The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-15

Radiant with the idea of again filling
this dingy hall with his sonorous
speeches, the old actor began to dis
cuss the piece. He didn't need any re-
hearsals, of course; lie had played the
part so often! With the JOY of a child
he sought the costume room, tried on
again the clothes he had worn more
than hundred times, requested that a
few changes be made, and passed the
day in consultation with the hair
dresser and costumer of the theater.
Not wig pleased him; he ordered a
new one. A nervous 'gayety possessed
him; he could have turned somersaults.
The advertisement produced it's effect
When the time came the hall was
crowded to witness his temperance.
but the feverish enthusiasm he had
counted on was lacking. He appeared,
a little applause saluted him, but it
was not continued. The audience be-
came apathetic. What! was this the
DARTMOUTH that had charmed them in
other days? Why, the poor fellow was
grotesque! He felt disconnected, but
not alarmed. Since his departure they
had missed the fire of the old school of
acting; he would show them what it
was!
The old patrons of the theater whom
he knew uttered little EXPLANATIONS of
surprise. The newcomers began openly
to ridicule. The rest of the company
sull1ed and gave Dartmouth his cues
reluctantly, until he began to lose his
assurance little by little. He stumbled
in d pathetic speech-turneda sentence
into ridicule- the parterre howled.
From that moment every word, every
gesture provoked tempest.
Dartmouth felt a cold perspiration
gather on lis forehead. Around him
in the boxes people were going out,
and he nurmured, pale with anger:
''Ingrates! Ingrates!'
At that point in the play where he
was to fall-in faint after reading the
letter-he could not get up until ma
chinist was sent to help him. Then the
Kisses rose like storm. Such an OPP
portunity to have fun was infrequent
in this quiet town, and the crowd set
up an awful racket. But Darzincourt
persisted, though his eyes were filled
with tears. At last, crushed by his
emotions, he forgot his lines. He
stood with mouth wide open, hearing
no more than the derisive shrieks of
the orchestra or the cat-calls from the
galleries. The failure was decisive;
the play could go no further. Enter
l. I, Ill
tore his hair, Keeling like drunken
man.
You've put us in nice box"
growled the director, who nevertheless
had just pocketed the receipts.
DARTMOUTH regained his home in
crushed condition. A whole life of
glory to end in this fatal defeat: Still
dressed he lay down on the bed and re-
viewed the horrible evening. No! he
would not allow himself to be beaten.
He would fight again. Could he leave
the theater forever? Even with it's
chagrins and notifications he had
need of it.
past now supplicated and implored the
director; he did not wish to be paid
he only asked to have small role
given him-a little. very little role
From motives of economy they &C
coded to his request; he was given the
part of servant and he set out to
study it with all the ardor of a de-
butante.
When he came in, letter in hand, the
audience, without reason, except that
of cruel JOY, began to sing; 'Dar-zin-
to a popular air.
From balcony to orchestra rang the
derisive sound.
'You see, my poor old man." said the
manager, you are no longer wanted"
And he, haggard, STRENGTHENING
tasted again the intoxication of the
theater, asked himself in desperation
what was to become of him from the
footlights.
After that he asked only permission
to be supernumerary-ma of the peo-
pie, archer of the palace. noble without
But they recognized him
in the midst of the others, and the pub
lie, accustomed to having amusement
at his expense, filed the hall with
noise and laughter. 1t was impossible
to allow him to appear now even as a
''supe." The little house at the gates
of the town still smiled beneath its bur-
den of clematis and fresh green vines,
but he, came there no more.
All his life was bound up in the
theater. He was martyr of the stage!
He passed his days In a corner of the
wings, having no more the right to
show himself in the evening. however
humbly. He wasted away, worn by
sadness and longing, wandering about
the dressing-rooms of the
artists like an old dog whose hunting
days are over, but whom no one will
turn away. One night the manager ap-
preached him with cruel smile.
Look here" he said, "we are going to
put on a new piece. In the third act
the barking of a dog is heard in the
wings You be the dog, will you?'
Dartmouth took his extended hand
in his, trembling with joy, his face
TRANSPORTED, as he stammered out his
thanks.
"A role." he cried; 81 shall have an
other roler'-Short Stories.
The Latest Dodge queer thing
to me the other night" said
Adolphus. Il was out in the suburbs
five miles away from home and hadn't
a farthing in my pocket" Went home
Nl,C1 Oh -