The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-15


men. I was not aware of the authorship of
the play. I can easily understand now
why you.do, not wish change. L have
| no doubt from the earnest desire cX-
pressed to do justice to the. writer, and the
talent at our disposal we-shlLl achieve
success If you please we will COM
| mcnce.'
AS is usual in such cases, one or two
had some natural taste among others that
were perfect sticks. Mr.. Dwight was so
tiustered that he could not remember the
very lines he had written.
The play was long and tedions, difficult
to remember and tiresome to the listener.
The last net closed with a reception in
q private drawing room. The professional
suggested that it could be made very eff
fectivc with elegant dressing, flowers, fur
niture and decorations. He trusted this
last scene might help to e1face the past
misery.
The eventful night arrived. Many tick
cts had been sold. us nit had been well
whispered about lin confidence) who was
the author. Mr. Dwight had worked
night and day, and was in such q 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-
fed himself to such an extent that he ap-
peared somewhat confused. His first
mistake was to ring up the curtain with
out warning, which gave q view of the
figures flying in every direction. 1t
was hastily dropped with o 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
ence would have patience, as one of-the
company was late arriving.
At last the play began and proceeded in
the usual manner of amateur theatricals,
some parts good, others very bad Loud
prompting was heard from the sides
throughout. Mr.. Dwight, who only had
q very short sentence to deliver, in his
anxiety made his entrance too soon. and,
finding he was not wanted, looked about
.Ip!eSsly until loud voices called him to
come off. He attempted to return by the
door through which he had entered, but
struggled in vain to open it on the side
where the e'hinges were. Finding, the door
would not open, he slipped off at the side
in such state Of fright, that whea his
! time did come, he had to be pushed on,
and could only humble something that
no one heard.
The play dragged on. The audience
was tired and bored, but too polite to
leave. At quarter to twelve the last act
came, much to cveryone's relief. The
curtain rolled up, showing q BEAUTIFULLY set
room, elegant furniture, and n profusion
of flowers wherever there was place for
them. The dialogue was just begun,
when to cvcryone's amaZe.nent an un-
expected figure was seen ut the center
door.
The figure which attracted so much at
tention was that of Il footman dressed in
all elegant livery of crimson plush. I'm
mcnse calves to his legs showed plainly
they were not of natural growth. 4 white
wig completed this costume. This was q
character entirely new in the play; OH
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 case by
adopting this character. He carried q
tray covered with glasses. AS he crossed
the room with a digniied 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 lie appeared ut 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
shaky legs would allow.
Financially the play was success. In
every other respect it was about as sue
cessful 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
a play. Also they were much astonished
that he should introduce the character of
an intemperate waiter, for, though it
might cause laughter from some people,
it was sight that all right-minded people
would discourage. r.
The Rev. Mr.. Morgan published card
expressing his astonishment that the
authorship of the play should be credited
to him, and denying it emphatically.
Mr.. Dwight was so 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 Dusily as he was; and to this day his
single effort remains anonymous.-Olve
Storm in Tid-Bits. ....