The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-28
BETSY BAKER,
An Old Time Show aranagsr--nsr GIFT
OF Cab,


An Old Time Show Managsr--nsr Git
OF Cab,
A famous provincial manager or
manageresG, says Au the Year Round,
was one Mrs. Baker, concerning whom
various particulars are related in the
memoirs OF Thomas Dibdin and in the
life Of Grimaldi, the clown. The lady
owned theatres at Canterbury, Roches-
ter, Maidstone, Tunbridge, Wells, Fe-
yersham, Deal and other places, but
was understood to have commenced her
professional career in connection with
puppet show or even the homely en-
tertainment Of Punch and Judy. But
her industry, energy and enterprise
were OF m indomitable kind. She gen.
orally lived in her theaters, and, rising
early to accomplish her marketing and
other household duties, she proceeded
10 take up her position in the box Of
flee, with tho box book open before her,
and resting upon 1t o "massiye silver
inkstand, which, with superb pair Of
silver trumpets, several cups, tankards
and candlesticks Of the same pure
metal, II 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 tho pro-
gramme OF the entertainments. Her
education was far from complete, how
ever, for, although she could read, she
was an Indifferent scribe. By the help
Of scissors, needle, thread and q bundle
OF old playbills she achieved her pur-
pose. She cut play from one bill, IN
interlude from another, q farce from o
third, and, sewing the slips neatly to-
gether, avoided the use OF pen and ink.
When the name Of q new performer had
to be introduced she left q blank TO be
filed up by the first OF her actors she
happened TO encounter, presuming him
TO be equal To the use Of q pen.' She
sometimes beat the drum or tolled the
bell behind the scenes when the repre-
sentations needed such embellishments,
and occasionally performed duties Of
prompter. In this respect II was IN.
avoidable that she should be now and
then rather oyertasked.
On orc special evening she held the
book during the performance Of the old
farce, "Who's the Duke?" The part
Of Gradus was undertaken by her lead.
ing actor, one Gardner; and in tho
scene OF Gradus' attempt 10 impose
upon tho gentleman OF the story, by
attempting to speak Greek, tho per.
formers memory unfortunately failed
him. He glanced appealingly toward
the prompt side Of the stage. Mrs.
Baker was mute, examining The play.
book with a puzzled mir. "Giye me
the word, madam" whispered the ac.
tor. "Ies . hard word, Jem," the lady
replied. "Then give mo the next" !"
"That's harder" The performer was
at q standstill ; the situation was be.
coming desperate. "The next |" cried
Gardner, furiously. "Harder still, T"
answered the prompter, and then, per.
ple1ed beyond bearing, 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 has been ascribed the great
good fortune she enjoyed as q manager.
"Now, then, pit or box, pit Or gallery,
box or pit p she cried incessantly.
"Pit | pitt half o dozen voices might
soy. "The pay two shillings. Pass on,
Tom Fool |" for so on busy nights she
invariably addressed her patrons Of all
classes. To woman who had to go
out Of the theatre owing to the cries OF
child she bor0 in her arms disturbing
the audience, Mrs. Baker observed, as
she returned the entrance money,
Foolish womanl Foolish woman !
Don't come another night till half
price, and then give your baby some Of
Dalby's carminatiye." ~ remember"
writes Dibdin, "one crowded night,
patronized by a real duke OF Turn.
bridge Wells, when Mrs. Baker was
taking money for three doors OF once,
her anxiety and very proper tact led
her, while receiving cash from custom
ers, TO keep an eye in perspective on
the next, TO save time, as thus: 'Lit-
tie girl, get your money ready while
this gentleman pays. My Lord, I'm
sure Your Lordship has silver. Lot
that little boy go in while I give His
Lordship change. Shan't count after
Your Ladyship. His Royal Highness
will please get his ticket ready while
my lady-Now, sir, now, Your Royal
Highness.' 'oh, dear, Mrs. Baker, I've
left my ticket in another coat pocket
'To be sure you have. Take Your
Royal Highness' word. Let his Royal
Highness pass. His Royal IIighness
has left his ticket in his other coat
pocket Great laughter followed, and
/ believe the rank and fashion Of the
evening found more entertainment in
kLa 1atSI.N tboY m tha atano ..