The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-30
SUES RUSE.

SUES RUSE.
Yes. sir, I've been in the show bust
ness one way and another, nearly thir-
t. years. and I've had my ups and
downs.
Made any money?
Well, sir. its business which either
makes or loses big. I've made two or
three fortunes, and lost about as much
as made. I've got moderate provis-
ion for the time when get too old to
travel about this way. ! reckon that
as much as most OF EN- come ont with.
and ought to be pretty we'll satisfied.
But tell You. time has been when !
did not know where the next meal
would come from, and half dozen or
a dozen players to be provided as for
well as myself remember one Of the
bluest times ever struck was at Albury
-ha! ha! / can laugh now to think Of
that girls sharpness. but it was no
matter for laughing at that time.
was starring it through the country
with speciality troupe-musical acts,
phunny, phellows.' yentriloquists.
tricksters, and minstrels, with small
comedy company thrown in.
Nam sellc Snsine Allonctte was with
US (she was Sue Allen off the stage) as
leading lady. and also in several daring
tight-ropc and trapczc acts.
She was sharp little midget, and
used to give us some spice of her tongue
when she got riled a bit.
But she helped me out of bad fix
grandly. the time speak Of, and felt
like giving her little liberty.
We had been having fortnight Of
bad weather, before we struck the town
II alluded to. and Of course had
played 10 very poor houses.
l hadn't been able 10 pay my COM
pany's salaries for three weeks, hadn't
shilling to send home tony wife. and
things looked pretty bad. tell you.
When we got to the town ! had
hardly money enough to pay the boys
who distributed my bills. and not a
penny for the newspapers.
had about made up my mind to sell
my watch lhc only thing of value ]
had lefty. pay off the men and girls as
far a could, and disband the COM
pany.
We came on al night from the last
town, and | resolved to see what the
weather was in the morning before
decided what to do.
When got up saw the streets COW
cred with mud and sharp. cold wind
blowing.
Ii would be an awful night and we
would get no house ut all.
/ Nv heart sunk like lead, and
wished hadn't sent the bills out.
We should have 10 play that night
but it would be the last time.
thought | would speak to my lead.
! ing lady. SO | Went to Sue Allen room
and raped.
She opened the door. and found hel
mcnding the suit she wore in her trap
eze acts-we We're too poor to hav.
new costumes just then.
.Sue," said /, 1--WE come 10 hrin.
bad news"
well. what is it?" said she.
We've got to break up / said,
with sigh.
Nov l don't see that!' returned
Sue, fixing her sharp eyes on me
.What is the reason?''
.Why. we've made nothing for ;
month, Sue. can't pay any Of you
and know you need your money"
..Well. this is fair-sized town,
says Sue, calmly.
| Eyes. but look what wretcne,
weather! We won't have half hous
tonight, and l cant even put put
into the papers to coax people out. 1t
no use, Sue. we'll have to give up!'
mot if know it, says Sue. strikin,
an attitude. Cant you get up
sensation that will draw?'
"I've tried to think of something
and / can't" answered. '.Ther
isn't a dodge that can be gone through
with without money, and that
haven't Co.,
well, I've been trying to think
too" says Miss Sue. coolly rs before
..And think we will have crowde
house tonight.
..Who's going to fill it?" asked.
II VI am" returned Miss Sue, liz
murely.
i gave low whistle of incredibly
20, mean it," said Sue.
! There was an air about the gil
which struck me.
..Mr. Lane said she, as ! locke
silently ut her, Il want my salar,
and don't want this company to &
down. If you'll let me do as pleas.
and ask no questions, Ill ill that ha
, full tonight and we'll all get o.,
money
Then do rs you please | groanet
"Anything to help us. just now!'
you give me full liberty. and II
lqucstionss" asked Sue.
Yes! Goahead!''
"All right. I'm going out for
walk in ten minutes. Make some {
the men walk in the direction do, b,
| order them on no account to com
near or interrupt me. viii you?"
Eyes, will. Sue. Where are yo
: going?"
Never mind that. Isn't there
|, railway bridge near hcre?"
Yes, We came past it."
II thought SO. What time does Il
next train from Melbourne arrive9'
!, looked at my watch.
.In just half an hour, said l.
!, ..Then I've no time to lose" erie
Sue. There, be of, SO can 60"
! Look here, what are you going
!. do firs;?' asked, anxiously.
; Nothing that will hurt me. l assul
you," answered Sue, laughing. IAN
YOU promised to ask no question
!. You stay here, and if YOU hear Of an.
; thing extraordinary, why then conn
Order the men to do as l told you, b,
they must not try to stop me. i ca