The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-04-11

4
The Bullseye, which would make It's appear
ance the following week, and which had, as
usual, been started to fill the not particularly
noticed void We're all full up with the
exception OF the dramatics, and, Teddy, my
boy you're the very man! know you have
ideas Of your own about the way that sort
of thing should be done, and here's the OPP
portunity. Between us, we will make the
paper the biggest 20 in London
"What EASTWOOD said was true. had
long possessed secret yearnings that way.
which I had at times confided to Charlie
For o moment considerations OF prudence
came to my aid, and / ventured the mild
suggestion Of doubtas to whether was
quite fitted for that line of work.
"'Nonsense, my boy! said Charlie; 4
know your proper CAPACITY. You're sure
to make hit It was curious fact that
Charlie possessed the most remarkable in
tuitive faculty for discovering everybody's
proper capabilities except his own.
"'Besides.' he added, think of Lizzie.'
"That settled 1t. Without further ado
closed with the offer, and fortnight later
saw me installed as dramatic critic of The
Bullseye, with the title of that publication
inscribed on my cards underneath that Of
The Blunderer. The plan of operation I
proceeded to act upon was this: had long
had wholesome contempt for that class of
dramatic critics forever hanging round
stage doors and hotel bars, and drinking
with managers and actors, SO l. resolved to
set an example in the opposite direction by
keeping religiously aloof from all associa-
ton with the PROFESSIONALISM one excep-
ton. This was Lizzie, who insisted on re-
ceiving her little paragraph OF two or three
lines regularly every week, and with whom
Ispent each Sunday afternoon and evening
at her fathers place in Twickenham, whittier
he had retired to spend the rest of his days,
free from the smoke Of ALLOCATE and the
cares Of the grocery business. There had
once been some talk Of Mr. Loydall, q
huge, beetle-browed. hoarse-voiced ira
gedian, who played heavy lead to Lizzie's
Juveniles at the Olympian, but he soon found
out that he had no chance with me, and
after one or two tussels retired from the
battle, leaving me to walk over the course
at my leisure
"As you will guess, matters were pretty
we'll settled between Lizzie and me, and we
obtained old Rayburn's consent to our mar
rage whenever the Blunderer's manage
ment should recognize my merits sufficiently
to advance my salary, and to enable me to
take Lizzie away from the stage The Bulls
eye, contrary to everybody's expectations
everybody, that is, outside the Office
showed signs of becoming a pronounced
success. Ny dramatic criticisms were soon
one of the leading features Of the journal.
had always had notion that the wither-
ing. sarcastic style of writing was best
suited to me- and this was the line took, with
such effect that at times it became difficult
to find out whether had been praising or
stating piece or an actor. Some people
were unkind enough to say that they would
prefer the latter process to the former.
Needless to say that, as the power and in
fuence of the paper increased, / soon be-
came an object of hatred and dread to the
whole profession. This only tickled my
vanity the more, and would strut along
Fleet street and the Strand Of a morning
meeting the scowl of passing pros with a
stare Of superci>ious Indifference.
Zone night, entering my club at the usual
hour, just before starting for the Lorne
Theater, where new piece, entitled For
Life or DEATH was to be produced that
evening. l found telegram lying for me
in the rack. 1t was from Lizzie's mother
telling me that Lizzie had been seized with
dangerous illness that very morning, and
begging that l would proceed to the house
at once. For moment was in serious
that night yet IL was imperative that
should attend the first nights show at the
Lorne, having for that special occasion un-
dertalxen The Blunderer's special notice in
place of the regular man, who was absent
through indisposition.
'"Then an idea struck me as l caught sight
of Scrubby, the dramatic critic of the
Scorcher, at the other end of the room,
already preparing to leave Scrubby was a
reliable man, knew, aud the best available
for the purpose had in my mind. Crossing
over to where he was, I showed him the
telegram, and explained my difficulty.
"Nothing easier, my boy he exclaimed,
clapping me on the back. Trust to- me-
Pm going down to the show, and will leave
you programme here, marked with my
notes, on my way to the Office. If you're
back here by half-past ten, you'll find it
| waiting. Then you can scribble your
notices for the two papers from my notes
and send them in the usual way
.'Warmly shaking him by the hand, ! &C.
copied his offer, and fastened awHJ to
Twickenham. When l reached tho house 1
found my darling already delirious in the
first stages of high fever and calling for
me- remained by her side, holding her
hand in mine and soothing her as best I
doze. Then stole quietly away, whisper
ing to Mrs. Rayburn that I would return as
soon as my business in town was concluded.
"When got back to the club l found as
I expected, the programme lying in the
| rack, inside an envelope addressed to me.
Scrubby's analysis of the production, play
and acting, was distinctly unfavorable, his
marginal notes having such a bitterly acrid
flavor that concluded it must all have been
very bad indeed; and so followed suit with
good interest, cutting up everything and
everybody concerned in the most unfserci-
full manner. The notices written, I put
them into separate envelopes, the one ad-
dressed to The Blunderer, the other to The
Bullseye, and sent them to the offices by the
club messenger. This done, 1 went back to
Twickenham.
"Returning to the town the following
morning, almost the first person met was
Charlie Eastwood. made to speak to him
when, to my utter bewilderment he stopped
me short with motion of his hand, looked
me full in the face, and slowly drew copy
of that mornings Bullseye from his pocket
Opening it, he pointed to my criticism: OF
the production of For Life or DEATH at the
Lorne Theater, and held it up close to my
eyes, then, deliberately turning his back
upon me, passed on without uttering syl.
liable. stared after him in a kind of daze
as he rapidly disappeared. What on earth
could he mean? What could he be driving
at? In all my experience Of him had never
known him to act so strangely. Gould he
be going of his head, or was 1 going of
mine, or what?
IF wanted an explanation had not long
to wait for one. AS entered the Office, the
hall-k soper handed me letter, the super
scription of which Recognized as that of the
editor. Iopened the letter with an unac-
countable trembling at the finger-tips. What
l found inside was a check for three months
salary, with the notification to the effect
that in consequence Of my great success in
having that morning made The Blundere,
the laughing stock of all London, the pro
prietors considered it due recognition of my
talents that should not enter the Office
again. For explanation was referred tc
the enclosed cuttings from that days daily
newspapers. lifted one of the slips from
out of the envelope, and what then met m,