Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-04
BETSY BAKER.
She was an OId-Time show Manager
Her Gilt of Cab.

|
All the Year Ro undl
A famous provincial, or manager o
manageress, was one Mrs. Baker, con
cerning whom curious particulars ar
related in the memoirs Of Thomas Dib
din, and in the life OF Grimaldi, th,
clown. The lady owned theaters at Can
terbury, Rochester, Maidstone, Tun.
bridge, Wells, Feversham, Deal and othel
places, but was understood to have com
meneed her professional career in con
nection with puppet show, or even the
| homely entertainment of Punch and
Judy. But her industry, energy and
enterprise were of an indomitable
kind. She generally lived in her thea
ters, and, rising early to accomplish her
marketing and other household duties,
she proceeded to take up her position in
the box-ofiice, with the box book open
before her, and resting upon it mas
sive silver inkstsnd, which, with superb
pair Of silver trumpets, several cups,
tankards and candlesticks of the same
pure metal, it was her honest pride to
say she had paid for with her own hard
earnings" While awaiting the visits of
those desirous to book the places for the
evening, she arranged the programme
of the entertainments. Her education was
far from complete, however, for although
she could read, she was an Indifferent
scribe. By the help of scissors, needle,
thread and bundle Of old play. bills, she
achieved her purpose. She cut play
from one bill, an nterlude from another,
farce from third, and, sewing the slips
neatly together, avoided the use Of pen
and ink. When the name of a new per
former had to be introduced she lett
blank to be filled up by the first of her
actors she happened to encounter, pre-
suming him to be equal to the use OF
pen. She sometimes beat the drum or
tolled the bell behind the scenes when
the representation needed such embel
lishments, and occasionally performed
the duties of prompter In this respect
it was unavoidable that she should be
now and then rather overtasked. On
one special evening she held the book
during the performance Of the old farce,
" Who's the Duke2' The part of Gradus
was undertaken by her leading actor,
one Gardner, and in the scene Of Gradus'
attempt to impose upon the gentleman
of the story, by attempting to speak
Greek, the performers memory unlor-
tunately failed him. He glanced appeal
ingly toward the prompt side Of
the stage Mrs. Baker was mute,
examining the play book with a
puzzled air. "Give me the word,
madam" whispered the actor. It's a
ba.d vo.d 1an, - tba ladu rapliad
Then give me the next. That's
harder" The performer was at stand
still; the situation was becoming despe-
rate. The nextl" cried Gardner furi-
ously. Harder still" answered the
prompter; then perplexed beyond bear
ing, she flung the book on the stage and
exclaimed aloud: There, now you have
them all; take your choice" The lady's
usual station was in front of the house,
however. She was her own money
taker, and to this fact had been ascribed
the great good fortune she enjoyed as
manager. !" Now then, pit or box, pit or
gallery, box or pitt" she cried inces-
sanity. PitI pitt half dozen voices
might say. Then pay two shillings.
Pass on, Tom Fool" For so on busy
nights she invariably addressed her pat
rons of all classes To woman who
had to 60 out OF the theater, owing to
the cries Of child she bore in her arms
disturbing the audience, Mrs. Baker OBJ
served, as she returned the entrance
money. Foolish womaul Foolish wo-
mani Don't come another night till
half price, and then give your baby some
of Dalby' carminative. " l remember"
writes Dibdin, "oue crowded night
patronized by a real duke at Tunbridge
Wells, when Mrs. Baker was taking
money for three doors at once, her aux
iety and very proper tact led her, while
receiving cash from customers TO keep
an eye in perspective on the next, to
save time, as thus: Little grill get
your money ready while this gentleman
pays, My lord I'm sure your lordship
has silver Let that little boy 60 in
while | give his lordship change,
Shaut count after your ladyship His
royal highuess will please get his ticket
ready while my lady-now, sirl Now,
your royal highuessl Oh dear, Mrs
Baker, I've left my ticket in another coat
poeketl' To be sure you havel Take
your royal highness' word Let his royal
hiphness passl His royal highness has
left his ticket in bis other coat pocketI
Great laughter followed, and believe
the rank and fashion Of the evening
found more entertainment in the lobby
than on the stage"