Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-09

thought ne mao disclosed Tie place vi
my retreat to Binks. AS the waiter
concluded, my determination was tax
en-. Ny natural love of fun and ad-
venture, combined with the instinct
Of self preservation. decided nae to use
the honors thus suddenly thrust upon
me. made no reference to the wait
er's story, treating it as to absurd for
discussion.
II want to send note round to the
lessee of the Theatre Royal"
Certainly, sir. The booth can take
it,"
la few minutes / had scrubbed the
following:
Dear Simpson-to quote the dukes
motto-I am here. Will you call
rehearsal of used Up" for to morrow
at liz Yours faithfully, c. j. Matt
thews."
This characteristic note was prompt
ly dispatched, and / waited IN serenity
and with a keen sense of approaching
ing enjoy ment the result.
In half an hour the answer came.
"Dear Mr.. Matthews, | am agreeab
ly surprised by your early arrival, as
| did not expect you till the morning
of Thursday (the day of the perfors
nance. l suppose the papers are in
error in advertising you in Plymouth
to day, Tuesday shall be very pleas
ed to make your acquaintance. Yours
sincerely, 7. Thompson.
Nothing could be more fortunate.
Mr.. Simpson had never seen the great
comedian; and [ was safe till Thurs
day. The reader may inquire: Why
did | not make my escape from Sea-
mouth while | had the opportunity?
| can only reply that my love of adj
venture was responsible for my con"
duct. / should infict no harm on
any one; indeed, | was comforting an
actual benefit on the company of the
Theatre Royal by affording them the
great advantage of an extra rehearsal.
And the actor himself would find his
task on Thursday considerably
smoother, as all my business" was
precisely the same as he would adopt.
Punctual to the hour appointed |
made my appearance at the stage door
a. II o'clock on the following morn>
ing.
Coed morning, Mr. Matthew'S"
exclaimed a little, shabblly dressed
man who was standing with his back
10 the fireplace, in conversation with
the Cerberus who guarded the sacred
portal CT the drama.
Good morning, Mr.. Simpson.
Where is the comPany2"
''Tney are all on the stage, Mr..
Matthews. | have got pretty Mary
for you, and capital blacksmith.
/ followed Mr.. Simpson along
dimly lighted passage to the stage
AS we threaded the gloomy labyrinth
my conductor whipered to me:
You are satisfied with the terms l
otfered2"
Perfectly" l answered Nothing
could have been more liberal" GLOW
| wondered what they wereD
"1es, | think that arrangement is
the fairest for both parties" said the
manager.
l found a group of seedy looking
individuals on the stage, who were
severally introduced to me- The i'm
personator of Mary Wurzel was a
pretty looking girl, but very pale and
emaciated, while the representative of
the blacksmith WAS a dlminutive but
sturdy little man.
Halo! this won't do. Ironbrace
should be big man, or where is the
alarming contrast between Sir Charles
in the deadly atfray which takes
place9"
The manager Shrugged his broad
shoulders. 1--WE can't get another
now"
While they arranged the first scene
l glazed around the theatre 1t was
a bandbox of a nouse, and l should
not have hcsitaled to play the piece in
my own proper person, had necessity
compelled it. Rut when Thursday
came l must be miles away! Here, l
suddenly remembered that the indi-
vldual was perSonatiug was renown-
ed for his vivacity and stores of anec>
dote. So drew on my memory, an
uncommonly reteutlve one, and pour.
ed forth stream OF witticisms, which
seemed to meet the circumstances of
the case, Tor the company laughed
immoderately, until at last the mans
ager suggested a commencement Of the
rehearsal.
eve have heard Of your wonderful
conversational powers, Mr.. Matthews
and report has not exaggerated them,
but suppose We"
Exactly, Mr.. Simpson; business
first and pleasure afterward"
| at once addressed myself to the
business of the scenes, and really
worked very hard in putting the COM
psny through their facings. II would
not interest the general reader to men
ton in detail the very natural short,
comings of a scratch country company
of strolling players. But l found
them very docn and extremely anx
ioas to follow my directios implicitly.
Small as were my available resources
l expended half sovereign in refresh
ment, and their countenances express.
e5 their gratitude even more than their
words. There was another piece down
for rehearsal, Married for Money"
but was totally unacquaipted with
the piece, so | suggested it should be
postponed till tomorrow. Toward
the conclusion of the rehearsal
observed Mr.. Simpson examining my
features with great earnestneSs.
You wear uncommonly we'll, Mr..
Matthews; was told you were about
forty, but you don't look more than
fiyeSand- twenty"
"All habit, my dear, sir, I never
encourage the idea of age. l follow
the advice of Bulwer Lytton. Decide
upon the age at which you choose TO
remain and refuse to become any older
I have selected five andtwenty. Per
ennial Jove, you know, and all that
sort of thing"
Ny auditor was convinced. I con-
tinued:
Besides youth is my stock in trade,
How could play the youthful Jem>
my Jessamys if looked nay full agei
My logic was nnanswerable.
Ere we parted Mr.. Simpson shook
my hand heartily.
IA check on Friday morning, as
soon as we have verified the receipts.
suppose that will do, Mr.. Matthewsfn
Perfectly" l replied, cordially re-
turning the pressure.
/ was walking leisurely toward my
hotel when I beheld a sight which al
most turned my blood to water. Strid-
ing along in his usual brisk and jaunty
fashion was the great comedian him