The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-01-23

ing my hand, with smile full Of be
nightly.
"That's moot point, sir, he re-
marks, sententiously. what will you
dop'
take my colossal work homo
again. replied with asperity. THE
manager who produces Il viii have to
pay for the licensing"
Having delivered myself of this crush
ing remark. forthwith packed up the
precious drama, bade the man who re-
fused TO immortalise himself by reading
my precious effusion good morning,
and, staggering under my load, MADE
my way out, followed by deYisive
laughter, as could have sworn.
AZ Leaf got the ear q asIo5
was colossal, Ike my own.
But the Introduction cost many a
SOW; In fact, came to the conclusion
that getting play produced was
deucedly expensive affair
However, 1t was something that for
tune smiled upon me. What mattered
how much l had spent in pursuit OF the
tickle jade now that / had got her In
my grasp.
Once more I chartered e hanson,
and, full of smiles failure never enter
ed my head for moment), was driven
to the managers office, accompanied
by the colossal drama
Take a seat, Mr.. Noggles," said the
great gun, with urbanity, eying me crit
ically-and with approval, as fiatter-
ed myself.
I had read and heard OF many gem
ius having been in appearance latter
donation; but here was ! spic and
span swell, just turned out by Bond
street tailor, faultless as to dress, and
man OF parts, as | flattered myself.
| you have something good, hear"
he remarked, blandly. "a drama in
fifty-two acts.
"Yes! my dear sir, you have been
correctly informed" replied, pleas
antly; something that will make the
fortune Of an enterprising manager.
and smash up all his rivals; with your
permission, will read 1t to You.
"Thanksr' he replied. drily. II have
waded through your Scenario. You
mention real thunderstorm; how is
that to be done, my dear Nogglcsp'
liked his familiar tone; It augured
well, and ! replied lightly:
"Oh, that's easily managed--a slid
ing roof to be uncovered when storm
is raging"
But Il might occur at wrong time;
besides the audience might object to it.
You see, real rain and thunder and
lightning are all very we'll out Of doors,
but not In.
I confess didn't like these obiec-
tons, which savored too much of tho
practical; but, of course, kept my
feelings well under control, merely re-
marking:
my dear, sir, matters of detail need
not trouble great minds like ours. The
thing Is to produce my drama"
Exactly, my dear sir; my sentiments
to q tee"
My hopes began to revive. The bait
had evidently taken, and the name Of
Noggles would descend to posterity,
covered with laurels of fame
"You will produce itP' remarked,
| grasping his hand with fervor.
Eyes! under certain conditions cash
down to the tune of five thousand
pounds, and bills at decent intervals for
| a similar amount; II you agree, I guar
antee to place the thing before the pub
| lie promptly, regardless of expense. ~
'Yesl" Thought, Eat my expense.
Ten thousand pounds Impossiblem
~ will think the matter over said.
LOT course, money is no object with
me, sir.
He smiled graciously, and l took my
leave--a sadder, but wiser man. The
bar at certain famous restaurant saw
me no more; the name of Noggles was
a thing of the extreme past there. In
consequence Of the great noises made
(my landlady somewhat vulgarly styled
them "hawful rows'') received warn
ing, and had to vacate my pleasant
lodgings. How true II is that misfor-
tunes never come alone.
] managed to secure lodgings in a
quiet street. and so ferocious did my
disposition become that at once set to
work to invent an internal machine
that would annihilate whole army at
one blow.
Ny window overlooked wardrobe
establishment just opposite, at the
drawing-room window of which APP
peared lady, daily, of exquisite love
fincss, and riehl y apparellad- ----------------
was short-sighted, owing to the
drama | had written, but, still Ii was
sufficiently good to make out the charm
ing graces OF tho lady in question:.
In the same house as mine was fell
low-lodger, who, morning and evening.
"he Is serenadlng her, thought.
'Noggles, you must enter the lists.
She Is very lovely, has money, no
doubt, and Is evidently smitten with
you. Your rival must be silenced.
was no mean performer on the
double bass. an instrument | had too
long neglected for the perfdious
drama.
One evening produced 1t, and fiatter-
cd myself that the futist was nowhere;
completely drowned his tootling. My
instrument gave forth volume of
sound, at times grooming as II attacked
by very bad collie My base rival
gained the sympathies of our landlady
In some underhand way, and she gave
me warning.
But was equal to the occasion. She |
kept three cats, two dogs. a parrot,
several canaries, besides domestic
fowls. Taking down an old volume.
pretended to read an Act of Parliament |
prohibiting more than one of kind OF |
any bird or beast being kept in any
house In the United Kingdom.
heard no more of having TO leave;
but did Of my rival, who began to
learn the trombone, against whose So
uorous notes my poor double bass
stood no chance.
A diabolical idea occurred TO mel |
would invite him TO visit me, and play |
him trick that would force him to alb |
dictate both the lovely lady opposite and |
the lodgings In my favor.
succeeded beyond my most SAN
guine expectations. as will presently APP
pear.
Procuring q mum Der Of yellow ginger
bread cakes. l placed them on my la
BILE, attaching to them pieces of wire. |
When he appeared I said. ferociously: |
"Ah! Ali You die! The yellow sub
stance before you is dynamite! Swear |
to abdicate everything in my favor
even to the obnoxious trombone |
you are blown to simthereensln
He fed wildly from the spot, and |
laughed gleefully.
But presently an inspector and two
constables came and took nue. off TO the |
station, placing the gingerbread cakes
very gingerly In bag, and despatch
ing them to Woolwich for inspection
Ilanguished in prison whole week,
when I was released, and rushed to my |
lodgings, only TO find that the wardrobe |
shop had been burned down in my abb
sence.
Judge OF my astonishment on learn