The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-04-15
INTERESTING STORY.
OUR LEADING LADY.

Well, yes, sir, Pm knowing to bit of
story concerning our leading lady, and as
it's no secret there can be no harm in my
telling it. A lady every inch of her, sir,
every inch, as saw the very first night as
she joined our show"
A thin shaft of light filtered itself through
narrow, dirt-begrimed window, high above
our heads, revealing, after you had become
accustomed to its pale CLEAN, an oblong
room heaped up with a heterogeneous mass
OF theatrical props. Seated on what, by the
uninitiated, would have been taken for an
old sleigh, but in reality was the triumphal
car of Venus, in which she nightly arrived
20 delight the audience of the Royalty Thea.
tire, Blankton, was old Downey, the prop
srty man, artistically engaged in the mend
ing of the much-abused tail of the fiery
dragon to be used in that nights perform
ance.
How came to be occupying the throne
chair of King Killemalive of that same pan.
tomime, and standing treat to pint of hall
and half, my relatives would doubtless in
form you, was owing to q popularity OF
mine of always turning up in the most I'M
thought-of situations. AS no one ever dares
10 question after it has once been given
forth, this explanation concerning myself is
mrely sufficient.
A subtitle difference in Marion Leland,
the Royalty's leading lady, from the actresses
I had heretofore had the pleasure of know.
To ha t1ox
brought from old Downey-stimulated per-
haps, by the beer-the answer at the OPEN
ing of this sketch.
Well, as l was saying, SIR" continued
Downey g." 1 took to her from the fust, and
any little GRAND or favor could manage,
was main pleased to do it. She had SIGH q
,ivil way of thanking one-a deal mere tax.
IN than some folks's shillings, although
money is always welcome"
Here the old fellow paused, and, drawing
back, with one hand shading his still SHARP
eyes, gazed critically at the tinsel patch he
had just finished FASTING over hole in the
dragons side.
"Quite an art, Downey," said, doing
these things nicely"
Well, yes, sir) ones got to be sum'at of
an artist, and it's very tryin' to give 'em
mater when the management is set agin the
cost. But Lor' bless ye, sir, takes it out
in rope We needs sight of rope in our
business especially when the management
Is close-fsted !" and Downey's reddish tuft
of eyebrows jerked themselves spasmodic
ally, as hoarse chuckle issued from some
where beneath his NANCY fur waistcoat.
Then, of his own accord, renewing the SUBJ
ject of the Royalty's leading lady, he OBJ
served:
Miss Leland had been playing with us
aigb upon six months, when she came to
me one night after the performance. Dow
ney, SEES she, have favor to ask of YOU
Anything you can ask, miss, shall be
main pleased to do ses I. Thank you,
Downey, ses she, I believe you would,
but it is only to see me home tonight ]
noticed she seemed bit confused as she
spoke, but it didn't strike me what fur,
until just as we was leaving the stage dooi
see a swell awaiting kinder nonshallantly
So, so, ses I to myself, Is that your little
game but it won't do in this quarter, my
ine friend, and makes believe / didn't
see nothing. She was fur paying me fur
my trouble, but, SEES I, No, miss, I'm proud
of the honor, and if it's agreeable I'll make
bold to see you homo 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 friendly-like, as she ses,
Thank you, Downey; shall be very glad
of your company After that it got to be Z