Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-05-13

ADAPTED BY r. r

If your father were to have theatre
he would play every night, as he old
when you were little. You do not ren1em-
Der it, but he Inade IN immense success
ut Yarmouth. Ali how bright and hand
come he was in those days! But mis-
fortune has sadly changed him. And yet
/ feel that little happiness and freedom
from care would make Linn quite young
again. At Yarmouth the manager had
carriagei inst think Of our having a car
riagel 1t would b. such Il god thing for
you, my dear; you could go out every day,
and drive into the country; yon could see
the trees, and fields"
Tie little lame girl drew long breath.
at this moment the door below shut vio-
lently, and Mr.. De Lacy's heavy step was
heard on the staircase. The two women
dared not look at each other.
The poor fellow had certainly received
fearful blow The humiliation of re-
fusal, the ridicnle Of Lis associates, the
debts that he had incurred at various
public-houses, all weighed upon his mind
as he slowly mounted the long fights of
stairs. His heart was nearly broken, but
the dramatic instinct was so strong In his
nature that he could not tell his tale OF
woe in natural manner.
He entered, looked at the table covered
with work, at his little supper in the cor
ner, at the two anxious faces. Then he
took three steps forward, waited full
minute-and you know at the theatre if
minute Of silence is not loug-and then fell
ON chair, clasping his hands over his
heart.
eThe curse of Cain is upon mep he
Kissed between his set teeth; and he gave
the table tremendous thump with his
closed hand-so violently that the little
birds AID beetles few into the four cor
ners of the room.
His terrified wife flew to his side, while
Dora half rose from her chair in mute dis
tres.
The actor then threw back his head,
permitted his arms TO fall limp and life
less at his side, while he poured forth E
dismal mOnOlogue, interspersrd with signs
and groans, by threats and inprecatioas
against the selfish UPSTAIRS for whose ben
eft the artist yielded hia very blood.
Then he lightly sketche nis whole career !;
the triururHs IF his deJat, his successes at
Yarmouth, his marriage to that ''sainted
woman"-aud ne pointer q trembling
finger TO the poor wife, VINO bathed in
tears, nodded a weak assent to each of her
huslaud'- propositions. He recalled his
arrival n London, and dwclt on his misery
and plivatious. Alas! he had not endured
many, as anyone could see who turned
from the picture he presented Of we'll
dressed comfort to the two pale creatures
at his side.
"Ahn he continued, for fifteen years /
have fought and struggled; for fifteen
years / have Owed every mouthful / have
swallowed TO the cXcrtiOns Of these two
angels"
"Dnar fafherp' cried Dora pcadingly.
"lcs, every mouthful! Nor am
ashamed TO confess it, since the sacrifices
that they have made have been laid on the
altar Of my sacred Art. But now all is
over; l renouuce my vocation!
HIS wife uttered little Shrek.
..'"rc" she cried, what are you FAY
ing
leave me to my miscry!" he answered,
in scpulchral tones. MY strength is
gone Fate Is too cruel. can endure
this unequal contest no lOnccrg"
1t was pathetic a. soc those two women
imploring hi!n. with tears and embraces,
TO still cherish the hopes that had been
his sole Joy. Could you have heard them
to entreat him TO have courage and
struggle yet q little longer, you would
have wept with them.
at last he made the concession, and
promised them not TO despair, nor take
any desperate steps; and quarter of az
hour later our comedian was seated ut the
table, eating his supper with IN excellent
appettc--au appetite improved possibly
by his exertious and by the sympathy OF
his little audience.
The only Indications Of the stormy hour
he had passed were to be found in GER
oil tran
dams who have played long and fatgu-
ing rote.
Dors. and her mother. however, paid Il
heavier penalty, for they never closed
their eyes until daybreak.