Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-06-28

subject.
On the evening of the performance,
she packed up my wardrobe as usual,
and, shaking me by the hand, bade me
an affectionate farewell.
"'Good fortune attend you!' she
called after me, while smile illuminat-
ed her features, which involuntarily
called up in my mind remembrances of
by-gone days.
al noticed strange expression of
mischievousness on her old, true face,
(which revived the memory of my boy
hoods years. when, on the eve before
Christmas, my mother enjoyed herself
in anticipating the pleasant surprise
which awaited me on the following day.
But as she did not say anything, |
went away quietly, and | was soon
thinking of nothing else save the part
which | had to perform in the evenings
entertainment. At the theater, I'M full
dress and painted, awaited eagerly
the signal for my appearance.
Shortly before the rising of the
curtain, there was considerable con-
fusion in the house, which for a time
broke in upon my reverie. l inquired
the cause, and learned from a compan-
ion that an accident had happened in
the pit. According to his statement,
an old, half-blind woman, who was
probably visiting the theater for the
first time, while looking for seat, had
fallen over the railings and injured her.
self severely. They had taken her
to her home. but her recovery was very
doubtful. Unconsciously a feeling of
great uneasiness stole over me, and the
thought of my aged mother came into
my mind. Willingly would have
hurried home to relieve my doubts; but
no time was given me for SO doing, as
at this moment the play began. With
difficulty I restrained my increasing
anxiety, and mastered my strong emo
tions. The actor has frequently to sup.
press his true feelings, and, while his
heart is breaking. appear calm, nay,
even smiling. before the audience.
What interest have they in the pains
ond sorrows of their fellow-man, whose
wife perchance lies dying upon hel
lonely couch at home? or in the grie
of mother. who perhaps only shor
, time before has buried her lovely
child?
"Soon. absorbed in the character
sustained, and waiting for the "ord' TIL
! wemory of the unfortunate Old woman
J. --oSen' ---'"u. When | Wen
upon the stage and saw the masoo. !.
people at my feet and above me, tn
dazzling lights that flashed on every
side, wild feeling, bordering on insan
ity, which you have all felt, came owe
me. Everything else disappeared from
| my view. was no longer the actor
but the prince in Lessings Emilia Ga
} lottii-so completely identified with tn
: character that | seemed a stranger t
myself. | played the part with a spiri
! which | have never since equalled, S
entirely was carried away by the ez
| citement of the moment. From seen
| to scene, louder grew the applause an
when the curtain fell, the house shook
3 with the plaudits of the audience, fror
: pit to dome. | was called out, an
e flowers and wreaths showered dow
: upon me from every hand. A wreat
i of laurel. thrown by the hand of beauty
q fell at my feet | caught it up as a
: offering for my mother. The thought G
t her again entered my mind, and l RI
gretted that she had not been present
: witness my first great triumph. A
r unspeakable longing to see her seize
r me; and without taking time to chang
t my dress, the costume of the prince,
| threw cloak over my shoulders an
t hastened homeward. | did not wall
J. but ran, and soon stood before our littI
e door, which | opened with palpitatin
heart. held the wreath in my han
in order to surprise her.
s "She lay upon the bed, and SCENE
to be wrapped in gentle slumber. Thi
y surprised me, as she was always awak
s and awaiting my return from the the;
It ter, to pass few moments in friendl
e converse. In order not to disturb he
y glided softly on tip-toe to her coucl
e and placed the laurel quietly Thereon
It l stopped to kiss her hand before r
It tiring to rest. It's touch was icy an
6 death-like. A terrible thought can
y suddenly to my mind. What if 81
e were that unfortunate woman?
e Determined to know the truth, wit
: trembling hands l took up the nigh
It lamp which stood upon the table, an
r held it toward that beloved face.
J. was covered with blood and pale ;
y death.
d Mother 7 cried, sobbing with al
e guish.
r ..She did not answer-all was still
'Motherl' [ repeated, in a loud'
r. tone. But she was dumb. My ca
IS could not awake her! She was-dead