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


where its author was already fayosably
known-and excited the interest Of the
most exalted theatrical potentates.r An
| overhowing and critical house was nstur-
any expected to witness the first represen.
tation.
But alas for the instability OF human
hopes and the hcsleness Of deceitful For
tune. The very dav before the great pro-
duction Miss Rawlings the leading lady.
VINO had been threatened for some time
with - mptoms OF the dsfiguring malsdy
before alluded to. appeared at rehearsal
with face inflamed swollen. and distort
ed, aud declared herself incapable OF ap-
pearnI in the part allotted to her.
Terrible was the dismay created by this
Catastrophe. For a brief half hour Des-
pair aud Chaos reigned in the dismal and
dimly-lighted region behind the fooiliyhts
and frantic shrieks resounded through the
cavernous snd misty gulf of the auditor
inm, draped in brown holland, aud hung
with crystal gaseliers that seemed TO
shake and quver with the uprosr,
| When the inevitable fiat went forth that
the piece could not be played, Miss Somer-
vile, the chanbermaid, who had part in
which she expected to set the Thames on
! hre went into boisterous Mysteries In the
arms oi Simpkins. the low comedian;
Mrs. Harman, the first old woman, Shrek
/ ed aloud her disappointment in Quaver-
/ Ing treble; Johnson, the heavy villain.
/ took the corner with impressive strides
aud deep bass rumblings; while poor old
/ ,humleigh fairly danced Il hornpipe with
/ despair.
! dian. alone was silent, though upon me
the blow had perhaps fallen heaviest OF
all. sly part was magnificent one and
i"r years had been working hard in the
country, aud iudulging in the dream OF an
eventual success in London. Now at the
last moment, when the chance for which
had waited seemed approaching, to have
The cup dashed as il were from my very
lips was almost more than he could bear.
was fairly stunned Tor the time by the
overwhelming nature OF the blow.
II was after the comtnotion had sutsided
aud most OF the others had taken their de
partufc. that the conversation | have
above recorded took place with the man
AgeT.
Al its termination ! grope weariy
down the dark stairs leading to the stage
door. and like a man IN n dream Walk
moody home tu my lodgings through the
crowded thorOughfsrr to tell the news 10
Jenny.
| aaye not mentioned that Jenny i NV
wife and one OF the sweetest and hand
soonest and most lovsbe wives in all the
world. dont care what anybody SAYS to
the country.
Poor Xirli The present collapse will be
terrible disappointment to her, for she
too hs- been indulging in dreams OF my
success in London, and visions OF
brougham TO drive iu the park. and a
villa at ~. Johns Wood, together with
new bohncts and dresses TO an unlimited
eXteut. and many other feminine delights
and ambitions to be- speedily gratitird
have been floating through her mind ever
since It became known that the London
managers were coming down. aud would
have the opportunity Of witnessing nv
e1traor dinsry talent.
Poor Jenny, To her am a kcmble or
a kean a. the very least; aud. whatever
the world may eventually decide concern
ing my ability, her tender and unboundrd |
admiration is unspeahably sweet to me.
She rises as enter aQnf 4gnslnhrilglL /
siring-room. wi,h Us. but The next mo /
ment my face aud her womans quick per I
c,ption show her that there is something |
wrong.
Frank. why 90 YOU look Ike that1 |
What dreadful thing has happened: she |
exclaims, hinging her arms round my
NECK with woman's first impulse OF con-
ISOLATION.
II am almost afraid TO tell you dear |
answer ION. jenny, there is an end to
all onr hopes and wishes.
What do you mean, Frank with a
little gasp and pitiful glance of terror
and amazement- w hatcNer II 49, let me
know the worst.
..Jenny,"I say solemuly, Miss Rawl-
ings is too III 10 play her part, and the
new piece cannot be produced
Nv wife does not speak for moment
the news has taken away her breath. Ihen
after slight pause she does not burst INTO
tears and repinings as | have expected,
bnt. quietly putting up both hands, draws
my face down To her aud covers u win
Kisses.
My poor Frank" she whispers-"my
poor Franz!
This i more than | can bear. could
have endured anything but this proof OF
nv darliny's unseIri-h devotion; but under
this nv manhood gives way, and with
hoarse. dry sob | sink into chair ahc
bury my face IN my hands
II she had bewalled her own disappoint-
meut | could have tined TO console her,
and make the best OF mattefs-ii she had
even burst into tears, might have kissed
them away. But this utter iorsetiuIners
OF self In her deep absorbing tenderness
for me. completely overpo"ers me- ahu
cannot utter another word.
For space silence reigns between us,
and Jenny is the first TO break It.
Frank. :" she says, Il have thought oil
som.thiny-the piece can be played, after
all
look up in vague bewilderment, aud
see that she is standing before me, stiaiSht
and resoluLe, with strange spatAiibs
ewes. aud cheeks a. low with some sudden
inspiration. III
..Wnat do YOU mean, dearT | ask, with
an almost unconscious revival oi nope
know that Jenny would not SPEAK so ue
termiuedly without sufficient cause' anu
wait eagerly to hear the soiutioh vi '''e
difficulty.
Promise that you will not laugh al what
| am going TO propose-prsmse that ior
once Frank. you will let me have my own
wav. however hopeless aud wild you may
think my scheme.
II am scarcely in a laughing humor,
DEAR" answer, land you know l always
think YOUR arrangements much too wise 10
be interfered with. For PHYS sake 1eh-
ny, let Us hear your project.
Prank she says, graveiy, MISS nav
lluys Illness shall not Interfere Win oui
| prospects. Go TO Mr.. Chuinleigh ano tell
him that 1 will play the part myself.
star, up aghast! For one terrible mo-
meut il seems TO me that Jenny's senses
| must have deserted her. She mas never
| spoken lihe Oh the stage lh her ne anu
| there are veIy few, even among eAPe'f
.n,.,J actresses, who will undertake
blauk-v.rse part OF any importan lhave
| | mentioned that the new piece Is party
poeticai n at twenty-iour hours notice.
Her calm, determined expression, however
rea.sures me, and shake my head.
..Impossible!' l answer, mourniuily.
my poor child. you don't know what you
are talking about; you cannot Kho" 'ne
difficulty Of"
o;ous mom.uts now," she interrupts lmpa.
tieutly. Frank, | have anticipated All
your obiections. You think could not De
oerfect. But remember l have accom-
/ f-.-l ...,, ,o almost all the IeheArsaIs,