The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-16
MY DEBUT.
nr PAUL fASrNoR.

UT, AuC MNiueu ASAt9t LII AAHANAtIVs at Willowtown, on Tuesday night, when suddenly our heavy villain ab- seconded, taking with him $5, 50, the entire amount in the treasury of the concern, What WAS to be done about 1t? It was too late to advertise for onother heavy villain; and, besides, there were few of them in the states at that time, because the small pox was not raging in Montreal. We had consultation, aud decided that some- thing must be done. suggested that, as last resort, the part of the villain might bc lett out. and the heroine might make away with herself at the proper time; but, as there really did not eeein to hc any reason why she should commit suicide In the circum- stances, We concluded that 1t might detract from the impressiveness and destroy the unity of the play. and that on the whole my suggestion was not just tho thing Finally, the hero. inc asked me if wouldn't play the part of the villain! reminded her that my contract with the company expressly provided that should be exempt from histrionic duties, and, furthermore, that l knew l had no talent whatever for acting, and might become embarrassed and forget my part, or do something else equally unfortunate. But she persisted that l was just the man for villain--cut out for the part, as 1t were, by na- ture; and, as for getting stuck in my lines, she said that she would guaran- tee 10 help me out of that difficulty herself, as she knew every word of the play by heart, and could easily prompt me in tone that would not be heard by the audience. Well, the result was, that the fair heroine--io whose charms l was not altogether blind-prevailcd upon me, and, against my better judgment, I con sented to play the part of & villain.
 devoted four days to committing the part to memory. then rehearsed for the first time with the company, in costume, and succeeded in getting as far as the stabbing scene without losing my cue. Here could not re- member whethW the victim shrieked 6rst, or l, In deep bass tones, ex- claimed: "Aha disdainful one, pre- pare to die!" The result was that we both gave utterance to our emotions at the same time, creating very un- dramatic hubbub. The entire con- pany broke down and laughed for several minutes. But we got through with the rest of the tragedy all right, and the second rehearsal went of bet ter still. We had time for just one more rehearsal before our appearance at Willowtown; but this rehearsal strange to say, was not as good (so far as was concerned) as the second
 On Tuesday we took the afternoon train for Willowtown. was rather nervous all the way down, but the rest of the company cheered me up and assured me that the inspiration of appearing before an audience would take all my trepidation away. Thus encouraged, made up my mind not to worry, but to do the best 1 could when the time came.
 We arrived in Willowtown just in time for supper, and, after refreshing ourselves, we went immediately to the barn where the representation was to be given, and got our limited scenery and properties in shape. By eight o'clock we were all on deck, in costume, and, when the stamping Of feet and whistling among the audi ence warned us that 1t was time for the curtain to go up, we gave the sig nal to the shifter, and burst upon the assembled populsce in all our spien- dor. l should state, however, that before our splendor became fully re- vealed, there was some levity among the audience, owing to the fact that the curtain rose at first only at one corner, revealing a large brown jug standing by painted hayeock- which, taken in connection with the harvest scene, of which 1t formed . part, was well enough, of course, but WAS rather incongruous, appearing, as 1t did, without the necessary scenic support.
 The first scene passed of very smoothly, as neither of the principal characters, neither myself nor the hero- inc, appeared. In the second scene l was to come upon the stage in a sort of dark lantern fashion, wrapped in mystery and long black cloak, intro- duce myself to the audience in . few half audible and occult remarks to one of the actresses, and then disappear as abruptly as had come, by . we'll executed and rapid backward move ment, as though had melted mys- teriously into tke gathering twilight. had performed this feat very success fully at all the reh1arsals, and thought l was ripe for 1t on the present ocsa- sion. In fact, 1t was the only thing in the role wbisa felt confident of per- forming to perfection.
 As I came upon the stage, dark. | safurnine f0rhiddfn0 with one corner