The Dillon tribune., 1886-09-10
!Utt 1illon !Tribnnt.
THE ANONYMOUS. PLAY.

114NOAN AAO OkI L LIZA
. The Episcopal church in S. was
sadly in need OF funds. Everyone felt
that something must be done to raise
money. The roof leaked, the carpet was
threadbare: and these were the smallest
items. The minister's salary, for instance,
was months behind. 1t was Eccessnrvto
make.an effort, and at once. This was
the only point upon which the members
of the congregation agreed. AS to the
matter of how, the difference was SO
great that it seemed as il discord would
be the only result. Concerts, fairs, dona-
ton parties, tablcaux, magic Einterns, all
were suggested and freely discussed.
While all this talking was going on, a
Mr.. Dwight, u young gentleman OF lit
erary taste, and Il teacher i'll Sunday
school, had Il plan revolving in his head:
He was {; modest, bashful man. preferring
always to take a back seat in the world
and let others come forward. As have
said he was Of IL literary turn OF mind,
had written articles for several papers and
felt some pride in the success I'll hi:;. pen
He asked for Il private interview with lis
minister and disclosed his plan. lie had
written play, partly the work U9' his own
brain, partly made up OF suggestions
gathered from different works. lis wish
had been to produce q drama that Was
thoroughly wholesome in its tone and to
which no objections could be made. lie
thought the great reason many disap-
proved of private tl2eatricolG. and es-
pecially for church e,,terta inilciits, was
because no suitable plays could he found.
1t was this difficulty that first suggested
the idea OF his Play.
The Rev. Mr.. Morgan was much
pleased with the idea, and said he was
glad to find enc of his congregation had
taken SO much pains for the benefit Of the
church.. He would carefully read the
play, which no doubt would meet with his
approval; then call the committee to-
gether and lay tho plan before them. Mr..
Dwight requested that no one should
Know he was the author, prefcrrng that
the play should remain anonymous. ;;2,d
adding also that he would like to perform
one one Of the small parts himself
"A few days after the amusement COM
mittee was requested to meet, Great was
their establishment to hear the Rev. Mr..
Morgan announce that he had play in
his possession written expressly for the
purpose Of being able to produce q theatre
cal entertainment that could in no way
give ofense to tho most particular, and
was suitable for a church performance.
It met with his approval, as he thought it
would be novelty, and give the young
people q chance to assist. The author
wished to remain anonymous, but, he
continued, with smile, he thought to
many present the writer was not UNI
known. It remained for the committee to
examine the play and give their decision.
Il favorable, it would be well to COM
mence the rehearsal as soon as possible.
Great was the commotion when the re-
suit Of the meeting was made public
They all spoke as if with one voice: s'Of
course the dear man wrote it hilnselfn'
"What an advantage to have such O
talented minister!'' Those who might
have raised objections to theatricals were
now anxious to let their children take
part. Many taxed the Rev. Mr.. Morgan
with the authorship. He only shook his
head and said he was not at liberty to tell,
which was very wise, somebody remarked,
because there are always cvil-mindcd peo-
pie who might object to q minister turn
ing his talents to such a purpose. Still, it
was thoroughly understood who was the
author, and, OF course, the play must he
accepted Mr.. Dwight became very help
hl. He seemed to have forgotten his
usual bashfulness, and was even brave
enough to suggest having professional
to drill them. This seemed too extrava-
CANT, but when they remembered that It
was to perfect the acting of the play their
beloved minister had written, consent was
given; and somehow Mr.. Dwight showed
80 much kindly interest that he was given
charge of finding u suitable person.
The first rehearsal was called. The
professional looked through the play, page
after page.
Ladies' and gentlemen" said he, ''this
play is too long. Five acts is hard on
professionals and for amateurs apt to be
tiresomc. think it must he cut down to
three"
''Not for the worldn' cried O chorus of
voices. 1--WE will not have one word
changed"
Dwight" he said, taking him aside.
"You know these people better than do.
Tell them what say. This play is badly
written and worse in it's construction
From its looks ! suppose it is written by
by some one here Ii it is to he saved from
total failure, must be allowed to cut it. -
Mr.. DWiSht'S face was the picture of
lismay.
''perl.:ps I. little cutting might help
it, he admitted, .! might just mention,
it to them. You are surc,'' he asked
hesitatin@iv, that it would be ali i'm
provcmcnt.'
''Why, my dear sir! The whole thing
is simply bosh! nothing but bosh! Nc
professional would look at it!''
"Oh," said Mr.. Dwight, greatly flus.
tered, the blood rushing into his neck
ind face. IF you think it necessary,
and as you look at it from C. professional
view, why OF course we are not quite up
to that, you know, suppose had better
speak to them"
''Of course! make haste, for we lose
time.''
Mr.. Dwight rose with a very red face,