The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-02-25

/ assiduons in his attentions. / must say d
Wilson, that while he was ever ostcnsibly
eager to be of service TO me, yet there was q
something In his constant smile and obseqni
GUS serviliiy that was most repulsive. and In
spred me, ~ well IS the rest OF the company
with a hearty dislike He was by no means
favor,e, although his abilities as an actor were
unQuestioncd
As the weeks flew on, my homage was re
ceived by Florence IN the most gracious man
ncr. She permitted he to escort her from the
theatre aud visit her at her home, and at las
had the extreme felicity to receive from hei
sweet lips the first kiss of love. | then esteem
ed my self the nappieSt of men, received tht
congratulations OF my colleagues, and awaited
the contamination OF my happiness, when We
shOuld be forever united with the blessings OF
the Church.
"Ah! as | look back upon those happy
happy days, what words, what language, can
express the breadth and depth and heigh, OF
the love bore her. A doubt as to her purity
or disbelief IN her perfect innocence, would
have seemed crime to me; while my iaith IN
her sincerity was IA immovable as II belief IN
my own existence.
Finally Florence fixed our wedding 10 occur
shortly after the Christmas HOLIDAYS, and cX'
perienced the happy pleasure Of fitting out "A
home for her and myself. Every char, every
table that bought, gave me "a childish pleas
ure, and with eager anticipation looked Tor
ward to the dav when should lead my bride
INTO our common home
an spite OF these many pleasurable duties,
however, did not neglect my art, but rather
applied myself to il with greater assiduity
Daily | surprised the public and my good
friend, the manager, with my marked pro
gress TO my darling Florence owed It all,
for her smiles and love inspired me with an
enthusiasm and an animation which | had
never hitherto experienced.
The Christmas holidays were fast approach.
ing, and our en'crprsing manager determined
To make them memorable In the annals OF our
theatre with grand Shakespearcan revival.
The play selected was Othello, and the most
elaborate aud expensive preparations were
made TO present this chef d'9upre of the master
with t0ut ensemble thai had never been sur
passed. A leading star, one of the brightest
of the dramatic lumlnarles, was especially
engaged to play OthellO, Florence was cast for
DesdemOna, Wilson rs lago, and rs Cassie
Ii WAS IN event to which the public looked
forward not less eagerly than did the protes-
sion.
But ala.
'rhc best laid plans of mice and men
Gang aft a.glry.'
sour leading gentleman was suddenly
stricken down by serious malady, and as his
very recovery was despaired'cf, our manager
WAS placed IN Il truly awkward dilemma.
Vainly he telegraphed 10 all the leading dra-
matte agencies u secure another star, and
made every tyer,iOn to that end in his power.
With the season at its height, he naturally
found 1t impossible to secure the services OF
an actor capabt OF assuming a. trying u role
rs that OF Othello: and so, rs a last resort,
jlsnu WAS cast M the valiant Moor | SUI
perseded hun in the part Of lago, and new
actor, recommended Ivy Florence with whom
she had played in II former engagement, was
secured To play Cassie
II confess that my curiosity was painfully
aroused when | heard that the new man had
been recommended by Florence and was not
re assured in my Jealous suspicious when at
the next rehearsal very handsome young
man was introduced to me rs my successor In
the part of Cassie.
What made ne feel more i'll at ease, was
the evident intimacy that subsisted between
Florence and Ernest EIlho,-fOr that was the
name OF the new comrr-an intimacy that was
IN lniftst IN their repeated interviews. once
or twice | endeavored to speak to Florence
about HIM; but on every such occasion she
invariably showed her dislike of the topic, by
lapsing into silence or quickly changing the
subecl of the conversation. All this aroused
nv interest to a painful degree; but manag
ed to silence nv doubts by the tact that my
marriage was but few weeks distant and
that there WAS no perceptible diminultion In
her affection.
"'i'he recast Of the characters gave little sat
lsiacton. | was utterly untitled tor the part
of Iago; while Wilson, accustomed as he was
to play the VILLAIN parts, made the noble and
chivalrous hero of the poets imagination q
brutal and feroclOus barbarian.
accordingly one day, after several rehears
ais had been had, our manager SAID:
This will never DO If we play Othellc
in this manner, our much advertised revival
will be Kissed and laughed at by the public
can see but one resort; and if that IS not
more satisfactory we will have to abandon oui
Shakespearean revival and fall back upon
some light comedy in our plethoric repertoire
1t is this. You, Wilson, shall resume your old
pat of Iago, IN which you are excellent; and
you, burning to me, while my heart wildly
beat you shall essay Othello.'"
"a heavy frown at these words passed over
Wilson's iace-a frown, however, which was
quickly dissIpated by understanding
which, and bowling, he said
al shall be delighted to be superseded in
the part of OthellO'
Il WAS so Ill-tltted to the role Of Iago, that
any change was welcome to me. determined
To use every exertion IN my power to avail
myself of this opportunity OF rising from my
inferior position. Night and day, therefore
| studied the part in the short time that inter
vened and finally had the pleasure of know
ing that. although the cast was yet far from
satisfactory, it was decidsd Improvement or
the former.
Finally the night arrived on which VIZ
were to open. A great audience filled tH ~
utmost capacity our large auditorium, and, Ia
the curtain rose upon the end of brilllan
overture, loudly applauded the lberality o
our manager "a evidenced in the elaborate
setting OF the first scene.
"And what were my feelings, rs | stood II
the wings, on that eventful night ready Il
make my appearances felt that this nigh
was To lie the decisive one of nv career: tina