The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-10

Hympsthize with the sorrows Of f" Pauline,
; and there was no Claude Melnotte" &c
support her!
: Mr.. sharpleigh Beck was at his wits
end, and, as he stood upon the stage sur.
rounded by his company, looked the very
picture OF helpless despair. Whist was 10
be done? To close the theater and dlsap-
point the public would be ruin. paul
Inc" could not possibly appear without
Claude" and he did not dare deceive
them by substituting another piece with
his ordinary stock company. For once
his fertile imagination failed 10 assist him,
and he was, to use his own words, Tin q
terrible hole, and no mistake"
"I'll play Claude il you like, MIR.
1t was quiet voice which spoke close
at his elbow that made the manager turn
quickly on his heel.
"Eh, what? why, bless my soul, who's
that? What, you-you, Cameron, a util-
ity man, attempt Claude Melnotte2' Abb
surd-nonscense you couldn't do i'll"
But, alter few minutes conversation
and explanation, the utility man" sue
ceeded in convincing Mr.. Beck that he
could do 1t. He was perfect in the words,
aud with half hours rehearsal with the
''star" he might possibly be coached in
the "buIiness;" 30 the lady was abruptly
summoned from the dressing room and
informed OF the change in the cast.
At first she flew into violent passion,
refused to act at all, considered it an un-
warrantable insult on Mr.. Becks part
even to dream Of her playing Pauline"
to utility" mans Claude" threatened
to return to her hotel, pack up her trunks
and depart by the next train for London,
and eyed Archie Cameron up and down
with whitening glance OF scorn and con-
tempt. But, the playgoers OF the last
town having not appreciated the abilities
Of Miss COnstantia Leroy as highly as she
anticipated, and her pockets thus not be-
ing 60 well filled as they ought 10 have
been, she was ultimately induced 10 see
things in different light.
Awiully nervous the poor fellow was
when, arrayed in his peasants blouse,
with gun in hand, he rushed on for his
first entrance aud saw the packed audi
ence in front Of him, aud still more 80
when he stalked on in his princes cos.
tune with the great London 'star" who
snubbed him SO numerically at the |
wings. Before the act was half over, |
however, Archie forgot himself, his pow.
eFty and his troubles, Gad became for the |
time being the enthusiastic lover the play.
wright had created. He forgot the painted,
powdered representative beside him, with
all her miserable little pomps and yani.
ties, and saw only the poets creation,
Pauline" the worshiped idol OF the |
peasants dream, delivering bis speeches
with such teryor and making love so nat.
urally that, when the act drop descended
aud the star" took her call before iton
one side of the stage, Archie was sum.
moned forth to receive the enthusiastic
applause of the audience on the other.
his next act was even msre fayorably
received, and when he made his appear.
ance on his return from the battlefield,
looking supremacy handsome in his mill.
tary garb, mis- reception was 20 warm that
even the ''star" condeseended to unbend
and went go far as to admit that be was
mot so bad"
When the curtain finally descended
that night and two or three representa-.
tiyes OF the press and some of the princi.
pal inhsbltsRts came behind the scenes
and congratulated him upon his success,
Archie Cameron was so intoxicated and |
bewiidered that he declared he scarcely
knew whether he stood OF his head or on |
his heels.
ITO think l have waited all these wears
Tor this, he muttered as he buttoned his |
seedy paletot oyer his chest and made his
way home to his miserable attic. "Rnd il |
has come at last. l knew I would make
success some day and, by Joye, now I've
done 1t" And when he laid his head |
upon his pillow that night he slept with |
his mind fgll of glorious visions Of the
future.
There was an early rehearsal called the |
next morning 10 perfect Archie in the |
minor details Of the piece, which, owing
10 its great success, was to be repeated |
that night, and puuctually at the hour di. |
rected, the grimy old landlady clambered |
up the dilapld9ted staircase to arouse him |
from his slumbers. IN vain her bony
knuck les raped upon the door Of his
chamber; there was no response. She
knocked and kncGked again with the
same result. At length, thinking hsr
ledger had been oVer-tatiSued by his ex.
ertions OF the previous night, she gave her
task up in despair, and resolved to let him
enjoy an extra hali-hour's sIumber.
For Heaven knows" the good dame |
muttered as she descended, the poor Eel. |
10y needs it sorely."
So the morning were en-, until the time
arrived when Archie was due at the the.
atre; the company, manager and star
were all assembled on the dirty little |
stage, but still he came not. At length the |
manager gFeE uneasy at his sbsence, and
Miss Copstantia Leroy angry.
~ am not in the habit Of visiting such |
places TO be kept waiting for q parcel OF |
utility people" she remarked. "Perhaps
the young man is i'll /; you had better send |
messenger and ascertain"
80 . messenger started, in the person |
Of Jack boveli,S sturdy young fellow OF
some six.anG-;wenty years, Who was |
grateful friend to Archie by reason OF the |
many hints the latter had given him on |
his en- range into the profession three
years before.
Jack passed the landlady Of Archie's |
lodging without 3 word. Ascending the |
staircase, he knocked loudly at the door
Of the attic; then, receiving no reply, he
knocked still louder.
"Dear heart alive" exclaimed the
woman below, as she heard the sound Of
Jacks manly fist upon the panels OF the
door, "heT sound!y that lad do slsep
He must be mortal tired,il
Then, still receiving no response, Jack |
TUNED the handle OF the door, and, find |
ing it locked, with one kick Of his foot sent |
it craRhing forward and burst into the
room.
Archie Cameron did sleep soundly, for
it was the sleep that knew no awakening |
in this world. The rays Of the bright |
morning sun were streaming brilliantly
through the dirty little skylight which |
was the only window the room boosted.
and leIl stE4ighE ppsl the worn, weary,
stricken face, now calm, peaceful, dead.
For be had passed away in his sleep in
the very hour Of his success.
Th. cf...V - ..,..- ~.