The morning call., 1893-03-12
One Kind Of French Leave.

There was a theater on Sansome street a
good many years ago-tbe American Thea
ter, corner of Halleck-owned by General
Nagee, the same worthy citizen who has
given such a reputation to California bran
dies. Mrs. John Wood. the famous London
actress. managed this -theater at one time
and it was here she introduced the Land
sisters, Belle and Agnes, fresh from Aus
tralia, to the American public Agnes, who
was married three times, is now playing
under the name of Mrs. Agnes Booth. Belle
the handsOmer Of the two, is dead. This by
tie way.
1t was at the American Theater, during
Mrs. No0d's managerial term, that a COM
pGnY OF Partisan players also gave perform
ances-Once week, on Sunday nights, for
the delectation of the French colony, more
numerous at that time than al present, and
for the benefit of such Americans as were
eEdeavOrlng to master the court language
of Europe" The incident about to be Te-
lated is anent two members of this CON-
panY, the principals OF which were NJ.
Ihierry, NJ. Bonnet, NJ. GeoFget and Miles.
BaNangy and LeOntine. Pretty vaudevlles,
cumedlettas. scenas and burlesques OF
classical stories were produced by the
French company, the neatest and newest
things from the lesser Paris theaiers. sun
day was en otf-uig light at the local American
theaters, and the actors used to resort to
The theater at the corner OF Sansome and
Halleck to study the hnesse Of the French
stage, particularly the comedy Of Bonnet
acknowledged to be without peer in his
time.
The auditorium of the American was
always full on the French night" Still
there seemed to be plentiful lack Of coin.
A weekly prrformanee-as cur German
Company have no doubt just found out-was
not profitable.
50 the uncomfortable shadow Of debt fell
On the unfortunate French players. Par
tlcuiaTly on G-orget and Therry. They
We're more heavily ObScnred than any Of the
others, because they lived high on a low
income. l. was a way they had. The
shifts 10 which these brothers IN misfortune
were reduced reminded one of the pecuniary
embaTrassments Of the London PLAYERS a
century aud half ago, as related by DIR.
Doran IN his History of The English Stage"
TINS IS the prologue 10 the comedy that
fGilawed.
The company was disbanded, and
Ihierry and GeOrget were left to study
how they could best get cut Of town. But
their wits seemed to work slowly, although
Sam Harding, the most persistent and eff
cient collection agent Of the time, was at
their heels.
Steamer day came-ihe time when Pa
citic Mail steamship made a fOrtnightly de-
paTtuTe for Panama, the trAn-isthmian
route to New York-and the watchful
Harding with several assistants was at the
Mail dock on a keen lookout for departing
delinquent debtors. The dock was crowded,
as 1t was always on such occasions, with
idlers, sightseers and friends OF passengers.
Through this motley assemblage hack
drove rapidly down the wharf to the gang
way, where the vigilant Harding had sta
toned himself. From The vehicle there
stepped q fashionaby dressed lady, accom-
panied by a maid-seTvant. Both wore
demi-veils, the servant, OF course, being less
richly attiTed than her mistress. Harding
was noted for his politeness. There was
crowd gathering about the newcomers. The
LADY turned an appealing look on Harding
AID said!
EFF you please" at the same time indi-
eating the press Of people.
Harding understood and was aroused in
moment.
Clear the way for the ladies'" he shouted.
pushing back the intruders. Then he offered
his arm to the timid and trem bling women,
and gallantly assisted them up the gang
plank. When he returned TO his post there
was pleased air about him, such as man
might wear when conscious that he had dis
charged his duty.
The time for the departure Of the steamer
arrived. The gong sounded ''all ashore"
20 those who were not going. and minute
or two later the stately vessel slowly swung
of from the wharf. Harding drew hack To
take final look at the crowd of passengers
on deck who were gazing their last on
Frisco; the air was full of farewells and
oranges. just then he noticed 5Wo men in
the passenger line on deck making signs 10
attract his attention, and when they found
they had gained it there came borne on the
bay breeze these words:
''Adieu. Monsieur Hardeeng adeu. Some
O,hair time we Will see you. Monsieur Har-
deeng."
Harding became excited, but il was too
late.
by the big boot on Chatham street," he
exclaimed, There are the two Frenehmen ]
wanted. How in the name Of heaven did
they get on board without my notice? But
they've slipped through my fingers, sure
enough"
Harding did not know at the time, but he
found 1t ont later, that the Two women he
so ofiiciOusly assisted up the steamers gang
plank were Messrs. Thierry and Georgef,
whom he had hunted high and low for
weeks. A few sympathizing compatrlots
had pooled in aud purchased tickets for
them, and the wardrobes of Ballangy and
Leontine. together with their own exQuis-