St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-11-11
HIS LAST ROLE.

HIS LAST ROLE.
story OF the Rise and Fan Of q
Actor.
The curtain had already been raiset
three times and still tho applause va,
prolonged. They were compelled 4
raise 1t again. Darzincourt, his lef
hand pressed against his heart. hi.
right holding several gilt lanrel crowns
bowed, while his eyes filled with teara
The braves increased to . storm: he
wanted to say something to express his
thanks to the public, but the old come.
dian could only open his lips and utter
. mumbling sound lie was overcome;
his emotions were too deep to clothe in
words
Canes beat on the floor with . furiou.
noise. The entire theatcr shook with
the sound. Again and again did the
ushers pass up to the stage paper palm
branches bearing ribbons on which the
principal roles of the actor were
printed Meanwhile rs Darziucour,
stood in the midst Of the company that
had supported him the stage manager
left the group and embraced him In the
name of the crowd At the same time
he placed one of the crowns on his
head The crown. far too large, slipped
down to his shoulders but what ot
that?-the scene was beautiful
1t was on this tablcau and amid fresh
and furious applause that the curtain
descended, leaving Darzincourt to take
on his crown and receive the felicita.
tions of his comradeA
Never before in that provincial city
had . similar manifestation been made
over retiring actor, and as he was TO
leave the stage permanently there was
no jealousy among his fellows. So he
retired to the Cafe de Ia Comcdie, where
= second ovation awaited him. and the
fragrant smoke from the punch bowls
On the marble tables received the en-
thusiasm of those who pressed for
ward to do him honor. And there
were toasts without number, you may
be sure.
The old habitucs OF the theater re-
preached him for leaving them % soon.
''Why, II one p!eases the public, one il
always young"
And he, rubbing his chin, that had
been shaved for more than half . CEN
tury, was obliged to defend his retire
ment. His hair was white; he was
too rheumatic to kneel gracefully in the
love scenes Rcsides, he made his
mark. his life bad been passed ON the
boards Well he needed repose. he
wanted to see the real country instead
of faded canvas. He had dreamed Of .
little farm-s little garden where he
could smoke his pipe In peace to the
end of his days 1t was time to think
of himself; he had given enough Of his
life to the public. And it was amusing
to hear him speak of his farming prof.
ects, seated there In the costume Of
Louis XIV, with the makeup" still on
his face. which in the heat Of the cafe
Rlistened in oily lines.
At last 1he manager, with his majes-
tic gravity, and also moved BY the
libations he had taken during that af-
fecting cvcling.. declared that thcee
was no telling what the future might
bring forth. Who could say that Darz-
incourt w0ald not come back somc
day? But the latter shook his head.
No' his decision had been made; he
wanted now to enjoy the luxury Of do
ing nothing.
Two days afterward Darzincourt, in
stalled in his little house. his head COW
cred with b large straw hat, wearing
. linen suit and wooden shoes. began
to water his 1ewers In -the midst Of .
broiling sun. while chatting with the
little servant maid.
''But you osssht 70 wait tillsvening."
she said 'They will perish"
'Bah!" he smiled FLOWERS are like
women You can't show them too
much attention"
From that time . delicious life began
for him In the peace Of his rustic home.
He thought with horror of the rehoars-
ais of other days of the constant
Of costumes and parts to be
learned, and shivsred at the remem-
brance of those sceues which called for
nervous action. A year Of peaceful
pleasure followed He was very happy.
and why not? he kept asking himself
agsin and aGain-ao often, in fact,
that he began todoul.t Il be felt % sim
cerely.
This hppipess q the bottom was
Vet no was not willing
20 ackndhvlsdke that ennui had crept
into that pretty little house which he
had longed for 70 much. and the more
he assured himself that he needed
themore he saw that the days
that dragged by we're abominsbly void
and dull ~, .-,
To-day. seated In IN arbor taking his
coffee. he allowed his pipe to 60 out -
he read over some old plays, OCCASION
ally pausing to cxclaim - he came TO
Bomc familiar role: "Ah. was great
in that" And the old memories Of the
past that he thoaght were buried came
to the present and sang . siren song in
his earA All, the music of applause
the shouts and braves that set the
lights trembling after an impassioned
speech! And the little servant coming
70 remove the dishes surprised him
standing there flushed Of face, his hsirs
blowing ip the 6esse. apostrophixinG
IN imaSipsry peesona8a. i t.>s =
..Ah. monsieur le comte-st last we
lre f.ce to facer'
"A count here! Where Is this count
Of yourx?" ..,.-ss 49,
And the girl laughed till the tears
ran down her cheeks
oh, these old habits that We can
never ky sside! One fine day Darzin-
,ourt was forced tu acknowledge that
he regretted the theater Well yes.
whv not? One cannot live On the
l,,err3s nth inuunitv and not ou1ber