Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-15
"You are satisfied with the terms ]


could have been more liberal" How
| wondered what they wereD
Eyes. I think that arrangement is
the fairest for both parties" said the
manager.
I found a group of seedy-looking
individuals on the stage, who were
severally introduced to me. The i'm
personator of Mary Wurzel was
pretty locking 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 ARRAY which takes
place."
The manager shrugged his broad
shoulders. "We can't get another
now"
While they arranged the first scene
I glanced around the theatre. It was
bandbox of a house, and I should
not have hesitated to play the piece in
my own proper person, had necessity
compelled it. But when Thursday
came I must be miles away! Here, I
suddenly remembered that the indi-
vidual [ was personating was renown-
ed for his vivacity and stores Of anec>
dote. So drew on my memory, az
unconmonly retentive one, and pour
ed forth stream of witticisms, which
seemed to meet the circumstances of
the case, for the company laughed
immoderatelY, until at last the man~
agersuggested 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"
l at once addressed myself to the
business of the scenes, and really
worked very hard in putting the COM
pany through their facings. 1t would
not interest the general reader to mem
ton IN detail the very natural Short
comings of scratch country company
of strolliag players. But / found
them very docil and extremely anx-
ious to follow my directios implicitly.
Small as were my available resources
[ expended half sovereign In refresh
ment, and their countenances express
ed their gratitude even more than their
words. There was another piece down
for rehearsal, Married for Money"
but was totally unacquairted with
the piece, so I suggested it should be
postponed till tomorrow. Toward
the conclusion of the rehearsal
[ observed Mr.. Simpson examining my
features with great earnestness.
''You wear uncommonIy well, Mr..
Matthews; was told you were ABOUT
forty, but you don't look more than
fvesand-twenty."
HAll habit, my dear, sir, l never
encourage the idea of age. [ 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 and twenty. Per
ennial Jove, you know, and all that
sort Of thing"
My auditor was convinced. I con-
tinued:
Besides youth is my stock in trade,
How could I play the youthful Jem~
my Jessamys if | looked nay full age?
Ny logic was nnanswerable.
Ere we parted Mr.. Simpson shook
my hand heartily.
ga check on Friday morning, as
soon as we have verified the receipts.
I suppose that will do, Mr.. Matthew's"
Perfectly" I replied, cordially re-
turning the pressure.
was walking leisurely toward my
L Il II Lol 81 oh
most turned my blood to water. Strid-
ing along In his usual brisk and jaunty
fashion was the great comedian him.
self. He was evidently going to the
theater. Fortunately the building was
closed, as I had seen Mr.. Simpson lock
the door aTd walk away with the key
in his pocket. But Seamouth was a
small place and the manager could
soon be found. Ny course was plain.
I must fly, and at once.
[ met the waiter in the doorway. He
grinned and pointed to couple of
trunks in the hall on which was in
scribed-sMr. Charles Matthew'S"
Hes come, sir"
"Where is the sherlff's office2" [
inquired in as calm tone as l could
assume.
Hes gone for walk on the beach.
I sent boots after him. The gent has
not come by the coach. He came ia
a fly. Pretty extravaganza in q man
as can't pay his owings. But it's just
like that class"
please make out my bill, waiter"
said calmly. though felt my heart
humping against my chest, as vul~
gar people say, nineteen to the dozen.
The walters countenauce fell.
"Ain't you comfortable, sir?"
"Quite; your hotel is a perfect ely
SUM; but Mr.. Simpson wishes me to
stay with him till leave SeamoutA."
In five minutes I had paid my bill
and given the waiter handsome dou-
ceur, and shouldering my portman-
teau, was on my way to the theatre.
The waiter expressed his regrets that
the boots was on the beach looking for
the Saeriff's officer, and so unable to
leave the hotel, ''all the spoons being
a o1,t Won gao cir -