The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-30
WANTED TO ACT.

A Little Boys Stage Experience and How
1t Ended.
George Howard was a little boy
seven years old, who lived in the great
city of Chicago.
One afternoon Mr.. Howard pur-
chased ticket of admission so that
George might go to the pantomime;
but he told the little boy to come home
Immediately after the performance,
and not want to talk to any one.
George promised to do as he was told.
and away he went to the thoater with
his father, who left him at the door, re-
minding him to come directly home
afterward.
The theater was crowded with peo-
pie, and although it was the afternoon
lighted by gas. When the grand trans
formation took place George was per-
fectly delighted, and thought he had
never seen any thing so pretty. He
wondered who the little boys and girls
were who took the part of fairies and
cupids, and thought what a nice time
they must have, all dressed in bright
ribbons and gauze dresses, smiling and
dancing on the stage, while the crowds
in the theater laughed with delight and
clapped their hands.
Little George Howard suddenly
wondered why he could not act on that
very stage, and wear bright ribbons,
and laugh while the people applauded
him, besides making money all the
time. During the rest of the perform
ance he made up his mind that he
would try it, anyway. So, after the
curtain rolled down for the last time,
and the people were going out of the
theater, George made his way down to
the front of the house near the stage,
where the men sit who play violins
and comets and other musical instru-
ments. One of these men sat on q
chair raised higher than tile rest, and
waved a baton to keep the other musi-
clans in time when they played. This
man was the only one remalningin the
place, so George walked up to him,
and said: ..
..Please. sir, I want to act"
want to act, do youp' answered
the man in great bass voice, and
then he sat down on his chair and
laughed very hard. Then he contin-
ued: "What on earth put it into your
head that you wanted to actp My ad-
vice is for you to 60 home and stay
there" ,s-- sa r@'1
"But 1 don't want to-I want to
act," replied George.
"Do you really mean it," asked the
man. George nodded his head in re-
ply, and the orchestra leader leaned
forward in his chair and lifted little
rubber tube, on the end of which was
bright. shining mouth-piece. He
whistled through this, and was an
swered by somebody. Then he spoke
through the tube. saying:
"Has the stage manager gone home
Somebody evidently said that he had
not, for the man spoke again: .s
"Tell him there's a well-dresscd kid
down here who wants to tread the
histrionic boards and gain the worlds
applause
Then he put down the tube, and
turning to George, said:
The stage-manager will be hert
SOON" E..a
George did not know who the stage
manager was, but he waited for mo
ment, and a sharp-looking little mar
stepped through door and appeared
from beneath the stage. The small
man was full OF business, and after one
rapid glance at George Howard
turned to the orchestra leader ant
said:
"Where'd you pick him upP'
Nowhere; came himself" replied
the musician. .....'-...
Then the stage manager spoke t.
George:
"Ever been in front OF the lightsp-
1 No, you never acted" he continued
seeing that the little boy did not under
stand. "Well, we need one NOR
cupid, and you can come with me-"
Then he took George through tn
little door underneath the stage, wher
there were 80 many ropes, and pullies
of that kind that the little boy woull
have become lost, but following tn
stage-manager. he suddenly walked u
hall dozen steps and was behind th
scenes Of the great thsater. Mem an
women were hurrying to and fro, o
standing talking one with another
Some OF the men were In their shirt
sleeves pushing about great boxes an,
pieces Of scenery. or sweeping th
stage and turning down the lights.
George looked around him to %
where the trees were, and the house
and fences he ssw during the perform
snces. He had wondered how th
great trees grew in the theater, an
Yves considerably surprised and dissT
pointed to find that the trees wei
merely painted ON canvas which va
fastened TO wooden frame that va
mounted on wheels. which ran in littl
grooves. 20 that mon could easily pus
Il across the stage. h
II .'Now wen proceed to business.
said the stage manager, and he med
George take Of his nice leather shoe
} and put on . pair Of very soft, Aexib
! slipPsEs that were quite eoiled, s1thoua
ono would not notice the dirt shoul
4 4 a A. 49,