The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-24

WalstCOat dOes the high tragedy. MIR. Wolf,
Mr. Forester. The rest of our troupe have
gone on before to engage hall in the coun-
ty town-to post the bills-to propitiate the
editor-and to bespeak favorable hearing
for us and for our tragedy.'"
"Ah, you are happy, my friends" said
Gerald; "while L"
care you unhnppy2" cried the dark-eycd
girl, laying her hand lightly on the young
mans arm.
The most miserable dog alive! cried
Gerald.
"Iow," exclaimed the manager in his
deep stage tones.
"Nly uncle wants to set me up in bust
ness"
"iIang businessl" said the ruddy cheek
ed gentleman, Mr.. Wolf.
"And he wants me to marry rich
widow"
''Hard-hearted old hunks!" cried the
black-eycd girl, winking slyly at the TRACE
dian.
t'In Short" said Gerald, eve must part.
| have been casting round for "a profession,
and don't see that can do anything bet
ter than turn actor"
''Sir," said Mr. Bivvins, "your good star
led us here to day. You're born to shine
upon the boards sir. Are you up in any
parts, Mr.. Forrcster2"
81 know fifty plays by heart"
''Romeo, for instance2"
''Every word of it,"
''fhen we're in luck |" cried the manager.
''What do you say, Mr.. Wolfe Two first
appearances for one night tn draw like
pitch plaster. Therell be twenty dollar
house. You know you only consented to
do Romeo to oblige me. Well, you take
Tybalt, and let MIR. Forester take Romeo" {"
MIR. BiVvins then explained to Gerald
that they we're to play Romeo and Juliet
that night to introduce debutante, Mrs.
Mortimer, to generous and discerning pub
lie. Mrs. Mortimer was q romantic young
widow, of splendid talents, who had run
away from the tyranny of her friends in
New York, and just joined the company
She was beautiful and accomplished
Gerald did not see her face till he en-
countercd her upon the stage at night.
Then he was dazzled by her charms They
were not those fictitious beauties which the
close glare of the footlights reveal in all
their treachery to the actor, though they
strike the distant audience with bewilder-
ment. No pearl powder and carmine, but
the roses and lilies of youth and health
adorned her lovely face. Her rounded arms
and shoulders shamed the pearls that rested
on them. Amid the awkward figures that
surrounded her, she moved with the grace
of queen. 1t was not difficult for the
Romeo of the evening to feign ON attach
ment to 80 beautiful q creature, and before
the curtain fell, amid thunders of applause,
he found himself pleading the cause of a
real passion.
And from this moment he w0oed the lady
in downright earnest, and was ultimately
accepted. She never asked what his pros
poets were, nor did he inquire into her an
tcccdents. 1t was enough for the giddy-
pated fellow that she was beautiful, and
loved him. They had about a hundred dol
lars between them, and with that to live up
on, until something turned up, they con-
cluded to abandon the strolling company
without beat of drum, and, eloping to New
York. they there got married.
Before the month was out they had run
| to for want Of funds. Then Gerald, with
! starvation staring him in the face, roamed
New York in search Of employment. Dis
| appointment met him everywhere. Moth
ing remained but to throw himself on the
generosity of his uncle He communicated
| his project to his bride; she acquiesced in
the arrangement, and, raising funds by
pledging a gold watch, they started for
Forest HILL
Mr.. Forester was reading in his library
when the couple were announced. He
! dropped his paper, and the couple fell at
| his feet.
"Uncle, pardon me |" exclaimed Gerald,
for running away without your consent.
"Uncle-a',y uncle |" cried Mrs Forres-
ter; "de an uncle and please pardon Ger
aldi"
''Get up, you blockhead you'll burst the
knees of those ridiculously tight panta-
loonsl" cried the old gentleman. "Julia,
don't be making fool of yourselfi"
'Julia2" cried Gerald - how did you
learn her name2" -,
ooh, she's an old friend of mine" said
the old gentleman, winking mischicvously.
stEh, Jule2"
The bride burst into fit of hearty laugh
| ter
''Nephewl" said the old gentleman, cal
low me to present you to Mrs Rashton
that was"
''Mrs. Rashton" exclaimed Gerard, in
amazement.
''Yes-the widow you tried to run away
from---but whom you ran away with, after
all, my boyI"
'What have l been a dupe9" cried Cor.
aid. s.
"Doh't be angry, my lad. Your old un.
Gle only borrowed little bit Of your ro-
nance to cure you of your visionary notions.
I engaged those strolling actors to come IN
to my grounds, because knew very well
you'd 60 off with them. induced Julia to
make her first appearance-and saw 1t,
too, through pair Of green spectacles, with
a red wig on my head, and AN old plaid
cloak around me. Yet paid my quarter
to see the show. Ha hal"
''Fairly trapped!" cried Gerald. &
eyes, and If you 60 tramping round the
world like gypsy, trying TO realize youl
day dreams, you'll be everybodys dupe
Yet suppose you are determined to make
the stage profession. sa,
| 'tNot so, uncle;" said the young mar
rather sheepishly; 'T'tried to get a clerk
ship In New York. /"
"And they wouldn't have you Hal ha