The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-05-08

OF 10 might be too much for him.
Needn't see II at all," said my mana.
gerial friend; put him In front; moth
ing to do but march In and march out,
and dodge curtain.
He was engaged. i admit / was at
times haunted by grave doubts as 10
whether should not have informed
the manager of his physical condition,
and the possibility that he might some
evening perpetrate real tragedy on
tho mimic stage. but on tho first per-
formance Of "The Destruction OF Sen
nacherib, which conscientiously at
tended, ] was somewhat relieved. /
had often been amused with the pacid
way in which the chorus in the opera
invariably received the most astound-
ing information, aud witnessed the
most appalling tragedies by poison or
the block without anything more than
vocal protest or command always de-
livered to the audience, and never 10
the actors. but i think my poor
friends utter impassiveness 10 the wild
carnage and the terrible exhibitions OF
inccndiarism that were going on around
him transcended even that. Dressed
in q costume that seemed 10 bo the
very soul Of anachronism, he stood q
little outside the prosconium holding
spear, the other hand pressed sppar-
emily upon the secret within his breast
calmly surveying with his waxen faco
the gay auditorium. i could not help
thinking there was q certain pride visi-
BILE even in his placid features as OF one
who was conscious that at any moment
he might change this stimulated catas-
trophe into real torror. l could not
help saying this 10 the doctor, who
was with me. eyes," he said with
professional exactitude, "when il hap
pens he'll throw his arms up above his
head, utter an ejaculation, and fall for
ward on his faoe-it's singular thing.
they always fall forward on their face
--and they'll pick up the man as dead
a. Julius Cesar"
After that I used to 60. night after
night, with q certain hideous fascinn.
ton; but while II will be remembered
the Destruction OF Sennacherib" had
q tremendous run, il will also be re-
membsred that not O single life was re-
ally lost during the representation.
1t was only feN weeks after this
modest first appearance on the boards
OF The man with an Anenrism that.
happening TO be at a dinner party OF
practical business men, ] sought TO In
terest them with the details OF the
above story, delivered with suoh skill
and pathos as could command. re-
gret 10 say that. as for pathetic story
Il for q moment seemed to be dead
failure. At last o prominent banker
sitting next TO me, turned to ne with
the awful question: "Why don't your
friend try to realize on his life insur-
ance2" i begged his pardon; didn't
quite understand. 20, discount. sell
out. Look hereafter pause). Let
him assign his policy 10 me--it's not
much OF q risk, on your statement
Well, I'll give him his s5. 900 clear"
And he did. Under the advice Of
this cool-headed-I think may add
warm hearted-banker, "The Man with
an Aneurism" invested his money in
the name and for tho benefit OF bis wife
in certain securities that paid him a
small bat regular stipend. But he
still continued upon the boards OF tho
tbeater.
BY reason of some business engage
ment that called me away from the city
I did not sec my friend tho physician
for three months afterwards. When i
did, / asked tidings Of The Man with
an Aneurism. Tho doctors kind face
grew sad. "Tm afraid--that is, i don't
exactly know whether I've good news
or bad. Did You ever SEQ his wifef"
Ineyer had.
"well, she was younger than he, and
rather attractive. One OF those doll fac
cd women. You remember, he settled
that life insurance policy on her and
the children; she might have waited
She didn't. The other day she eloped
with some fellow, ] don't remember
the name. with the children and the
5000"
"And the shock killed him." said
with poetic promptitude.
"No-that is--not yet; j saw him
yesterday" said the doctor, with con.
scientious professional precision, look
ing over his list Of calls.
"Well whore is the poor fellow nowi"
Hes still at tho thcater. james, IL
these powders are called for, you'll find
thom here in this envelope. Tell Mrs.
Blank III be there at 7--and she can
give the baby this until come. Bay
there's no danger. Those women are
an awful botherl Yes he's at the theater.
which way are you going7 Down townf
Why csnf you step.into my carriage,
and I'll give you lift; and We walked
on the way down? Well-he's OF the
theater yet. And--and-do you re-
member the Destruction OF Sennach-
erib2 So2 Yes you do. You remem-
ber that women in pink. who pirouett-
ed in the famous ballet scepe2 You
don't9 Why yes you dol Well, i
imagine, OF course. ! don't know-its
only a summary diagnonis, but ! imag-
inc that our friend with the aneurism
has attached himself 10 her."
Doctor, you horrify me-"
There are moro things, Mr.. Poet,
in Heaven and earth than are yet
dreampt OF in your philosophy. Listen.
| NV diagnosis may be wrong. but that
woman called the other day at my Of
fice TO ask about him, his health and
general condition. / told her the truth
and she tainted. 10 was about as
dead faint rs ever saw; i was nearly
an hour in bringing her out Of ID. OF
course il was the heat Of the room, her
exertions the proceeding week, and
prescribed for her. Queer wasn't it?--
Now, il i were writer, and had your
faculty, I'd make something out OF
that"
"But how is his general health2''
20, about the same. He can't evade
what will come, you know at any mo.
ment. He was up here the other day.
Why, the pulsation was as plain-why
the entire arch OF all the aorta--What,
you get out here? Good-by."
OF course, no moralist, no man writ
ing for O sentative and strictly virtuous
public could further interest himself in
this man so dismissed him at once
from my mind, and returned 10 the lii
erary contemplation Of virtue that was
clearly and positively defined. and Of
Sin that invariably commenced with Q
capital letter. That this man in his
awful condition, hovering on the verge
OF eternity, should allow himself 10 be
attracted by-but ID was horrible 70
contemplate.
Nevertheless, o month afterwards,
was returning from festivity with my
intimate friend Smith, my Distinguish.
ed friend Joblipg. my most respectable
friend Robinson, and my wittiest friend
Jones. II was clear, starlight morn.
ing, and We seemed 10 hold the broad
beautiful avenue 10 ourselves, and I
fear wc acted a. IL u were 90. As we
hilariously passed tie corner of Eigh.
teenth street, . couple rolled by, aud
suddenly heard my name called from