Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-03
A TENOR WANTED.
Beginning and End of an Anna
 tours Dramatic Career.

The fortnight before Easter is busy time for theatrical agents in Paris, that being the season when country man. agers are invariably occupied in remod- cling their companies and contracting fresh engagements to replace those of their actors who have either volunta- rily left them or have been dismissed as not satisfying the requirements of the local public. On a certain morning, about ten days previous to the Paschal solemnities few years ago, NJ. Colom- bat, the head of well-known firm of dramatic correspondents, was sitting in an inner room of his office in the Rue Montorgueil, and perusing, with the aid of a confidential clerk, the letters that had arrived by the early post. There were at last twenty of them, bearing the postmarks of various provincial towns; and as each was opened in it's turn, and the wants of the different writers ascer- tained, the agent referred to his books in order to see which of them he was in & position to supply.
 Another tenor for Vieilleville," he said with dry chuckle betokening satisfaction; that makes the third in less than six months. Difficult people to please, the subscribers down there. Viault," he continued, addressing the clerk, what have we got likely to suitP cant call to mind single one."
 Ma fot, Monsieur. replied the lat ter, after moments pause, "nor I. If it were a baritone or bass we could accommodate them easily enough; but a tenor! Stay" he exclaimed, 'there is the man from Rio Janeiro, who was here last week, and wanted thousand francs month!"
 He won't get that" said M. Colom- bat. "Lartigues never gives more than eight hundred. Did you take his name and addressp"
 '1 did," answered Viault, glancing at a ledger before him: Jacques Durand, tell him to callP'
 Do so, and if he accepts I can write to Lartigues by to-night's post. If I remember rightly, this Durand is a queer-looking customer, more like a 'traitre de melodrame' than tenor. However, if it does not happen to fit it Is no affair of mine, and 1 may as we'll pocket the commission as any one else"
 It may safely be presumed that the negotiations between the agent and the candidate for the vacant post at Vieille- vile were satisfactorily concluded, for five or six days later Jacques Durand reached his destination and proceeded at once to report his arrival to the man. ager At the sight of the newcomer NJ. Lartigues, who was engaged in cal culating the amount of profit and loss during the foregoing season, the result to all appearance being the reverse of agreeable, gave an involuntary start.
 'Iroun de Diou" he muttered; "what an Orsini for the Tour de NesleH" Then, recollecting himself and addressing his visitor: Do you wish to see me on business?" he in- quired.
 "A mere matter of form, Monsieur, " was the reply. Allow me to intro duce myself-Jacques Durand, just ar- 1 rived at Vieilleville, and entirely at your service"
 Jacques Durand," echoed the man. ager, staring incredulously at the speaker. Mot the tenor engaged by Colombat?"
 "The same"
 l "Impossible!" cried Lartigues, evil dently mortified by the unprepossessing aspect of the olive-featured, beetle browed individual before him. 'I expected something very different, ir | short"
 Better looking" coolly interruped the new recruit. ''No doubt, but yox might have done worse; \ was very popular at Rio"
 l "Rio isn't Vieilleville," impatient1y retorted the manager, ''as you will find out before you are many days older. Are you aware that we open on Mon. day, and that you arc cast for Arnold in 'Guillaume TellP"
 Suits me perfectly. It is favorite part of mine"
 'Indeedr' said Lartigues, in by nc means confident tone. Well, If were you I wouldn't be so sanguine Our public is apt to be nasty at times
 Il will run my chance of that" care. lessly replied Durand. When do we rehearsep"