, 1886-08-05
THE ANONYMOUS PLAY.

money. Inc ROOF lc;tkcu, inc cHrpet WIS
t%hreadbare; and these were the smallest
items. The minister's salary, for instance,
was months behind. 1t was necessary to
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 1t seemed as IL discord would
be the only result. Concerts, fairs, dona-
ton parties, tableaux, magic lanterns, all
were suggested and freely discussed.
While all this talking was going on, a
Mr.. Dwight, a young gentleman of lit
erary taste, and q teacher in Sunday
school, had n plan revolving in his head.
He was n modest, bashful man, preferring
always to take n back seat in the world
and let others come forward. As | have
said he was OF q literary turn of mind,
had written articles for several papers and
felt some pride in the success OF his pen.
He asked for "A private interview with his
minister and disclosed his plan. He had
written n play, partly the work OF his own
brain, partly made up Of suggestions
gathered from different works. His wish
had been to produce a drama that was
thoroughly wholesome in its tone, and to
which no objections could be made. He
thought the great reason many disap-
VI DllfatC tiltalll lAAof III 70
pecially for church entertainments, was
because no suitable plays could be 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 one 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 the plan before them. Mr..
Dwight requested that no one should
know he was the author, preferring that
the play should remain anonymous, and
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 astonishment TO hear the Rev. Mr..
Morgan that he had n play In
his possession written expressly for the
purpose of being able to produce n theatre
cal entertainment that could in no way
give offense to the most particular, and
was suitable for a church performance.
1t met with his approval, as he thought it
would be n novelty, and give the young
people n chance to assist. The author
wished to remain anonymous, but, he
toutlluti, WILL u slulit, ut llOuknL "
many present the writer was not n
known. 1t remained for the committee to
examine the play and give their decision.
II 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 rs II with one voice; "Of
curse the dear man wrote it himselfl"
"What an advantage to have such n
talented ministerv' 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 mt liberty TO tell,
which was very wise, somebody remarked,
because there ARE always evil minded peo-
pie who might object to n minister turn
ing his talents to such n purpose. Still, it
waI thoroughly understood who was the
author, and, Of course, the play must be
accepted. Mr.. Dwight became very help
iul. lie seemed to have forgotten his
usual b~nshfulness, and was even brave
tn'1sh to suggest having n professional
De, |, them. This seemed too extrava-
Lat when they remembered that it
T. perfect the ncting of the play their
nos II minister had written, consent was
~ IL anu NpllltupN MI DNlRnl SnOWtU
,tlueh kindly interest that he was given
n.y. Of finding n suitable person.
i..s first rehearsal was called. The
,g.f tllonal looked through the play, page
l.tlr lage.
Ladies and gentlemen said he, ''this
play is too long. Five acts is hard on
professionals nnd for amateurs apt to be
tircsomc. think 1t must be cut down to
three
mot for the worldr' cried II chorus OF
voices. I'VE will not have one word
changed
Dwight he said, taking him aside.
You know these people better Than / do.
Tell them what l say. This play is badly
written and worse in its construction.
From its looks | suppose it is written by
by some one here. If 1t is to be saved from
total failure, | must be allowed to cut ii. -"
Mr.. Dwight's face was the picture of
dismay.
perhaps n little cutting might help
it, he admitted, 81 might just mention
1t to them. You are sure,n he asked
hesitatingly, ''that it would be an inn
provement.n
"Why, my dear sirl The whole thing
is simply boshl nothing but boshi No
professional would look at itl'
"Oh,n said Mr.. Dwight, greatly fius-
tered, the blood rushing into his neck
and face. 'If you think it necessary,
and as you look at 1t from n professional
view, why of course we are not quite up
to that, you know, l suppose l had better
speak to them"
"Of coursel make haste, for we lose
time.n
Mr.. Dwight rose with n very red face,
and his soft voice showed signs of agita-
ton.
'Er-my friends-er my professional
friend, thinks from n professional point Of
view that our play is perhaps just a
little too long and docking with n pro-
fessional eye he thinks 1t might be i'm
proved by cutting in n few Places
"Mr. Dwight, " said the leading lady,
stiniy, ''you will be kind enough to tell
your professional friend that we do not
look ut this play with a professional eye,
but with n very friendly eye, rs the work
of our beloved minister. We will not
allow one Of his words to be cut. To
your professional friend | nave no doubt
his lofty thoughts may seem prosy, but
TO his congregation, not only amusing,
but improving
Mr.. Dwight was SO dumfounded Mt
hearing the whole credit of the writing Of
his play given to the minister, hat he re-
NAMED s%peechless. He had thought the
author would rcmnin n mystery, that he
would hear the fattering remarks and en-
joy them. Then, perhaps, when the
whole thing was over, possibly-hc was
not sure-he would come %blushingly for
ward and acknowledge himself as the
modest author.
But now it seemed he was not the
author.
as this true about the parson writing
the playi' asked the professional.
al had not heard" hcsitated poor Mr..
Dwight.
"Oh, comc now, OF course you know.
You ought to have told me his before;
I'm in n regular fix"
~ give you. my word l never thought