The Forrest City times., 1893-09-22
HIS LAST ROLE.
Story of the Rise and Fall of an
 Actor.

The curtain had already been raised three times and still the applause was prolonged They were compelled to raise it again. Darzincourt his left hand pressed against his heart, his right holding several gilt laurel crowns, bowed. while his eyes filled with tears. The bravos increased to a 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 a mumbling sound. He was overcome: his emotions were too deep to clothe in words
 Canes beat on the floor with a furious noise. The entire theater shook with the sound. Again and agaln did the ushers pass up to the stage paper palm branches bearing ribbons on which the principal. roles of the actor were printed. Meanwhile as Darzincourt 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 of that?--the scene was beautiful. It was on this tableau and amid fresh and furious applause that the curtain descended, leaving Darzincourt to take off his crown and receive the felicita- tions of his comrades.
 Never before in that provincial city had similar manifestation been made over a 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 la COmedie, 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 nay be sure.
 The old habtues of the theater re- preached him for leaving them so soon. Why, if one pleases the public, one is 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 llneel gracefully in the love scenes Resides, he made his mark. his life had been passed on the boards We'll, he needed repose. He wanted to see the real country instead of faded canvas. He had dreamed of a little farm-a little garden where he could smoke his pipe in peace to the end of his days. It 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 XV., with the makeup" still on his face, which in the heat of the cafe plistened in oily lines.
 At last the manager, with his majes- tic gravity, and also moved by the libations he had taken during that af- fecting evening, declared that there was no telling what the future might bring forth Who could say that Darz- ipcourt would not come back some day? But the latter shook hls head. Nol 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 cov- cred with large straw hat, wearing linen suit and wooden shoes. began to water his flowers in the midst of a broiliug sun, while chatting with the little servant maid
 But you ought to wait till evening, y 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.