The
stage. manager gcsticulatGd violently and
nearly had llt. The audience, unable
to comprehend what was going on before
their eyes, hissed loudly; and, finally, the
curtain fell. Then, Mr.. Loyejoy gave vent
to his feelings. lie leaped IrOm his seat
and rushed towards Mr.. WhiiIles, who,
painting with exhaustion after his unac-
customed exCrtions, was wiping the per-
splration from his face, wondering what
on earth was going 10 happen next. No
sooner, however, did he see the angry
Conductor advancing towards him than,
with an iptuitivc perception that some
thing unpleasant was about to occur, be
made precipitatc rush through the little
door under the stage, hotly pursued by
Mr.. Loyejoy, whoopportunely came across
the foreign gentleman quietly sneaking
away, and fell upon him tooth and nail.
The foreign gentleman, being cllolcric,
knocked Mr.. Loyejoy down. Mr.. Loyeioy,
being by no means deficient in pluck, re-
gained the perpendicular, and-7in the Ian
guage Of the Ring-let the foreign gen
tielnan shave it.n That individual next
seized the astonished Whflies and en-.
deIvored to drag him before Mr.. LUvejOy,
in order that he might undergo condign
punishment, when the foreign gentleman
Slipped they both fell, and the two from
bone-players mysteriously disappeared.
They mad fallen down m unused well
under the stage, Mr.. Whiflles undermost,
There being but little water they were
soon extricated, aud, fortunately, no bones
were broken.
The two gentlemen, altera very excited
interview with the stase-manager, were
shortly afterwards permitted to depart.
Mr.. 0'Leary, next day, was duly in
formed Of the disaster, and lost his situa-
tion. The same fate befell the unfortunate
puflier, who, 1t appeared upon inquiry,
was really laboring under some severe in.
disposition that threatened to conilne him
to his bed; and, being naturally unwil'
ling to lose his SALARY, he provided sub.
stitute, like Mr.. WhifIles, utterly unable
to play. and to whom he gave, in effect,
Instructions almoIt identical with those
given by Mr.. 0'Leary to our hero.
Mr.. Whiflles returned 10 the home Of
his ancestors a saddcr and wiser man,
lie has never been in q theatre since,
and never thinks without shudder Of
his terrible adventure connected with
the Two Trombones. r .- ..H