The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-12-26
THE NEIGHBOURS BARN"
ny HENRY IRVING.

Englsh actor Is irom the oTee" hooW h"-
nAai:
At The present time, which the progress
of realism Is marking an epoch in stage
management, little special attention may
not inopportunely be given to the humanita-
rian branch of stage realism-that of food.
The old days of pasteboard pie and wooden
chickens are gone from good theatres--let us
hope, forever. The real Z" veal and ham'er y
in the interesting. reproduction of "Dot"
at the Folly was quite success, and brought
the dinner hour instincts of all present to
the aid of histrionic effect. Twas much struck
not long since by the thoughtful consideration
manifested by charming young lady in
s4oeassful opera bouffe, who took care that the
vast amount of real bread, which she had cut
90 gracefully, was ultimately distributed to
that portion Of the French army in the rear,
who seemed to have besn hitherto inade-
quately supplied with rations, aud TO whom
the nightly addition to their present emolu-
ment may have been of some little service.
When, a year ago, we produced at the
Lyesun, as first piece, the old Scotch drama
of " Cramopd Brig the various members
of the company playing in the piece had
full choice of whsrswithal to wash down
their heed and herrigles" tof which, by
the way, over q hundred were consumed
during the run,) and the miller's supper
bscame nightly jolity, except, perhaps, to
the Scotch nobility and the kings huntsmen,
who, with watery mouths and eager
eyes, crowded the wings, forbidden by the
irony of dramatic fate TO enter upon the scene
until the supper had been cleared sway.
This piece reminded me Of an incident
which came under my notice a good many
years ego, In the off season of large pro-
vincial theatre, in which I was stock actor, |
took an engagement at small town, then
known as one of the most thriving seaports of
| the North. The salary was little the parts
were long, and there was not much oppor-
tunity for gaining renown. However, 1t was
better than remaining idle, as at the
worst, tue amount Of debt to be accumulated
was minimized. The manager was not a
| bad fellow, and having been good actor in
his time, was only too glad to ba surrounded
by class of actors whose service he could
only obtain by the opportunity afforded by
the bright summer-in those palmy days the
comedian or the thoroughly legitimate
tragedisn, Our opening bill consisted of
"Cramond Brig" "L9rd parnley," oval
lace, the Hero of Scotland" and "Gilderoy
the Bonnie Boy" In all Of Which I played,
besides contributing my share in the Ma
| tional Anthem. which was right loyalty and
loudly sung by the entire strength of the
company. After the rehearsal of I" Cramond
Brig" our jolly manager said: Now, boys
shall stand real supper tonight; nj
pasteboard and parsley, but real Sleeps
head and little drop Of real Scotch"
tumult of applause.
The manager was as good as his wesd, fql
at night there was real head, vel
equipped with turnips and carrots, and the
"drop of real Scotch" The neighbor's
BARN." an important character in the scene
came IN and took her seat as usual beside
the miller's chair. She vas q pretty, sad
eyed, intelligent child OF some nine year.
old. In the course Of the meal, when Joel
Howison was freely passing the whisky, sh,
leaned over To him and said, "Pleass, viii
you give me littlsf' He looked surprised
She was so earnest In her request that
wbjspared to her, " Tomorrow, perhaps, /
YOU want y very much, you shall have
thimblsful."
Tomorrow night came, apd, 10 ~y smuss
msnt, she produced from the pocket Of bel
little plaid frook bright piece of brass, ant
held q ont e ~s; ! said, "Wbst's this y
"But what am to do with itf''
lyon said that you would give me
thimbleful Of whisky II I wanted i, and d
want ~ ~
This sss said so naturally that the audi
snos laughed ss@ spplsudsd. looked owe
to the miller and iopRd him with the but
end Of his knife and fork on the table, snt
his eyes wide open, gazing at ps tp AstoNish
ment. However, We were both experience,
enough 70 pass Of this unrshsarsed effect a
part Of the piece, ] Oiled the thimble an
the child took IL hack cAfsfplly to her littl
+" creepy " stool beside the miller. wstohs
her, and presently saw her turn her back t
| Az mi 4 fnfn n Il Ill
penny tin snuff box. She covered the boz
With . bit Of paper and screwed on the lid
thus making the box pretty water-tight, an
put It into hsr pocket.
Whom the curtain fsll our manager cam
forward and patted the cbild's bead. I" Why
my little girl" said he, "yop grp apite
genius. Your gag Is the best thing in III
piece. We must have II in every nigh
hut, my child, you muslin drink the whisky
No, not that would never do"
0Oh, sir, indeed won't; ! give You m
word ! WON'T" shs said, quite earnestly
and ran to her dressing room.
"Cramoud Brig" had an pnprsfedente
run Of six nights, and the little lady Away
got her thimbleful of whisky and her roun
Of applause. And each time ! noticed ths
she coyksd up the formor safely in the snu
box. ] was curious as to what she coul
possibly want with the spirit, and who sh
was, and where she came from. asked he
but she seemed SO unwilling to tell, On
turned so red that did not press her, but
found out that it was the old story-u
mother and drunken father.
Still, II was strange; what could she war
with the whisky-a child like her II coul
not be for the druken father. was con
pletely at fault. took fancy 10 the littl
thing, and wished TO fathom her secret, for
secret felt sure there was. After the Pc
Torrance l saw my little body come on
Poor little child there was no moths
! or brother to see her to her homs. 81
hurried up the street, and turning into III
poorest quarter Of the town, entered the con
mon stair of tumble-down old house. l 70
lowed, feeling my way a. test conld. 81
went up and up. till In the very Top fat q
| a.Aa-ad N HtAla ronrn A handful Of al