The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-29
THE WRONG TRAP.


In the vicinity of Drury Lane theatel
stands a hostlery which boasts the
curious sign of the City of Lushing
ton" The house is a great resort fol
actors and for those genial owners oi
open hearts and straitened pockets who
glory in belonging to the order OF
Antediluvian Buffaloes. The chief
room of the inn is the meeting-room OF
the Bufaloes. 1t is divided into
wards" so-called, and these divis-
ions have lugubrious titles-Poverty
ward, Insanity ward, and Suicide ward.
A moral underlies this labelling of the
evils which follow the abuse of good
liquor.
One evening in October two comedians
met under the shadow of Insanity ward
at the Getty of Lushington." They
were artists of very humble stamp
pantomimists who picked up living ia
strolling fashion during the summer,
and whose harvest time was Christmas,
and the wee KS of January and February.
One was harlequin yclept Smithers,
but preferriug to be called in the bills
Signor Tomato. The other postured as
clown his name was Pudson, and he
too had NOM de theater, calling him
self Little Puddikins.
To the latter personages, smoking in
gloomy solitutie-for the usually we'll
filed, room of the "City of Lushing-
ton " was that night empty-entered
Mr.. Smithers. The old colleagues
greeted each olher warmly, for they
had shared in the frolics of many a
harlequinade.
"And how has luck gone with you ?"
asked Pudson, after some talk together.
Fairly for the time of year." an
swered the harlequin. 81 have taken
ballot troupe on tour through the
second. rate towns, and done pretty
we'll"
''I have been lucky and unlucky by
shifts and starts--doing bit here and
there at the circuses, and taking a turn
now and then at the m usie-halls. That
pays best of all. have a good mind
to cut pantomime and go in for that
entirely"
"Not just yet, any way. You are
engaged for the Forum, aren't you?"
asked the harlequin.
''Not yet, but expect to be, replied
the clown.
81 am, and so is my little woman"
"Confound it - ejacul ated Pudson
&c 1 hoped TO get Mary in there"
"But Lora has got it. She's to be
columbine."
"Is that your girl? ?''
"That's mine, Lora with an 0, not
your common Gu."
"Oh," said the clown, refectively, |
Hightalian, suppose ?"
''She passes for a Hightalian, but
she's English. She's billed as Lora
Lorini."
The two friends shook hands and
parted as the Getty of Lushington"
began to receive an inaursion of its
usual frequenters.
n.-PUDsoN's STORY.
/ am lying here ON this bed helpless.
I shall not die yet, the doctor says
the bones are setting, and in few weeks
I may be about again; bat 1 shall never
be fit for the clowns business any more.
This misery and suffering 1 brought
upon myself it has been rhe result of
my own wicked animositJ the conse-
quence If a jealousy which urged me
into crime. 1 will tell you how it came
about.
] Joined the Forum company this last
winter when Smjthers and I engaged
for the pantomime. To my surprise, |
found that the girl to whom l had been
paying addresses - Mary Morris by
engaged for columbine. I
had understood from Smithers that
some sweetheart of his named Lora
Lorini was going to take that part.
The sight of Mary was an unexpected
pleasure, and going up to her L said
Mary, my dear, this is good luck
but [ thought the colunlb was to be
Lora Lorini."
$50 she is, she answered.
"What, then, are you to be? Harle-
luin, or some nonsense of that sort p
"No-columbine."
I stared at her, utterly ignorant of
ler meaning.
"Don't you know" she went Oh,
. that my professional name is Lora
Iorini ?"
I was staggered.
"But, Srnithers, cried-"S "Smithers
.laims Lora as his girl? Surely, Mary,
,ou have not been playing both of Us
alse ?"
"His girl, indeed Neither his nor :
ours, if it comes to th hat, unless yOu {
,eep a civil tongue in your head. Can't
girl have more than one admirer, /
hould like to know ?"
She may have dozen admirers, but
ne cannot have more than one plighted I
over, if she has any sense Of decency." 7
Mary turned on her heel and hounced /
fl. [ noticed during the rehearsals c
low she devoted herself exclusively to c
,mithers, while 1 got never word. s
here came bitter, gnawing pain at t
nv heart at being treated so-a hunger /
0 be revenged on him and her. Many [
time had it in my mind to stick my C
Iasp-knife into his throat; but the at n
empt was too risky: it might have P
allied, and 1 should iDfallibly get ar a
este for it. u
I brooded over subtler revenge but I
rst I took Mary aside. 81 want to
peak to you," said.
ST don't want to speak to you," che
aucily answered.
"No folIies-this is a weighty mat -
Dr." L retorted sternly. "Listen and - =,
@ careful"
$50 on" "
81 ask you if you love George Smith =,
RS better than you do me ?" u