The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-08-19
a success. II y0a please we win COM

q success. II yon please we win COM
mence."
As is usual in such cases, one or two
had some natural taste among others that
were perfect sticks. Mr.. Dwight was so
clustered that he could not remember the
very lines he had written.
The play was long and tedious, difficult
TO remember and Iiresome to the listener.
The last act closed with a reception in
. private drawing room. The professional
suggested that it could be made very eff
fective with elegant dressing, flowers, fur
aiture and decorations. He trusted this
last scene might help to efface the past
misery.
The eventful night arrived. Many tick
cts had been sold, as it had been well
whispered about Tin confidence who was
the author. Mr.. Dwight had worked
night and day, and was in such fright
full state Of nervousness, that he felt like
giving it up altogether. The professional
seemed to think that there was a long
task before him, and had evidently forti-
ied himself to such an extent that he APP
peared somewhat confused. His first
mistake was to ring up the curtain with
3ut warning, which gave view of the
figures flying in every direction. 1t
was hastily dropped with violent bang.
The audience waited patiently for it to
roll up again. A gentleman stepped out
from the side, and said he hoped the audi
snce would have patience, as one of the
company was late arriving.
At last the play began and proceeded in
he usual manner of amateur theatricals,
some parts good, others very bad. Loud
prompting was heard from the sides
throughout. Mr.. Dwight, who only had
very short sentence to deliver, in his
anxiety made his entrance too soon, and.
finding he was not wanted, looked about
nelplessly until loud voices called him to
come off. He attempted to return by the
1oor through which he had entered, but
struggled in vain to open it on the side
where the hinges were. Finding the door
would not open, he slipped of at the side
IN such a state of fright, that when his
lime did come, he had to be pushed on,
and could only humble something that
40 one heard.
The play dragged on. The audience
was tired and bored, but too polite to
leave. At a quarter to twelve the last act
:ame, much to everyone's relief. The
curtain rolled up, showing BEAUTIFULLY set
room, elegant furniture, and profusion
If flowers wherever there was place for
Them. The dialogue was just begun,
when to everyone's amazement an un.
expected figure was seen at the center
door.
The figure which attracted 80 much at
tention was that of footman dressed in
IN elegant livery Of crimson plush. I'm
nense calves to his legs showed plainly
they were not of natural growth. A white
wig completed this costume. This was q
character entirely new in the play; on
closer inspection this elegant person was
found to be the professional himself, who
evidently thought to give the room more
elegance and an appearance of ease by
adopting this character. He carried
tray covered with glasses. AS he crossed
the room with dignifed but unsteady
step they jingled violently. AS soon as
the actors could recover from their sur
prise, they continued their parts, but
were constantly annoyed by the offer of
refreshments. AS soon as he disappeared
through one door he appeared at another,
knocking over flowers in his unsteady
meanderings.
Finally, when the act ended at 1890, he
occupied the center of the stage, and
bowed to the audience as gracefully as his
sudky legs wOulu allow
Financially the play was a success. In
every other respect it was about as sue
cessful q failure as ever was.
One of the papers came out boldly and
criticised the entertainment severely, say
ing that the Rev. Mr.. Morgan might be
able to write an excellent sermon, but not
play. Also they were much astonished
that he should introduce the character of
m Incorporate waiter, for, though it
might cause laughter from some people,
It was sight that all right-minded people
would discourage.
The Rev. Mr.. Morgan published a card
expressing his establishment that the
authorship Of the play should be credited
to him, and denying it emphatically.
Mr.. Dwight was 50 crushed at the re-
suit of his dramatic effort that he retired
TO his favorite back seat, where he still
keeps very quiet. He is not writing plays
as busily as he was; and to this day his
single effort remains anonymous.
Storm in It'd Bits