Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-28


YOUNG FoRTEscUE AND THE MANAGER.
Adolphus Fortescue sat in one of the snug re-
treats of one of his fathers snuggest rooms
in snugly-built house on Olive street lazily
perusing the advertising columns of the lat
est Globe-Democrat and pondering over
things theatrical. Adolphus was an ex-
secretary of the Mccullough club, leading
light in the management of things pertain
ing to the ''sock and buskin" and his am
bilious fancy SCARED away high into the
realms of managerial glory.
IT'S true he was but on the verge of man.
hood and that the feathery down upon his
upper lip had hardly yet asserted itself suf-
fciently to be called moustache, but the
glamor of the footlghts had throwna spell
around his budding soul and his aspirations
were to be manager and shine resplendent
In diamonds and plug hat. These were
the aspirations which agitated the manly
mind of Adolphus as he sat in the aforesaid
snug retreat and conIed the paper.
"Ah, ha! By my halidom," Adolphus
ejaculated-for be it remembered Adolphus
was student of the olden schOolT'the
very thingv' and once more he eagerly read
the following advertisement in the want
columns.
wANTED-Young man to travel in advance
OF q first class comedy company now prepar-
ing TO take the road Must be able to give
security. Address Manager, st. James Hotel.
With great care for the correctness of his
Spenceran hand and the unimpeachable
.ogl IL, Inl
missive of application for tb responsible
SIT, quoted the social and financial standing
Of his papa, and waited with sleep-destroy
ing anxiety for an answer.
At last It came. With trembling hand
Adolphus tore open the business-like docu-
ment, which bore upon its face legend to
the effect that it was from the Ethel Sum-
mers Comedy company, and read as fol-
lows:
Of applications for advance, but am very par
ticular about the people i employ, Your
fathers standing leads me to regard you IA
vorably. Call ut my hotel this evening, when
we will discuss the matter and will introduce
you to our star. Yours,
GILLIAN EDsoN
A flush of anticipation Lit up the hazel op-
tics of Adolphus and Redeemed the resting
place of his budding sideburns. He at once
began making preparations to create an inn
preston, and when the guests Of the st.
James were sitting around after supper ex-
cavating their favorite molars they were
staggered by his entrance.
"Mr. Edson?" said the clerk, why, yes.
Let me see, room 327," and, sending up his
pasteboard, the aspirant for theatrical fame
was soon taken aback by the stepping from
the elevator of swarthy-looking man in a
dingy black suit which:hung in folds upon
the lean frame of its wearer, and who intro
duced himself with particular hearty shake
of the hand as the managerial Edison afOre-
said. But he was not the manager of Adolf
phus' dreams. It's true he wore a silk hat,
but the wide band around it seemed to be
placed there in token of mourning for its de-
parted brightness. The diamonds were
probably in the hands of a friendly uncle.
while the rundown paperish-loOking col.
lar, hand-tied narrow black cravat, shirt
front and cuffs were all minus their pristine
freshness.
"This way, Mr.. Fortescue, we'll talk the
matter over in my room. You'll excuse its
being near the roof; but you see, the house
was full, and, as I'm in the habit of stop
ping here, why consented to take S27 tenn
porarily. The parlor floor, though, is what
am invariably accustomed to-" and with Q
string of similar talk, much politeness and
many smirking smiles the manager usheIeC
the spick-and-span Adolphus into room il
which sat very little woman with yer.
large eyes industriously studying a roll O
manuscripts
"Mr. Fortescue, this is Miss Summers
our star" said Mr.. Edison with graceful
wave of his mOurnful plug toward the lad!
with the large eyes, whereupon the latte
arose, bowed to the bashful AdOlphus ant
ann oA his hand f..ndarlx, fhaf II
the midst of his embarrassment he had |
half-deined idea that his makeup had i'm
pressed. -..
"And she's lady who is bound to max,
her mark" continued MIR. E. Listen T.
what the Boston Globe says of her:
Miss Summers appeared here last night a
Fanchon, the Cricket. To say she is superl
Is saying too little. We have seen Magg
Mitchell in this part years ago when she wa
young and fresh, but Miss Summers inter
pretarion is infinitely finer. An Omnibus
was necessary at the conclusion OF the per
Torrance to transport the Doquets and flora
tributes to the hotel. This may seem q sum
mer story to some, but 1t is as true as Mis-
3. is genuine.
az could read you criticisms of that kin,
can read at your leisure. So,, now to busi
ness: of course, you've had experience,
continued the manager to Adolphus, wei
Knowing all the while he hadn't 1..-.z
What, mol I'm sorry, because we-but
could not think of placing the advance bus
ness in the hands of an inexperienced ma
that Is, except on one condition"
And what is that condidon?' faltere
Adolphus, who saw his opportunity slippin
away from him.
"Why, that you take stock in the compan
IS security for your faithful performance O
the duties" -r. --
A ray of hope shot athwart the theatrics
sky in Adolphus' immediate vicinity. He
had few hundred dollars, why not becom
smanager at once?
"Its Just this way" continued manage
Edison, speculatively, as he laid off the line
OF var upon tablet with pencil while tn
little star with the large eyes looked on il
terestedly, ever and anon bestowiug tel
ger look upon the listening Adolphus; III
ust this way: I've got let me sec, abol