The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-23
MISS RIDDLES INVOLUNTARY INTERPOLATION
AS JULIET"


MISS RIDDLES INVOLUNTARY IsTERpoLATIoN
Az JULIET"
While yet mere youth was acting In
the old city Of Lancaster, Pa, during the va
cation Of the regular theatrical season, with
n portion OF the company attached TO the
Arch Street theatcr, Philadelphia. Mis- Eliza
Riddle, one Of tho most beautiful and accom-.
plishod actresses Of the American stage and
great iavorito In Philadelphia, was the
leading lady OF the "Star Combination" rs
II IL generally termed in provincial towns.
Miss Riddle was afterward popular star
nctreSs In the principal theaters Of the south
N west She became the wife of Mr.. Joseph
IA. Field, the eccentric comedian and the
witty editor u one OF the popular papers Of
g.. Louis. Their only child Is our tale n tod
young countrywoman, Miss Kate Field.
That my readers may realize the situation
OF Affairs IN connect IN with the incident 10
be related, will state that the building In
which we were acting was originally u barn,
| aud had been lifted up, as the playbills say,
regardless Of expense" 10 answer the pur-
poses Of n thcater. Tho rear stone wall,
which formed the back part Of the stage,
still retained the large double folding doors
~ the barn, while the yard al the rear, with
its sheds, was used for the accommodation
NJ the propriotor's cows. The double doors
were made available for scenic purposes
when siu having n rude landscape scene
painted ON the boards, and when they were
open they afforded the means of increasing
the size ~ the stage. which was done by
laying down temporary floor on the out
side directly opposite tho opening. wooden
framework covered with painted canvas
forming the sides. back and top 81 the cx.
tension, The play was Romeo and juliet"
Miss Riddle. performing the part of Juliet
/ AL HnFnaA
Tho extra staging described had been sci
up In the barnyard and was incloscd by the
canvas walls, and thus room was obtained
for the Tomb Of the Capulets." The front
part ~ the tomb was formed 81 a set piece,
81 called, painted Ia represent the marble Oi
the sepulchrc, In which were hung the doom
forming It's entrance, and at the top wa.
painted In large letters 'The Tomb 81 the
Capulcts" Within the tomb, and against
the canvas Which formed the rear wall. was
small wooden Platform, ON which wa,
placed q compact mas Of bay, shaped like .
pallet and nicely covered with black muslin
aud on this hay-stufled couch was to rest the
body OF the dead and drugsurfcitcd Lady
Juliet
In view OF the gloomy surroundings Of IN,
tomb, aud particularly of It's close proximity
To the barnyard, Il would not be considered
under amy circumstances, n pleasant resting
place for yonng lady, especially OF AN i'm
al,inatiye turn ol mind.
Before the rising Of the curtain on the fifth
net, however, had carefully inspected thC
premises aud looked after the proper dis
Posal Of Juliet In the tomb 10 that when the
doors were TO be thrown open In sight Of the
audience there might be no obstacle 10 the
full view Of the scpulchrcd heroine.
Everything was pr iunccd IN a state oi
readiness, and. receiving from Miss Riddle
an oarn,st request IA hurry on the scene
which prcocdcs the catastrophe OF the tragedy
! left her, her last words being 20 do hur,
~. Mr. MurlOchl I'm W dfcadfully afraid Of
rats"
The curtain rose. Romeo received IN,
news Of the death Of his Juliet. In despair
provided the fatal poison and rushed b. the
graveyard. Here lac met and dispatched his
riNal-Cuunt rnfis-bnrt open the doors ol
the tomb and there, Ia tho dim, mys,eriou.
light, lay Juliet. The frantic lover rushed
10 her side, oSclaim.ng
"Oh. my I vel my wlfa
Death, that hat snck,.l tho honey 81 thy breath.
sSa s s noe ~ sss5 ny "Sa ss. a vet
l. crimson IN thy lips aud IN thy chctks.
And deaths Pale 'i's = not ".sT"nco! there.
"Ah. dear Juliet
Why an thou yet ~ fair
Here. observing strange twiiching, IN The
face aud hands Of the lady. st0Opcd during
my last line ~ ask her IN n stage whisper
what was the matter a. which she sobbingly
replied; "Oh. take mo out " this. Oh, take
me out Of this, or shall dicl"
Feeling ASSURED OF the necessity of the
case, aud wishing 10 bring the sccne 10 q
close, seized upon the poison and ca
claimed.
.,come, better conduct, come unNvory guide;
Thou desperate pilot nov ~ onCc run on
Tho dealing ROCKS. Thy -nasick weary bark"
smothcrcd sobhings and suppressed NUT.
tcfiugs oi "Oh, Mr.. Murdoch, take me out
You must take mo out" came from the
couch. Now fully alarmed. l swallowed ihC
poison, cKclaimlnE
"IIcNt 10 my love"
Then, throwing away tie vial and with
my hack 10 the tomb, I struck an attitude
A. usual, and waited for tho expected ap
plau.c. when ! was startled by a piercing
shrek. and turning. I bchcli my lady love
sitting up wringing her hai d, and fcarfully
alive. I rushed furwhri, seiHcl aud bop
her to the iootlighls, aud was received with
shouts NJ applause. No one had noticed the
by. play 81 The tomb, nordld the dying scene
lose any OF the effects. for Juliet was excited
and hysicfical. aud Romeo In n state ol
frantic bewildcfmcnLr The curtain fcll
amid every manifestation Of delight on The
part 81 the audience.
Aud now for the scene behind the curtain.
All the dcadallvc Juliet could gasp out was,
'Oh. Oh, the bel tho bcdl oh, oil The rats
the ntsl" ! nan up the stage. tori open the
lallct aud there. oh horrors, sticking
through the canvas wells ~ the tomb, VEN
tho horns and head Of COW. Though the
Intruder had smcltno rats. she had, IN some
mysterious way, scented the fodder and
after pushing her uose through IN unforiu'
nate rent In the canvafs, proceeded 10 make
her supper OF the hay which formed the
couch OF the terrified Juliet
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