The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-03
NV Debut asaV VILLAIN.

The company was billed TO PLAY
my new tragedy, ''The Dripping Dag
ger, or the Maiden Martyr of Tank
ville," at Wlll0wtown, on Tuesday
night, when suddenly our heavy vii
lain absconded, taking with hin
$3.50, the entire amount in thu
treasury of the eoncernl What was
to be done about 1t, It was too lat.
to advertise for another heavy villain
! and besides, there were very few q
them in the states at that time, be
cause the smallpox was not raging
I in Montreal. We had a consultation,
| and decided that something must BE-
done. Isuggeeted that as a last re;
sort, the part of the villain might
be left out, and the heroine might
make away with herselfat the proper
time; but as there really did not seem
to be any reason why she should com.
NIT suicide in the circumstances, we
) concluded that it might detract from
the impressiveness and destroy the
unity ofthe play, and that on the
whole my suggestion was not just
the thing, Finally the heroine asked
me if l wouldn't play the part of the
villainl Il reminded her thet my con-
tract with the company expressly
provided that l should be exempt
from histronic duties, and, further
more, that knew l had no talent
whatever for acting, and might be-
come embarrassed and forget my
part, or do something else equally as
unfortunate. But she persisted that
was just the man for a villain-cut
out for the part, asst were, by nature;
and as for getting stuck in my lines;
she said that she would guarantee
to help me out of that difficulty her.
self, 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--to
whose charms l was not altogether
blind-prevailed upon me, and
against my better Judgment I con-
sented to take the part of the villain.
l devoted four days to committing
the part to memory. l then re.
hearsed for the first time with the
company, in costume, and succeeded
in getting as far as the stabbing
scene without losing my cue. Here 1
could not remember whether the VIC
tim shrieked first or l, In deep bass
tones; exclaimed: "Aha! disdainful
one, prepare to die!' The result was
that we both gave utterance to our
emotions at the same time, creating
q very undramatic hubbub. The en-
tire company broke down and
laughed for several minu'es But we
got through the rest IF the tragedy
all right, and the second rehearsal
went off better still. We had time
for just one more rehearsal before
our appearance at Willowtown; but
this rehearsal strange to say, was
not as good las far as [ was con-
cerned) as the second.
On Tuesday we took the afternoon
train for Willowtown. l was rather
nervous all the way down, but the
rest of the company cheered me up
and assured me that the inspiration
ofappearing before an audience would
take all my trepidation away. Thus
encouraged, l made up my mind not
to worry, but to do the best could
when the time came.
We arrived in ,Willowtown Just in
time for supper, and, after refreshing
ourselves, we went Immediately to be
given, and got our limited scenery and
properties in shape. By s O'Clock we
were all on deck, in costume, and,
when the stamping of feet and whist
ling among the audience warned us
that it was time for the curtain to go
up, we gave the signal to the shifter,
and burst upon the assembled popu-
lace in all our splendor. should
state, however, that before our splen-
dor became fully revealed, there was
some levity among the audience,
owing. to the fact that the curtain
rose at first only at one corner, re-
yealing a large browning standing by
q painted haycock-which, taken in
connection with the harvest scene,
Of which it formed a part, was well
enough, of course, but was rather in
congruous, appearing, as it did,
without the necessary scenic support.
The first scene passed off very
smoothly, as neither of the principal
characters, neither myself nor the
heroine, appeared. In the second
scene was to come upon the stage
in sort of dark lantern fashion,
wrapped in mystery and long black
-eleek, introduce myself to the audi
ence in a few half audible and occult
remarks to one of the actresses and
then disappear as abruptly as had
come, by a well executed and rapid
backward movement, as though l
had melted mysteriously into the
gathering twilight. l had performed
this feat very successfully at all the
rehearsals, and thought l was ripe
for. it on the present occasion. In
fact, it was the only thing in the role
which felt confident OF performing
to perfection.
AS l came upon the stage, dark.
saturnine, forbidding, with one cor
ner Of my cloak thrown over my left
shoulder, a hush OF awe fell up
on the assembled audience.
My heart swelled with triumph,
and I.felt the inspiration of which my
fellow actors had spoken thrilling to
my very finger tips. The lady to
whom was to address my mysteri-
GUS remarks started and cringed as
] appeared suddenly before her. The
sepulchral sentences were spoken. |
raised my hand warningly and be-
sran IN rnolt ava " in tho TWILIGHT. Init