Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-03-05
A SLIGHT THEATRICAL ERROR.

livery Othrt D@'uiu1y'
-
SLIGHT THEATRICAL ERROR.
Mr.. Rufus Snapper played the juvenile
lead in a theatrical company on the road
which was advertised to bring out only
the very first-class novelties Mr.. Dig
by DssheF played the first stalking gen.
tleman in the same organization. To
say that these gentlemen were Jealous
would be merely to outline their feel
ings to one another. They we're rivals,
both on the stage and of the stage. Mr..
Snapper, who, according to the daily
press, wasa very promising young act
or, he'd perhaps the best of the strug-
| gle before the footlights, When play
ing the impassioned lover in full war
paint, 20 any one sitting a little dis
lance from the stage and without an
opera glass, he passed for a very fair
specimen Of an Adonis. Seen in pri-
yate life the change was great.
! He had red hair, and after many
years theatrical paint and powder, the
general appearance Of his complex
ion was, TO say the least, blotchy. Mr..
Dasher, on the contrary, though on the
stage he was obliged to stand somewhat
in the shade on account of his more
promising" rival, when once away from
the foothghts' glare decidedly took the
lead who was young good looking
Though he knew it,, and was rumored
ito be of very good family, don't you
know"
Whether this was true or not, Mr..
Snapper gave himself great airs on this
account. A certain fair damsel, also
belonging TO the company, who was
known TO the public as Miss Adelina
Montague, in private life known as Miss
Mary Smith, had ensnared the hearts
and fancies of the above mentioned gen.
tlemen.
Both we're assidious in their atten-
tions, tender in their looks and frequent
in their offerings of beer after the
performances; but Dasher alone
was reserved the smiles and
playful coquetries Of the fair Ade-
lima. His beers were accepted with
sunless Snepper's were refused without
thanks. This fact caused gloomy dis
content and thoughts Of revenge to
brood in the soul Of the unlucky Rufus.
OF what avail to him were his the
c.-ical successes and the vigorous plau-
dts Of a delighted public, when the OBJ
ject Of his impassioned alteration con-
tinued todisdain his love and-his beer ?
The action of the comedy in which
they both took part entailed tie giving
Of a letter 70 MI. Dasher in the character
which he assumed. This letter was
usually utilized by the fair Adelina to
give notice to her swain as to the place
where they should meet when the per-
had been obliged to have occurs to
some such secret sScans of communica-
ton. for Snapper was surly, and, like a
dog in the manger, was resolved that If
he could not enjoy the society of Miss
Montague no one else should; and SO,
being powerful with the manager, en-
ployed every means in his power to
prevent the lovers from meeting.
After q while Snapper got an innings.
One Saturday night, only a few mo-
ments before they were ready to ring
up. " Mr.. Dasher, who had laid all his
plans Tor a pleasant day in the country
with his inamorata on the morrow, was
taken suddenly i'll. Snapper stood by
a. he saw him assume his oyercoat and
depart hurriedly homewayd, smiling
grimly. Another gentleman of the
company was hurriedly deputed to fill
Dashers place. As he was going out
to the stage Snapper touched him on
the arm and said: "See here, jaw
kins. 1 want you to give me that letter
that you'll get tonight. There's o
message in il for me, a little matter I've
arranged with Miss Montague-see?
NUNS the word. don't give it away"
Jawkins promised compliance and SCI
crecy, and went his way. In due
course the letter was brought and de-
liyered TO Jawkins, who, in his turn at
the first convenient opportunity.
handed il TO Snapper. As soon
as Mr.. Snapper got off the stage he
opened it eagerly and read it. The
contents we're rs follows: Dearest Dig
gy, Duckey. Ali is prepared. Meet me
tonight after the performance at my
house. Don't fail. Yours as ever,
ADELINA.'
"Diggy, Duckyl" said Snappy scorn-
fully, Ms he tore this precious missive
into little bits. 81 think I'll get evtn
with Miss Adelina and her Diggy, Duck
| XIV. this time"
Snapper turned hastily around, think
ing he had heard q footstep, but saw
no one. Soon after the performance
was over; the lights were turned out,
and Snapper putting on q large cloak
and slouch hat (for these were the kind
OF garments Ia which Dasher usually
appeared sailed forth to I'LL his rivals
place.
Coming to the appointed trysting
place he gazed around somewhat
~anxiously. and seeing no Adelina in
sight, he began to fear that he was too
late or had been sold. Finally, how
ever, a female form emerged from the
house, and coming mp 20 him and put
ting her arm through his, murmured
softly, "Digby, dear, l am so sorry /
was Late
"No matter, dearest" rejoined Snap
per, in tones which he endeavored to
assimilate 3 those in which the fasci-
mating Digby spoke; II would wait for
hours for one glanes ~ those beautiful
eyes. Hem / think I've hit the style
off pretty nicely" he thought. and he
began TO walk the young lady briskly
I of.
mo. so fast, please" murmured the
fair one, Il get out Of breath very east.
~"
Snapper thought ii was rather pecu-
Jar that the sylph like Adelina, who
ass not over bnrdened with fiesh-her