Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04
MY DEBUT AS A WILLIAM.

the Maiden Martyr of Tankville," at
Willowtown, on Tuesday night, when sud
denly our heavy villain sbsconded taking
with him $3.50, the entire amount in the
treasury of the concern! What was to be
done about it? It was to late to advertise
for another heavy villain: and, besides,
there were yety few OF them IN the states
at that time, because the smallpox was
not raging in Montreal. We had con-
sultation, and decided that something
must be done. I suggested that, as last
resort, the part Of the villain might be
lett out, and the heroine might make
way with herself at the proper stime; but
as there really did not seem to be any
reason why She should commit suicide IN
the circumstances, we concluded that it
might detract from the impres3iveness
and destroy the unity Of the play, and
that on the whole my suggestion was not
just the thing. Finally the heroine
asked me if I wouldn't play the part Of
the villain! I reminded her that my con-
tract with the company expressly provid-
Cd that / should be exempt from histri-
onic duties, and Furthermore, that ! knew
l had no talent whatever for acting, and
might become embarrassed and forget my
part, or do something else equally as IN
fortunate. But she persisted that [ was
Just the man for q viliain-out out for
the part, as IL were by nature; and, as for
getting stuck IN my lines, she said that
she would guarantee TO 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-to whose
charms | was not altogether blind-pre-
vailed upon me, and against my better
Judgment / consented to take the part of
Inc villain.
/ devoted four days TO committing the
part to memory. / hen rehearsed for the
company, IN costume, and succeeded in
getting as far as the stabbing scene with
out losing my cue. Here I could not re-
member whether the victim shrieked first
or /, in deep bass tones, exclaimed: "Aha!
oisdainfui one, prepare 80 die" The le-
suit was that we both gave utterance to
our emotions at the same time, creating
very undramatic hu5bub. The entire
company broke down and laughed for
several minutes. But we got through
with the rest of the tragedy all right and
the second rehearsal went off better still.
We had time for just one more rehearsal
but this rehearsal, strange TO say, was not
as good Gas far as | was concerned) as
the second.
On Tuesday we took the afternoon
train for Willowtown. I was rather ner-
vous all the way down, but the rest of the
company oheered me up and assured me
that the inspiration of appearing before
an audience would take ali my pida-
b,t, I a
my mind not TO worry, but TO do the best
/ could when tho time came.
We arrived at Willowtown inst IN time
for supper, ana, after refreshing our
selves, we went immediately 10 the barn
where the representation was To be given,
and got our limited scenery and proper
ties In shape. By o'clock we were all on
deck, in costume, and, when the stamping
OF feet and whiStliDg among the audience
warned us that it was time for the cur
tain to go up, we gave the signal To the
shIfter and burst upon rhe assembled
populace in all our splendor. [ should
state, however, before our sp]endor be-
camd fully revealed, 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 hsycock-which,
taken IL connection with the harvest
scene, of which it formed u part, was we'll
enough, Uf course, but was rather incon-
gruous, appearing as it did, without the
necessary scenic support
The first scene passed of very smooth
IL, 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 fash
ion, wrapped in mystery and long black
cloak, introduce myself to the audience
in O few half audible and occult remarks
to one of the actresses and then disap-
pear as abruptly as [ had come, by we'll
executed and rapid backward movement,
as though had melted mysteriously into
the gathering twilight. / had perform ed
this feat very successfully at all the re-
hearself, and thought was ripe for it on
the present occasion. In fac, it YVES the
only thing in the role which | fels conf
dent of performing to perfection.
As / came upon the stage, dark, satur-
nine, forbidding, with one corner of roy
cloak thrown over my left shoulder, u
hush of awe fell upon the asse mbled audi
ence. My heart swelled with triumph,
and left the inspiration of which my fell
low actors had spoken thrilling to my
finger tips. The lady to whom I was to
address my mysterious remarks started
and cringed as ] appeared suddenly be-
fore her. The sepulchraI sentences were
spoken. l raised my hand warningly and
began TO melt away in the twilight; but,
alas! l had miscalculated the location of
the opening through which was TO evap-
crate. There was sudden crash that re-
sounded through every part of the build
ing, and the next instant was fat upon
my back, wrestling with the foreground
of the twilight scene, which had topped
over upon me, while roars OF laughter
pealed from the delighted audience. To
add TO the righteousness of the perform
ance, the scene ,shifter tried to let the
curtain down with dispatch, but only the
end opposite TO me would descend, and
IN doing SO very unexpectedly it left one
of our farm laborers on the outside, near
the footlights. This seemed to increase
the amusement OF the audience.
By the time the shifter got my end of
the curtain down was so exhausted with
my struggles and my emotions, that had
to be carried bodily into the dressing
room. Brandy and other seductive re
storatives were administered, and finally
came TO sufficiently, to wipe the pers pira-
ton from my brow and groan. They
assured me that the accident was by nc
means an uncommon one; that the play
need not be spoiled by it, if al else went
sell; and they suggested that the audi
ance would be more thar willing 20 par
don an episode which had furnished Sc
much innocent merriment not down or
the bills. Finally, when the heroine hae
cast herself at my feet, and olasped he
ciammy hands IN my own, pleading Will