The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-20
THE DAILY STAR
HOW | BECAME A HERO.

hear, with undefnable awe, his deep
toned summons for the cane, on those oc-
easions when he fancied present physical
suffering the best means of securing my
future moral happiness. And though
the hand that dealt those kindly cruel
blows has long since palsied in the grave,
it needs no strong effort of fancy to re-
call the Damoclean feelings with which
l gazed on that uplifted rod. l had just
come home for my weeks holiday at
Christmas from boarding school. The
tedious, lead-footen days which preceded
that period had been spent by my friend
Ote Irving (son Of neighboring friend
of grandfather's) and myself in prepar-
ing grand dramatic performance, to
take place on the time-honored boards of
our parlor.
In conjunction with some other young
aspirants for dramatic fame residing in
the vicinity, we had pitched On melo-
drama of cOnvenlial bloodthirsty type as
the most eligible way of displaying our
'histrionic talent. Long and anxious con-
sultations had taken place in the dead
of night in our dormitory regarding the
interesting details of our momentous en-
terprise. Stormy and fierce were the de-
bates when opinion was divided as to the
greater desirability of ten cents expend-
iture in green fire for the thrilling
climax, or as to the advantage of that
sum being expended in horse-hair, for
the "crime-stained villains" beard. In
deed, upon one occasion. resort TO
blows seemed imminent, when Ote and l
were each firmly persuaded the others
incapacity to play the chivalric-minded
heir, who after having been killed in the
terrible combat (real swords) Of the
third act, appears as benefcent appar-
ition in the final scene, and blesses
everybody to the plaintive strains of an
ACCORDION. Rehearsals innumeEble were
constantly taking place; and such a
hight did the dramatic furore reach,
that from our extraordinary manner Of
performing the most common acts OF
everyday life, our master grew seriously
alarmed and dubious as to our sanity.
At length came the long-looked-f -for-day,
bringing short respite from scholastic
horrors. To us (who, proud in the con-
sciousness of having real drama in PR
spective, were inclined to treat anything
not strictly theatrical with contempt)
the speeches, songs, and general milk
and-watery nature of the usual enter
tainments at such times seemed stale,
fiat and Improbable.
1t was with heart-beating high in
hope and pride that, the morning
after my arrival home, l walked toward
my grandfather's sanctum, to reveal our
darling cherished project, and to obtain
his sanction and countenance for the
forthcoming arrangements. Hitherto he
had been inclined to treat my pastime as
being vulgar, and now | felt almost dig
nifed at the thought of the joyous sur
prise he would manifest on learning the
ennobling turn my mind has taken. In
few moments my plans were divulged;
and I was hastily pIunging into a chao-
tic mass of details about the alterations
of the parlor to suit SO magnificent an
occasion, when the gruff voice of my
relative speedily put to flight my rose
colored vision: "What! play acting and
all that rubbish-turning the house up
side down--taking the carpet up in the
parlor-only eleven of you. Well, upon
my SOUL Give me my cane"
1t is needless to say l did not hasten
my fate. But, alasl too few moments
passed before my aching shoulders and
aversion to recumbent posture warned
me against dreams of melodrama in my
boyhOod's home.
Moodily, with red eyes, and a general
feeling of blueness, went over to in
form friend Ote of the abrupt extin-
guisher our hopes had received. By him
I was met with every demonstration of
pity, on recounting my martyrdom in
the Thespian cause. Bitterly did we re-
vile with schoolboy vehemence. the pur-
itanical obtuseness with which grand
father refused to see the enlightening
effects of the domestic drama. At length,
however, we concluded wisely that vitu-
peration was of no help to our plans SO
with much cogitation we resolved our
selves into committee Of two, to dis
cuss ways and means. Ultimately, it was
decided that a goodnatured farmer
(whose son was in our school and one of
the players) should be asked to further
our views in the matter of stage.
Comforted somewhat by having a fixed
course resolved upon, but still smarting
under the vigorous infiction of the
morning, ] took my way back to the
house.
The Nest, for such was the quaint
name our residence was known by, was
situated on the rise Of hill, round
which the main road crept. To reach it,
therefore, it was necessary to turn from
the highway into private lane. The
place was very retired; the main reason
of its purchase by my grandfather, worn
out by some half century of city life.
Into this lane, then, had walked, and
was whistling gayly as walked, half my
annoyance of the morning being forgot
ten by exercises in the keen air and my
anticipations of our coming fun, when |
was confronted by two men. The sud
deness of their appearance startled me;
nor did closer inspection Of the gentle
men PROPOSES me more favorably. The
first was great, hulking, beetle-browed
fellow, ON whose receding forehead
'scrime" was legibly imprinted. His