The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-15
AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

1t was a very hot day in the month
Of July, 1868. Five o clock had sound
ed, and the performance in the Italian
Theatre in Paris was about TO com.
mencc with harlcquinade in which
the celebrated Carlin was TO appear
The curtain drew up. Carln advanced
on the stage, and, casting u glance
around the building, perceived that
pit, boxes and gallery were all equally
empty. lie stood silent for moment,
and then, addressing the leader of the
orchestra, said "Rcally, my friend,
have no mind to act for your sole
amusement | shall just quietly 60
home, and ! advise you and your
musicians to follow my example
"By no means, cried sharp voice,
issuing from remote corner of the
pit. 81 bar that. have paid my -
sous TO sec the play, and | insist on
having the worth of my money.
Looking in the direction of the voice.
the actor with some difficulty discerncd
being, about four feet in height,
making desperate efforts to approach
the stage by climbing over the benches.
"My dear sir" said Carlin, "if you
think so much of your 30 sous, my
comrades and | are quite ready to re
turn them; or, if you like it better, |
will even double the sum, and we will
have bottle of wine together"
Sir" replied the little man, as he
climbed on bench,,,'I am not thirsty.
| have paid. for seeing the play, and
the play must have So do me the
! favor to commence" So saying, he
assumed an upright attitude, which
displayed TO great advantage n huge
hump on his back
"My dear sir" said Carlin, mimick-
ing his tone of voice, lit can't be-.
why not, pray"
Because, in beginning / should
have to address myself to the public;
and, unhappily, there's no public here
TO address
81 am here, sir. For what do you
take me?'
81 take You for a hunchbock."
"Iou are an insolent fellow :" Car
lin took off his mask
Doubtless" he said, "you don't
know me. Learn that my name is Carlo
Bertina22i that before going on the
stage ] served as an officer in the army
of his His Majesty the King of Sardi-
mia, and that | never allowed an insult
to 90 UNPUBLISHED.
"You mistake" replied the bunch.
back, coolly; you are nat Carlo Borti-
naz2i You are the harlequin whom
have paid for seeing act Mn name,
Master Harlequin, is Joseph Dubrcuil.
] am an attorney 5 clerk and | live in
the Rue st. Honorc. Tomorrow
shall lodge my complaint with the lieu
tenant of police, who will be very likely
to lodge you quietly in prison if you
refuse TO commence your performance
Immediately.
Having so spoken, the little man,
with an air Of much dignity, resumed
his seat. Carlin was in the wrong, and
he knew II. He resumed his mask
and began to rccite his monologue, in
termingling ii with pointed eXiempOra-
neous illusions to his troublesome
auditor. The latter was delighted, and
applauded with might and main. How
ever, when it came to the turn of Car
! Inns fellow actors to speak they did so
with the utmost negligence, and the
hunchback, feeling his dignity invaded,
drew from his pocket an enormous
key, which, when applied to his lips,
served to produce a most sonorous hiss.
At this unexpected though well known
sound the actors paused.
Come" exclaimed the little man,
''you played badly, and | Kissed you;
It's quite according to rule"
"'Thc gentleman is right" said Car.
lin, che stands on his privilege. Let
us pay respect to the public and to our
selves.
The remainder of the act was played
in Il most satisfactory manner; and
just before the curtain fell, Carlin adj.
dressed his spectator. "Sir, said he,
should you happen to meet any OF
your friends this evening, perhaps you
will have the kindness to commend
our performances and advise them tc
visit us tomorrow" With much
sincerity the huLchback promised tc
accede to the request, and went out OF
the theatre during the interval between
the acts.
1t so happened that during the last
hour thick clouds had gathered in the
sky, and before the second act had
commenced fearful torrent of rain
was pouring down on Paris. The
pedestrians who thronged the street,
were glad to take refuge in any open
building, and in few moments the
Italian ThcGTeswas not only filed but
| crowded, Standing on bench in the
centre of the pit, the diminutivl
hunchback made himself cOnspicuou,
by the extraordinary series of gesture,
which he directed toward the stage
first pointing to himself and then t
the crowded ranks of spectators whose
leader and Conquercr he seemed TO be
OF course these pantomimc signals
were lost ON the nCwly-arrivCd public
but they were perfectly well understood
by Carlin, who smiled applause ON hi,
ambitious little friend.
The next morning, rs the latter wa,
setting out for his Office, a servant in
livery handed him letter bearing the
seal of the Italian Theatre Its con
tents We're as follows; IN. Cariia and
his friends request the honor of VI. Du
brcuil'S company at breakfast, and will
feel gratifcd by his acceptingu free sea
son ticket to the Italian Theatre as
slight mark of their esteem.
The hunchback gladly accepted Tho
invitation. The breakfast was delight
full, the entertainers and the cntcrtainc,
being equally pleased with each other
From that time the little man seldom
missed representation at the Italian
Theatre, and became the most inlimat
friend Of the harlequin, whom, whel
outside the theatre, he no longer hest
tated to recognize rs NJ. Carlin
Rev. sam Jones Pipe.
The Rev Sam Jones owns hundred-lol
lar meerschaum pipe, one Of the handsom