Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-08-13
WONDERFUL ARTISTS.
A Theatrical Man Tells Of the Most
wonderful Performance
lie Ever saw.

John Plckney, Il well-known theatri-
ca man who had just returned from 4
remote reg on Of Arkansas. was met by
q friend who said:
John. You are the most adventurous
man ever saw. ! hope that your re-
cent trip out in the country will teach
you that the stage must rest during the
summer months
well, now. let me tell Won that |
never was so successful in my life. We
had very hard luck until we got to a
small place named Apostlevillc. 1t con.
tanned no hall, and was about 10 move
on when Il man who said that his name
was Boseacre came up and suggested a
capital idea. some time ago said he
the Grand Partisan, Fayetteville and
Oriental Circus and Menagerie came
here. and having suffered i'm conse-
suence of rains, was compelled. as a
guarantee of good faith, TO leave its
monster three canter-poled tent. The
tent Is now in my possession, and I'll
tell YOU what | II do: II YOU Il agree to
give me half the receipts I'll put six
thousand people in that tent ut two dol
lars head. | gazed in astoniShment.
Mr. Boseacre continued: The per-
formance must be given in the DAYTIME.
so people from all over the country can
come; and by the way, rs | know these
people, YOU must let me arrange the
play. We must have scallold on the
stage; platform only Il few inches
from the ground, YOU know. and we
must have the play arranged so that II
man can be hanged. Nothing SO much
as hanging app as to the peoples
sense OF the sublime in art. What do
you say
1t may be n good idea. but we
must have time to advertise it. ."
In see 20 that, said he.
But il the play be comparatively
new one we must rchearsc it several
times.
Never mind about that Say, |
know g fellow who can do the hanging
act to perfection, and ] also know a
fellow who can play the preacher to n
saints taste. Leave all those little de-
tails 10 me. I'll arrange them.
Il would have insisted upon carrying
out my own ideas, but he was so impor-
tunate that | could not resist him. He
advised me TO keep myself and troupe
Is secluded rs possible, declaring with
much truth, that IN air of mystery
should hang round an actor.
The day camc-I never shall forget
it. People came from every direction;
came in wagons; horseback, and on foot.
Many of them had come from so great
distance that they had been compell-
Ell TO camp by the waysidc. | asked
Boseacre how he managed to so extern
siyely advertise our reriormance. and
he replied 10y saying that dozen men
on horses were worth million hand
bills. The performance was 10 begin
promptly n enc o'clock. and sir, by
ha'f-past twelve the tent was crowded.
We put on our improvi,cd piece but the
audience seemed to be reste>, until the
hanging scene began. The man select
ed TO take t.c part of the condemned
murderer va, Il quiet looking fellow,
and as hc sat Ia his cell surrounded by
armed men. thought that / had never
seen such picture on the stage The
preacher took his part TO perfection,
and when he had followed the muir
dcror TO the scalold. he prayed in so
touching manner that the audience
WIS moved TO tears. When the time
came the murderer stepped forward and
said:
Ladies and gentlemen. l see you
Tor the last time on This earth. | ac-
knowledge that l committed murder,
bat am glad to say that have receiv-
cd PARDON from above. Young men,
advise YOU TO keep out of bad company.
hope TO meet you all in heaven. There
is crown awaiting me and when put
l: on III shout with loud voice. If
had my life to 20 over again | would
not commit single sin. Goodbye, and
hope you'll all meet me in heaven.
II looked on with profound admira-
ton. Who would have thought that
those rustics were such artists. Verify,
we must delneatc nature with nature.
The black cap was drawn and the trap
was sprung. turned away with
shudder. Boseacre had done his work
so well. had so concealed the trick that,
close as ! was, could not detect it.
The hanging man shrugged his shoul
dcrs and struggled. Then he became
motonless. The audience began to de-
part, and turning to Boseacre said
well done terribly well done.
"'No bungling about it, eh?'
"'Not a bit Let's take him down.
mot time yet.
".The audience is going.