Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-08
THE STAGE WATTS


J rio art | have no great fancy for
Four gin, bat will drink the toast in
The liqnor OF yJnr country - h was Du |
his legs at this time, aud boweu FORWARD, |
left ami right before be drslk, SO "a to |
include all the company under his eonde-
scending compliance in pledging the art
to which he belonged in a product OF
Eugland.
"Hear, hear, hear - cried several
voices cheertully, Tne Frencbman
smptied his glass, and sat down with
look of profound satisfaction
They were all men preseut-a dozen
and they sill appeared in the very best
humor and spirits. They were seated in
dining-room OF James Walford, protes.
sional singer, and the occasion OF the
m setting was to commemorate Waiford's
signature to an agreement with the lessee
of the Cremons Theatre. few days ago
the document had bsen duly completed ;
Walford was to have $40 week, the
largest salary hs had yet reached, aud
was TO create the leading tenor part ia q
nav comic opera. To bs sure, the
Cremons was not first class theatre, but
Wslford was glad TO get leading part
anywhere, and $50 week was a great
advance upon go, which he had been
formerly earning in subordinate part.
Walford himself was hardly as glad as
mis- friends, tor he was the best-natured,
best-tempered, kindest-hsarted tenor that
ever lived, and all his friends wished
him well. There were other reasons also
which made those who liked him glad OF
his success. A few months ago be had
lost young wife, to whom he was de-
votedly attached, and he was left a
widowsr with an only child, boy of 4
years old, Not that his wife was gone,
this boy was the very apple of his eye
He took the child with him wheIesoever
he might, and when he came home,
whether it was early or late, his first act
was to visit the boy. Those who knew
him best said it was we'll he had the
child to centre his affections on, for other
wise they feared his reason might give
away. .l-s.-
He was one OF those who wear their
hearts upon their sleeves. He was made
of stubborn stuff. But then all knew
that when he married his late wife be
had given her the love of his whole
nature, and that the very quietness of
his manner, upon her death, meant a
stubborn nature terribly controlled. To
one or two Of his most intimate friends
he had said confdentially that il any
thing happened to his boy he should not
care TO live.
One Of the plessantest things in con-
neotion with the present social meeting
was that NJ. Grattin had come, and shown
himself most cordial and agreeable.
Everyone regarded this IS exceedingly
good on his part, for it was known to all
that the choice of tenor for the Cremona
Theatre lay between him and Walford.
Thus he had come, as it were, to signalize
the triumph Of his rival over himself.
NJ. Grattln was man OF medium
height, black-hsired, sallow, with dark
brown eyes, slightly aquiline nose, and
good figure. He was strikingly hand
some man. His manners were refined
and gentlemanlike, and the only obiee
ton Englishmen found to him was, thai
he seemed TO be anxious to show elaborate
kindness in small things at the expense
OF sincerity in greater. Thus it happened
that although the men present in Albany
Lodge, Csnonbury, that night greeted
his arrival enthusiastically, and told hin
he was good fellow for coming next morn
lhky nhC4 hhcJ uultLlN
over the matter, they agreed it was only
what was to be expected from so politt
and courteous man.
1t was but natural that, under the cir
oumstances OF the death of Waliord'
wife, his curly-headed little boy Fredd,
should be made much of by the Bohemian
friends OF his father. For tims no on
came to the house without bringing hin
some little toy or sweetstutf5; and if th
boy had not very good disposition an
8 gay and airy manner, winch made hiu
take the gifts with the laughter Of de
light rather than the gravity Of greed, h
would have run fair chance Of benz
hopelessly spoiled
Albany Lodge was much more modes
house than one might suppose from til
name Tor, taking the the times he ha
engagements with the times he had no
Wslford could not hitherto count o
earning much more than e300 yea
During his wite's time she had 8 eeneri
servant for the house, while she hefse
looked after the boy. But upon Il
death OF his wife Waltord, having 1
woman relative who could take her plaU
dismissed the general servant and hultt
up his old nurse, Martha Grace.
She was now at least so years Of as
and Of course nothing like a. active
she had once been. Bat he knew ]
could rely on her to do justice to his DO,
and that was the great consideration
his heart then. When abe came to sta
with him, he said to her with all Il
earnestnes9 he was capable Of
Martha, l am not particular abot
the house, | shall not want you to
much for myself II you will last ke,
the little place tidy, and get 10 som
thing simple to eat and drink when
want 1t, shall BE- quite content. But
am particular about the boy. You mt
not let him get into harm of any kin
He ia all now have in the world, and
any great harm came to him shou
break my heart"
The old woman promised, aud kept h
promise faithfully during the time )
had been with him.
At last the great night was al han
Maltord was full of spirits and oonfdeut
The rshearsals had beeu most satisil
tory. Everyone connected with I
theatre had complimented him upon
singing and acting in the part, and {
whole company was in the very best
humor, for the belief was general ii
the opera would run hundred nigh
at least.
1t was drsary cold, damp, dishsart,
ing evening when Waltord prepared
leave his home for the theatre. So
months ago when his wife died, he h
had an engagement, but it was now t
months since his latest appearance
public.