Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-11

| "'' ot"'cbNu utu All cStaOIisnPu
favorite with the Northopolis public. and
know perfectly well my part must be sue
cess; and, though under other circumstan-
ces might feel a little pardonabe anxiety
respecting the verdict of the London man
ayers. my one absorbing thought, my one
terrible haunting dread to ght, is Jenny
Overtime and beginners. gentlemen
shrieks the shrill voice of the call boy
Nothing will persuade the Imp that his
views respecting the orthogrophy OF the
first word are somewhat erroneous and
the blunder has often amused us actors
who are generally light-hearted enough
while at the theatre, aud ready to laugh at
the smallest joke.
Look after Mrs. Ellersly this evening.
Harry. there's a good boy" whisper. az
ter beckoning him to me an1 putting half
a-crown in his hand; you know she's not
used to the business
"All right, guvnor. Never say die I'll
pull her through" saws the little wretch.
with patronizing nod, and sticking his
tongue in the side of his mouth, diplomat
ically lodging at the same time the hair
brush hurled Indignantly at his audacious
head, and disappearing with horrid leer.
When had completed my toilet de-
scented I" the green-room, where most of
| the company are already assembled and
grouped round Jenny, who certainly makes
most dazzling picture in her white satin
robe with Its train of purple velvet, aud
perfect blaze Of stage gold and jewellery
! cleaning from her arms and neck and soft
| brown hair.
pause at the threshold | have not
| courage to enter. for know that Jenny ia
undergoing fiery trial. iu which Il would
| be worse than useless to Interfere Con-
! sidcring the kindly nature Of actors among
/ Hnt, a..lK- L Al
always willing to perform for each other
1t Is perfectly astounding what pleasure
they seem to take in attempting to daunt
and terrify one whom they deem novice
or intruder in their ranks; and SO carefully
90 they manage their nsduous attacks that
Tue poor victim generally is unable to re-
tort. and Is led to imagine that his or her
| welfare is the sole.object that has pos
session OF their minds
Foremost among Jcnny's tormcutOrS on
the present occasion is the amiable Miss
Ra" iin-S. who, with features swollen by
disease and even more disiigured- BY jrai.
onsy and spite, has crept down 10 the the
atre to assure herself oS the Ignominious
failure Of her presumptuous substitute.
Don't let them brighten you. dear. She
remarks sweetly. alluding, doubtless, TO
some pleasing observations that had been
made before "Everybody tails af first:
and, when the audience begins to guy and
his you. 90 quietly on aud don't take any
notice"
'Ot course you will feel horribly awk.
ward AT first. my love" chimes in the an
tcdiluvIan Hartman, and the house l. Ger.
tam % scream at your sentimental scenes
but don't give IN. Keep as cpol as pos /
sih!e and don't attcmp, to overact."
II may a well tell you that YOU won't /
bts able. "A hear
serves Mis- Mars'on. the walking lady:
nobody l. able 10 catch the word, until
they AT" thoroughly experienced. - Won
had better walk of aud look at thr book
yourself"
Ii9W a.eNp.rr- kiuu ,hueed 20 raSe Sucn
an interest It'd me-" he answers with sweet
compo-urc II shall certainly try % avail
myself Of your excellent advice.
Surely this is not my gentle loving Jenny
thi. calm. self-po.sessed woman who holds
her own with such careless ease, where
many = proud brave heart has >hrunk acd
quailed AT any rate they have met their
match" think with grim satisfaction.
III she only knows the words, jenny has
pluck enough to acknowledge it, soon be
came absorbed IN the thrilling interest OF
my part.
NV exit amid enthusiastic applause is
the cue for Jenny's first appearance, ard
with my heart literally in my mouth stag
ger against the wing, AMI wait to see how
she will comport herself.
She enter. slowly down a rakng piece"
at the back. and. advancing to the centre
of the stage with Il graceful, gliding mo- /
ton, stands in the iull broad glare of the |
gas and lime lights beautiful and silent a.
statue.
The audience accord her somewhat I
frigid reception. and when the applause
dies away listen eagerly to hear her
speak.
Surely must be dreaming. Low. clear /
and thrilling, penetrating to the tarthest /
end oi the closely packed theatre the tones /
OF my wife's voice rise upOr the silence. /
modulating themselves to the harmony OF /
the sweet sonurous verse she has To speak.
with such exquisite elocution aS | never
remember To have heard
A low buzz Of admiration goes round the
house. Already she has made a favorable
impres sion.
Presently have to re-enter. and we are
left on the stage together.
The scene between US is one of tender
uassion Of tears. of parting aud despair;
and as il deepens in intensity my wife
seems to glow and qniyer with an lnspirs-
ton that is almost supernatural. The In
ness of her voice. first low and pleading.
then fierce and agoniZed. seem absolutely
m netrify the dpnSc audience into GREATNESS
silence but when al length tear myself
from her clinging arms at the close OF the
act, and she falls white and senseless. the
curtain comes down amid such "a thun-
der Of applause as surely the walls OF the
Northopolis Theatre have never resonnded
before Again and again lead her before
the curtain while bouquets from the boxes
fall round Us in dazzling shower. ami PIT
and gallery rise to their feet as one man,
and wave their hats and stamp md shrek
and roar in their ungovernable delight.
When at last the tumult abates, | retire
with Jenny pale by ihi. time, and almost
faintins behind the scenes. Old Chum-
| leigh fliugs his arms around her and me oy
turns. and fir becomes incoheient, and
then h, h,sterical
The author aud th- London critics and
managers troop runnd to the stage and oY-
erwhelm Us with congratulations. The
| members Of h" companv crowd about TO
get in word eigewavs.
| Accent nv congratulations. dear sim
pers Miss Rawlins with savage smile.
| II felt you would be a success from the
first. nv love" quavers Mrs. Harman. ap-
provingly
| How could she help it? She Is so charm
ingr' rhapsodies Miss Marston.
Frank. my boy, your wife will make
your fortune" comments the ponderous
Johnson.
How about novices now, grannyy in
auires young Everard politely.
But up this occasion Mrs. Harman Is
conveniently deaf to his satire.
AS tar as success is concerned. the re-
naming acts are but a repetition of the first
and the piece from beginning to end is one
huge triumph.
but, Jenny" exclaim, when We have
once more reached home, ''are you really
my own little wife or some great enchant-
ress the fairies have sent me in exchanyey
"Don't be absurd, Frank" she whispers
there is nothing so wonderful in what
have done night if you know the source