Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-11
AN ACTORS REVENGE.

TO exist between US. All the advantages
worldly and otherwise, were on Arthur
Emerson's side. He had but one rela-
tive, an uncle; but that uncle was rich,
and Emerson was his acknowledged heir.
Arthur was a clever fellow tOo-one who
read thoroughly and thought deeply.
Whatever he said and did, he was al
WAYS in earnest, and every action In his
simple straightforward life would bear
the light of day. He was not much to
look at-just tall strong man with
good honest face that could boast of no
regularity of feature. A gentleman In
the highest sense of the word he I'M
doubtedly was-tender to women, just
and courteous to all. He had, however,
never cultivated that outer polish of
manner which often means so little, and
yet is SO all-powerful in winning the love
of women. I think he liked women's So
ciety-I know he reverenced them-but
ne was not what is vaguely termed a
ladies' man; doubt if he had ever paid
a woman q worthless compliment in his
life, consequently he was not popular
with the sex-and yet what happy fu-
ture lay in store for the woman who
should win and reciprocate Arthur Em-
erson's Lowell
Our lives drifted far apart indeed
Emerson lived with his uncle at Demp-
ster Hall, near Warrenchester, and was
treated by everyone as the heir-presump-
tive Whilst he was leading life OF
gentlemanly ease circumstances forced
me to go upon the stage.
My grandfather and great-grandfather
had both been actors, but my father had
not taken to the profession; nor should l
have chosen a theatrical career had mat
tiers turned out as in my school-days L
had been led to expect they would. Mis-
fortune overlook me, and, as fancled l
had inherited some taste for acting, and
nothing better seemed likely to offer it
self, did my best to turn what little
talent possessed to good account.
did not succeed in forcing my way
on to the boards of London theatre.
All those who have had any experience
in such matters know the difficulties in
the way of one who has no interest, very
little money, and not really striking tai
ents. However, / managed to keep my
head above water as a provincial actor,
and the careless rowing life led was not
altogether distasteful to me.
OF Arthur Emerson / saw but little at
ter l had adopted 1.-The profession" Oc-
casionalIy we correspondent, but we did
not do much more than keep each other
appraised of the leading events in our re-
spective lives at somewhat long intervals.
Some years after had gone upon the
stage however, Mr.. Moss, our manager,
announced his intention of including
Warrenchester in the tour he was then
arranging. So delighted was l at the
prospect of wringing my old school-fel-
lows hand again that | wrote off at once,
advising him of the date on which our
company would arrive, and asking him
to engage a couple of rooms for me In
the town.
Directly had posted the letter I half
regretted had written it. Mr.. Barring
ton-Brown, Emerson's uncle, was, l well
knew. a gentleman of the old school, who
objected to theatres on principle and held
all actors in adherence. Might it not
therefore be rather awkward for Emer-
son to show to strolling player that
friendship which / felt assured he still
entertained for me?
/ was, however, received so heartily by
my old school-fellow that my doubts
were speedily dispelled. l limited to him
some of the misgivings [ had felt, and
he assured me laughingly that had moi
exaggerated his uncle's antipathy to the
stage and all appertaining to it.
"But what will the worthy old gentle
man say to our being seen about the town
together? Before L have been on the
boards couple of nights the people vii
nudge each other and whisper, There
goes Carl Cliffordr That's the worst o.
being before the public-one can never
walk along the streets with any comfort.
"My dear fellow, have the creates
respect for my uncle; but still l have
never constituted and never can consti
L aNTN
science-keeper. So, if it's all the same
to YOU, we won't let his d-fashionet
fads interfere with our plans. The onl,
thing is, | can't very well ask you t.
Dempster Hall; but that you'll under
stand. With this one exception, my un
cle's absurd notions needn't make an,
difference between you and me-"
Emerson had always taken great in
terest in the theatrical world. In TIL
various plays we had attempted at schoo
he invariably displayed great dramati
power-in fact, he was a born actor
Latterly he had studied the Greek dram
to good purpose, and found he possesse,
far more knowledge of the history of tn
stage than any man [ had ever met, ever
IN the profession itself.
OF course my old school-fellow secure,
stall for our opening night; and l mus
confess felt a bit nervous as / plaYe
my part, for Emerson was very sever,
critic, and / was naturally anxious t
win his approval However, everything
passed off well, and he protested himsel
highly delighted with the performance
After the first night he filled stall i
our little theatre every evening. At frs
was gratifed, for l imagined him to b
attracted by my acting. Certainly, when
L oh RI Crlo Il
l never caught him looking at me; bu
this l attributed to delicate desire no
TO cause me embarrassment. We actor
are generally very ready to credit other
with being deeply impressed by our per
formances: still there is limit even t
our conceit; and, when / saw Emerso
witnessing the fifth consecutive repre-
sentation of Hamlet, | began to thin
that something besides my fine renderin
of the melancholy Dane might posSibl
be attracting him. / did not want to &C
the spy, SO l made up my mind that
would ask him straight out why he cam
SO often, and, if he did not choose to te
me, would let the matter drop an
think no more about it.
| found him quite willing to take m
into his confidence, although he wa
rather shy of discussing the subject. Fl
DStQ ldll6u III IONS WIFI Lily montgomery
our leading lady.
'You in love, and with Lizzie SMITH
exclaimed. 1t was surprise, not ill-ns
ture, which prompted me to speak of tn
lady by her own somewhat plebeia,
name. Only on the bills was she know
as Miss Lily Montgomery.
''You look surprised, old fellow! Hav
you anything to say against my choice?
''Your choicei You surely can't mea
to tell me it has come to that?"