Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-09-26
NV theatrical tastes had nsver AZ yet

led me to take q part in any perform
ance, and, indeed. of the ladies and
men forming the present company,
Ada Dart and O'Brian were the only
two who were not about to make their
first appearance upon any stage. Of
course, these experienced members
took a prominent lead, besides being
necessarily drawn together in a con
fidental way which it was very un-
pleasant for me to witness. Jealousy
and envy so stirred my bile that was
inclined to regret the good old days of
duelling, when might have picked a
quarrel with my rival, and so had
chance of removing him from my path.
But the way in which the odious
lrishman knocked over pheasants and
rabbits, and "a particular snapshot,
fired from the hip, which was fatal TO
a woodcock, forced me to own that
there was deep truth in the ingen-
ious assertion SO constantly repeated
in newspaper articles. that private
combat is "cowardly practice"
The fine old hall of Winton park
was to be our theater, and il was my
particular province to take the best
advantage of the many natural facili-
ties Of the place; to arrange about the
scenery; TO find out what were the
proper dresses for the plays We were
TO perform, etc. and Ada Dart, being
the only person whose counsel was of
real service in case of difficulty, |
was perpetually obliged to appeal TO
her. Dangerously intoxicating were
those conferences, which, confess,
prolonged necdlessly; indeed, used
sometimes to get up a veXatious oppo-
sition to her wishes in order 10 give
our discussion a matrimonial flavor.
IIeigh-ho,
The plays selected were The Belle
of Penzance," followed by the farce
Of Eyes and Nose" and the distrbu-
tion Of parts was a work for job and
Solomon, most Of the company at first
declaring their utter inability to take
the simplest characters, and coming
round gradually to demanding the
principal roles At our first general
meeting il really seemed doubtful
whether it would be possible TO cast
the mildest and lightest Of pieces,
but at the end of fortnight if
"Othello" could have been rewritten
with three Moors. four Dcsdcmonas
and two lagos. our little company had
stomach for them all.
was cast for Fortescue, which was
too prominent part for my taste; for
beside that, on principle, very much
prefer that other people should amuse
me to reversing that proceeding;
hated having 80 much to learn by
heart.
In a little time matters began to
run smoothly and we had our first re-
hearsal. BY recalling 20 mind the diff
fcrent actors I had seen in my part.
and cndcavoring 30 imitat" them.
succeeded better than hal au,icpa-
ted. and gained considerable applause.
But" said O'Brian. you must shave,
You know. Tn" idea OF Fortcscuc
with those whiskcrS is too absurd"
Now, my whiskcrs were black. pen
dant, silky, and hal cost me an iudnity
of trouble II had taken five years Of
constant care and scientific training to
bring them To their present state OF
perfection. Any one without expert
encc in the matter would scarcely
credit the amount of tim" and labor.
not TO mention the mere money. that
| had expended upon them. Little soft
brushes, delicate combs, bottles uf a
| peculiar oil, more delicate than is ever
I used for the head, were appropriated
TO their service. When visited my
hair-cuttcr that artist would delher-
ate for at least five minutes before he
could come to definite conclusion
upon the important point whether he
should take the "hends" off. When
took my walks abroad and the breeze
huttered them over my shoulders,
scornful indeed was the beauty whose
eyes did not light up with admiration
as she passed. Even enyious men were
unable to withhold their tribute Of
praise.
"Cheevers, my boy" observed Riv-
ers, who has spent his own fortune
and is looking out for wife. my
figure is twenty thousand, but, by gad.
II had your face hair, I'd make it
fortyr'