Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-04-09
"Our Leading Lady"

swell, yes, sir, said Downey, the
property man, lin knowing to bit
Of story concerning cur leading lady,
and as it's no secret, there can be no
harm in my telling it, l lady every
inch of her, sir every inch,as saw the
very first night as she joined our
show"
"Well, as was saying sir con-
tinued Downey, 81 look to her from
the fust, and any little errand or favor
l could manage main pleased to do
1t. She had sich civil way of thank
ing one-a deal more takin that some
folks shiliings although money is al
ways welcome"
"Miss Leland had been playing with
us nigh upon SIX months, when she
came to me one night after the per-
formance. Downey, ses she, Il have
favor to ask of you. Anything you
can ask, miss, | shall be main pleased
to do,' ses |. Thank, you, Downey,
ses she, 4 believe you would; but it's
only to see me home tonight. | no.
ticed she seemed bit confused as she
spoke, but it didn't strike me what fur,
until Just as we was leaving the stage
door, | see a swell awaiting kinder
nonshallantly. so, so, ses | to my
self. rs that your little game; but it
won't do in this quarter, my fine
friend and l makes believe | did't see
nothing. She was fur paying me fur
my trouble, but ses |, mo, miss, I'm
proud of the honor, and if it's agreeble
I'll make bold to see you home every
night, and if you'll excuse the liberty,
you're deal too handsome to be out
alone" At that she kinder smiles and
colors up, holding out her hand that
frindly-like as she ses: Thank you,
Downey, shall be very glad OF your
company After that it got to be a
regular thing fur me to see her home,
and between me and you, that swell
hated me like pisen"
Here the old property man in
dulged in gurff chuckle, to continue.
"The notes that fellew writ must
have used up the end Of paper, and the
flowers, bless you, there was bowkay
every night; not that she ever looked
at it, or tiched it. After bit this
swell contrived somehow to get the
run behind the scenes, and could see
as he led our leading lady nice life,
pestering her with attentions she
didn't want, but he was that took up
with hisself that he couldn't get any
woman, especially an actress not com
ing to his terms in the end, yet I'm
blessed if don't think he'd have pro-
posed marriage rath' than have lost her;
he was that hard hit. One afternoon
Miss Leland, she comes down TO the
theatre, and brings the little 'un with
her, which she had never done afore. ;
"The little one!" calculated i'll a
puzzled tone.
Eyes, sir, her baby,a bright child
fur its age as ever | see. Lor, sir, a
baby more or less among us profess
lonals doesn't count. We're not given
to being too curious. But, just to re-
lieve your feelings, SIR Il presume
looked somewhat aghast at this laxity
of iudgment), II can say as Miss Le-
land was all as was proper and beau
tiful mother to her baby. The min
ute see the youngster it struck me
whv she'd done it. A kinder as a
check to the swell, don't you see. sir!
/ think as how it did take him aback
fur bit, when he sees her holding OF
the baby"
"Why did she not complain to the
management" her interrupted.
"Lor,' sir, it wouldn't have been any
use. He have thought she was play
ing off, although he isn't a bad sort as
they 20; but you'll not ges manage
to cut up rough with party as a put
ting money in his pocket. You know
\ the little court just outside the stage
door? 1t was after the performance,
and ] had the babby in my arms. II
quite took to me, it did, and so
couldn't resist carry Of 1t bit Of the
way home had little 'un once,sir
which kinder makes me tender hearted
over sich.
Here the old man rubbed the back
Of his hand sort of shamefacedly across
his eyes, as he continued in slightly
husky tones:
s'Wall, just before we reached
the stage door somebody called me
I turned back with the babby to see
what was wanted, but Miss Leland she
KEEP right along. Afterward, when
gets out into the cout, what do see
but the swell talking to Miss Leland
and Just then he makes as if he'd take
hold of her arm. Well, my timpe1
was up in minute, and I was JUS
looking round fur safe place to pu
the babby, when gentleman I'd nevel
seen afore, grabs the swell by thu
arm and filings him one side as if he'c
been one Of them property apples be
= hind yon sir. Miss Leland she turnet
that white, and the swell he pick
himself up as mad as he can and de-
mands to know by what right the
stranger interfered. At that the gen