San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-02
MY DEBUT AS A VILLAIN.

tragedy, The Dripping Dagger, or the
Maiden Martyr of Tankville, at Willow
town, on Tuesday night, when suddenly
our heavy villain absconded, taking with
him $3.50, the entire amount in the treas
ury of the concern! What was to be
done about it? 1t was too late to ad
vertise for another heavy villain; and,
besides, there were very few Of them in
the states at that time, because the small
pox was not raging in Montreal. We
had a consultation, and decided that
something must be done. | suggested
that, as last resort, the part of the vii
lain might be left out, and the heroine
might make away with herself
at the proper time; but as there
really did not seem to be any
reason why she should commit sui
eide ii the circumstances, we concluded
that it might dctract from the impressive
ness and destroy the unity of the play,
and that on the whole my suggestion was
not just the 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 pTl-
vided that should be exempt from his
t2iOnic duties, and, furthermore, that !
knew had no talent whatever for acting,
and might become embarrassed and forget
my part, or do something else equally
as unfortunate. But she persisted that |
was just the man for villain-cut out
for the part, as it 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 i'll tone that
would rot be heard by the audience.
Well, the re,Ult was that the fair hero
iHc-to who's" charms was not altogether
bl;nd-i?a,'&i upon ne, and against my
better Judgment | consented to take the
part Of the villain.
devoted four days to committing the
part t. TT y. tLAn rclelIs1I ter the
first time with the company, in costume,
and succeeded in getting as far as the
stabbiuG scene without losing my cue
Here | could not remember whether the
victim slIiplicd first or l. in deep bass
tones, exclaimed: Aha. diSdainfUl one
prepare to die" The result was that we
both gave utterdnCo to Our emotions at
the SAM time, creating a very undrama-
tic hubbuO. 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 re-
hearSal went of better still. We had time
for inst one more rehearsal before our ap-
pcarLucc at WillowtOwn; but this re-
hca"sal, strange to say, vas not aS good
(aS far as / wdo COnCerneuJ as the second.
On Tuesday we took the afternoon
train for WillOwtOwn. | was rather ner
vous all the way down, but the
rest of the company cheered me up and
assured me tildt the inspiration of ap
pearing before an audience would take all
my trepidation away. Thus encouraged,
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 our
selves, we went Immediately to 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 stamp
ing of feet and whistling among the audi
ence warned us that it was time for the
curtain to go up, we gave the signal to
the Shifter, and burst upon TIE assembled
p0pulaCe in all our splendor. | should
state, however, that before our splendor
became 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 puinted haycocl-which,
taken in connection with the harvest
scene, ofwhich it formed a part, was we'll
enough, of course, but was rather incOn-
gruous, 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 il a sort of dark lantern fashion,
wrapped in mystery and a long black
cloak, introduce myself to the audience in
a few half audible and occult remarks to
one of the actresses and then disappear
as abruptly as | had come, by well exc
cuted and rapid backward movement, as
though had melted mysteriOusly into the
gathering twilight. had performed this
feat very successfully at all the rehear
sails, and thought | 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 | came upon the stage, dark, satur-
nine, forbidding, with one corner of my
cloak thrown over my left shoulder, a
hush of awe fell upon the assembled audi
dience. My heart swelled with triumph,
and | felt the inspiration of which my
fellow actors had spoken thrilling to my
very finger tips. The lady to whom was
to address my mysterious remarks started
and cringed as appeared suddenly before
her. The sepulchral sentences were
spoken. raised my hand warningly and
began to melt away in the twilight; but,
alas! had miscalculated the location of
the opening through which was to evap-