Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-19

low lIIOCcN. AS ~ Case Ill pOlUG Ol now
greatness may emanate from small be-
ginnings, the manager directed Geof-
fry's attention to gentleman who was
leaning against an opposite wing, wait
ing for his cue to go on.
"Look at that man, SIR" said Mr..
Jenkins, "our low comedian"
The gentleman in question was at
tired, as to his neither man, in pair of
black and-well, say yellow, check
trousers; he was further enveloped in
an Inverness cape; q scarf of many
colors adorned his throat, rendering
the existence of a collar a superfu-
ity; he wore white hat, poised over
his left eyebrow, and was employing
"I know that man, sir" continued
Mr.. Jenkins, when he was little boy,
selling oranges and ginger beer in the
gallery; a positive fact, | assure you;
look at him now"
Geoffry, who was perhaps not quite
as much staggered by this episode as
he ought to have been, confined him
self to exclaiming: "By Jove! you
don't say SOP" to which Mr.. Jenkins
rejoined: "Ah! it only shows, you
see," and thereupon left him to "study
the messenger" as he put it.
Geoffry soon found that the path of
a utility man in a provincial theatre
was not strewn with roses, but he was
determined not to be daunted at the
onset, and was resolved, come what
would, to go through with it. It GER
tainly was a little trying at first for an
10 M0i, 10 70 h.r~, ~
on salver, and say: "My lord, the
duke awaits you in the antechamber,"
or to form one of an enraged mob of
three in the opening piece, and turn
up again as a waiter or bailiff with
nothing to say in the last farce. But
light comedians ana .3ea7les pren,ae,s
don't spring spontaneously into exist
ence and take the town by storm, what
ever enthusiastic young amateurs may
think to the contrary; there is no royal
road to success on the stage, and only
patience, study and long experience
will make an actor, no matter how
great his innate talent may be. All
this Geoffry learnt before he had been
fortnight in the profession.
The lady who was engaged for the
|" Sleeping Beauty" in the pantomine
had not made her appearance when he
joined the company, but one morning
a few days after, he noticed new ar
rival at rehearsal, and turning round to
Miss Blanche Anstruther, nee Anne
Elizabeth Plper," who stood beside
him, he asked who she was. "Thats
the Sleeping Beauty" replied the young
lady, with stress on the last word
which showed pretty plainly her opin-
ion of the others personal qualifca-
tons for the part.
cob, indeed" says Geoffry, "and a
very pretty girl she is if one may judge
of her with her veil down."
"She probably knows better than to
'bad complexion very likely" and she
touched up her own little nose with a
powder puff, artfully concealed in her
pocket-handkerchief.
"I don't think she makes up in the
day time at all events" says Geoffry,
and, having fired this parting shot,
goes off to make clear inspection of
the new conner.
"You have small, regular features,
with soft, hazel eyes; your brown hair
grows low on your white forehead, your
hands and feet are small and shapely;
you have musical voice, reserved
manner, and | am not quite at home
with you;' SO says Geofry to himself,
as he stands beside her, talking COM
monplaces about the pantcmime.
Is this your disappearance in Pud-
dlewick" he asks, and continues to
himself, ~ don't believe you've been
long in this Ife."
No; but I've not been here since
was child"
CLEARLY, then, am wrong" he cog
itates, and she has been brought up to
it from infancy, been a phenomenon,
perhaps; I hate phenomenons."
Now, Mr.. Dacres," cried the stage
manager (Geofrey had dropped the
Mildmay) that's your cue, you're up
now; wait for the chord, please; now
then
l bring this message from King Kikero;"
hand the paper to Miss Vaughan;
chord, and down you go again; that's
all right" at which Geof'ry returns to
his companions at the wing and feels he
has made himself ridiculous.
How do you like the profession %
| Is the next question she asks him, and
laughs at the shrug Of the shoulders he
gives in reply.
It is uphill work at FIRST" she con-
tinues, @ but you're sure to get on with
your appearance-no, l don't mean to
fiatter you; / M merely referring to
your personal advantages as worth so
much a week; perhaps when I'm a
manageress may engage you as my
walking gentleman; SO there's some
thing to look forward to-"
Delightful prospect. [ hope you
won't sit on your company"
"That depends upon how they be-
have; perhaps you think I haven't got
temper"
II never met a woman who hadn't"
She looked up at him with a quick
glance and down again. "I'm glad you
say what you think; don't talk non
sense to me, and we shall get On very
xuoIl