, 1886-02-05
TIE COMIC ACTOR.


cafe of the theatre, followed the Rue
d'Orsel, turned to the right and assembled
the Rue des Martyrs. A few minutes
after, he raised his head, and, CHANGING
to the top OF the house-the fifth story
his eye rested a moment on a window
which. despite the late hour, still formed
- joyful, luminous picture in the sur
rounding darkness; then, smiling. he
crossed the street, rang the bell. called
out his name in a sonorous voice as he
went by the porter's lodge, and ascended
the staircase four steps ut n time. BE
fore lac had reached the fifth flight, &
door opened, and an old woman, hen
face Illuminated by the rays of the lamp
she held in her hand, exclaimed:
as that you. Charloty"
ayes, NINA; good evening, m'mal"
He flung both his arms round the old
woman's neck, half sitting her with his
kisses: then both sat down before a table
whereon two covers were carefully laid.
There, in the moist heat that pervaded
the neat little dining-room. they had
their supper, while he recounted all the
details Of the evening, giving import
ance to the slightest incident, noting the
parts Of his role in which he had pro-
duced some effect, telling stories about
his comrades, chattering and gossiping
about everything and everybody.
Martin loved her 80 deeply, his
mother When still at school his father
died. and all his mothers tenderness
from that day centered in him. She
had brought him up somewhat like a
girl, surrounding him with every atten-
ton, starting at the slightest cough,
working day and night to supply all his
wants and satisfy his merest craving,
and when, grown a big boy, he had said
to her. Nina, / should like TO be an
actor - she not only consented, but en-
couraged him; 10 he entered the pro-
fession at the theatre of Montmartre,
where he Wa still one of the troupe.
He was not n great actor, certainly,
but he was n general favorite with the
f%requenters Of the place; his thin face,
with its high, red cheek bones. his big
mouth, his tremulous voice which
seemed 10 issue from "a clarinet, and
especially the good humored manner he
had Of saying IA funny thing, made peo-
pie burst out laughing as soon rs he APP
peared on the stage, and gained for him
quite a o throughout the quarter;
his success, however, never extended
beyond. But what wa that to him.
since he had his mothers whole admira-
toni
His calm, quiet, hum-drim life, suited
linn 80 thoroughly that he could realize
no other, and when, after the perform
ance. some one invited him out 10 n
party of pleasure, he would exclaim;
We'll, and what about MAMA at homer
Once only, Martin had had n big grief.
The evening when this occurred, a great
discussion had arisen in the green-room;
each Of those present spoke in high
words, swore Justify and spoke of send
ing seconds; n wind of battle was in the
air. When our actor arrived, a news
paper was placed in his hand; he read
u long article in which comedians We're
sorely treated; but, amid all the insult
ing languages used, one thing struck
him more forcibly than all the rest: it
was said that stage players were incapa-
BILE of harboring IA single genuine sonti
ment. He said not Il word, but an ex-
preston of ineffable sadness came over
his face. In the evening, when he came
home, without saying n word, he handed
the newspaper to his mother. pointing
to the article, and when she had read it
through, he exclaimed, as two big tears
rolled down his cheeks:
"Say, ia it true, NINA, hat l don't
really love your"
Already mother Martin had Rugged
him TO her bosom, and, with a wild
glitter in her aged eye as if TO defy the
author of the scurrilous article, she
yelled out frantically;
"The villain let him come and see
whether you don't love your mother,
my dear boyH"
One evening in December, the theatre
was crammed with spectators, because
it happened TO be the first performance
Of a piece wherein her boy played the
chief role, and his name appeared in
large characters on the posters outside
1t proved a real triumph for Martin.
Each time he walked off the stage, the
applause burst forth with redoubled
vigor; never before had his ~comicality
shot over the footlights with such ire
sistible effect, provoking laughter
among the coolest; never had he so well
pe%rsonated a part, tasking himself to his
utmost. The fact is that, in that great
crowd, he saw but one person. at the
other end OF the pit, hoisted in her seat.
and a%pplauding with rapture his
motherl Poor mother Martin, he
played for her alone hat EVENING"
Nh.u Tho a..rfutn Fa1l 80, a.. Ia -
Martin was called back by name-one
of the greatest honors on any stage.
Mother Martin. quiet beyond herself
Tor joy, quickly sought to got out.
stumbling over those who were next to
her; she made her way to the back of
The house, where she took up her sta
lion in the dark alley through which the
rtistes came out. Her head was so
l,oded with joyous thoughts that she
.'rgot 10 wrap around her shoulders a
arm shawl she had on her arm; she
mt and came. spoke in audible tones,
1t impatient, and found that he had
ever before been so long in changing
,3 dress Al last he appeared. She
Hmded toward him, and. putting her
ns round his neck, murmured in a
vuice half strangled with emotion:
-Ohl-my boy my own, dear boy -
Martin, deeply moved, put his arms
ta'und her waist, and pressing her
arlly 10 his heart stammered:
Then, you arr pleased, are you, lear
f. ma"
Gould II he otherwise p oh my dear
V~lnulotir