Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-09-29


were playing in roles that he had
filed. He had hesitated before; he
hesitated no more
One morning he abandoned his linen
suit, put on his holiday clothes and
sought the director of the theater. The
latter appeared to be surprised at the
visit, and, learning the motive, raised
his hands with gesture of deprecia-
ton.
'What, Darzincourt at his age wished
to reappear?"
And he noticed the comedian stopped
feebly since he had lived In idle exile
and had accumulated fresh crop of
whiskers Still the prospect of fruit
full evening, on the strength of the
actors reputation, tempted him, and he
had already formed plan announcing
the temperance of the celebrated
DARTMOUTH. %
well, why shouldn't you return to
the stage?" he said
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 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 reappearance,
but the feverish enthusiasm he had
counted on was lacking. He appeared,
little applause saluted him, but it
was not continued. The audience be-
came apathetic. What! was this the
Paramount 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 ordinations of
surprise. The newcomers began openly
TO ridicule. The rest of the company
sulked and gave Darzincourt his cues
reluctantly, until he began to lose his
assurance little by little. He stumbled
in pathetic speech-turneda sentence
into ridicule-the parterre howled.
From that moment every word, every
gesture provoked tempest
Dartmouth felt cold perspiration
gather on his forehead, Around him
in the boxes people were going out,
and he murmured, 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 a 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 filed
with tears. AT last, crushed by his
emotions, he forgot his lines He
stood with mouth wide open, hearing
no more than the derisiye shrieks of
the orchestra or the cat-calls from the
galleries. The failure was decisive;
the play could go nc, further. Entei-
ing his dressing-room the old comedian
tore his hair, Keeling like drunken
man.
you've put us In nice box"
growled the director, who nevertheless
had just pocketed the receipts.
Darzincourt regained his home In "a
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 its
chagrins and notifications he had
need of it.
The handsome Darzincourt of the
past now duplicated and implored the
director; he did not wish to be paid
he only asked to have a small role
given him-a lite, very little role.
From motives of economy they ac-
coded to his request; he was given the
part of servant and he set out to
study it with all the ardor of de.
butante.
When he came in, letter in hand, the
audience, without reason, except that
of cruel joy, began to sing; "Dar-zin'
urt-Dar-zin-court" to popular air.
From balcony to orchestra rang the
derisive sound.
"You see, my poor old man." said the
manager, you are no longer wanted. y
And he, haggard, sinking-having
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
Importance. But they recognized hin
in the midst of the others, and the pub
lie, accustomed to having amusement
at his expense, filled the hall with
/. noise and laughter. 1t was impossible
to allow him to appear now even as q
'supe." The little house at the gate'
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 tn,
theater He was martyr of the stage
He passed his days-in a corner of tn,
wings, having no more the right t.
show himself in the evening, howeve
bumbly. He wasted away, worn b,
sadness and longing, wandering abou
through the dressing-rooms of TIL
artists like an old dog whose huntini