The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-24
pcIore the ma rehearsal was worth moro

than one more going over the opera.
Ten a. m. Monday found every body who
should be present on the stage of the Folly
theater. The customary "20 minutes
grace" was uncalled for. Every one felt
so deep an interest in the new production
and had so much pride in doing the best
for their fellow managers and directors
opera that, us tho low comedy man said,
"They sat up all night to be on time and
would have come OF crutches, except that
that might suggest a lame performance"
"The Waysido Inn" was bound to be "a
great 60" so everybody said.
The orchestra got n good grasp upon the
note A-.that. is to say, every member of
the BANG put his instrument in tune.
The scene for act / of ''The Wayside
Inn" was set, and Henley said in a low
voice, standing in front of Kenyon's desk,
81 think we're all ready, Corbett." Ken
yon raped his men to attention and held
his baton aloft. A lad came to Henley's
side and touched his arm, and the baton
slowly descended. "Well, what is it, Viii
liamsS" sharply asked Henley.
81 don't think Miss Blanville is here,
sir, F" replied the callboy.
Henley said afterward that SO far MS
temperature was concerned the call boys
words prepared him for arctic exploration
in just two seconds. He was outwardly
calm, however, and seemed careless in his
remark:
"All right, We'll have to wait n few min
utes then. She's got five minutes more of
grace anyhow" looking at his watch. He
did not need even the five minutes, for a
messenger boy appeared and handed him
n letter. lie tore the envelope open and
read as follows;
MONDAY MORNING.
To Forbes Henley, Esq, Stage Manager Folly
Thcater:
DEAR SIR beg toinclose the herewith dr.'s
certificate, witch will show you | can't sing to-
night. Maybee | shan't smoke no more ciga-
%rettes, anyway in your theater. yours truly.
ROSE BLANvILLE.
Miss Blanville was a better singer than
a speller.
The inrlosure was as follows:
This is to certify that, being professionally
cnlledi in yesterday Sunday by Miss Rose Blan-
vile, find her suffering with acute bronchitis.
1t would probably cause the loss of her voice
should she attempt to sing for several weeks
to come, and in my professional capacity |
have forbidden her to use her voice until |
give her permission so TO do.
FRANCIS A. CLARRIDGE, NJ. D..
"It's a lieP' said Henley hoarsely. He
paused only a moment and then turned to
the assembled company, each man, woman
and child of which had seen something
was "gone wrong" and said in a steady
but very precise manner of speech:
Ladies' and gentlemen, l regret to say
that have a Doctors certificate here an
%nouncing the sudden illness of Miss Blan-
vile. The rehearsal is postponed for one
hour, if you please, while the management
Mr.. Kenyon and myself-consult as to
what will be done in the emergency.
Please do me the favor not to speak of the
matter about town yet awhile. Everything
may come out all right. l rely upon your
corporation"
There was a murmur which seemed q
ground swell of pity and commiseration for
their stage manager, and the men were
ugly in their remarks about that $50 and
so" Blanville, and the women said, "What
a shame!' etc, for no one believed a par
ticle in Miss Blanville's illness. The peo-
pie were slowly departing when Constance
Marriott came down stage and stood before
She said in u quiet, confident way:
"Mr. Henley, wish you would call the
people back"
Miss Marriott, this is no time for pleas
antry. hardly expected it of YOU" re-
joined the stage manager, with an empha-
on the "you."
Pardon me, Mr.. Henley If you will
only try me, | know l can sing every note
Of Miss Blanville's part. l think | can act
it, with n little help, for I've watched the
business carefully''-
"Wait a minuto!' cried Henley, his face
ablaze with hope. He called at the top of
his voice: "Please don't go, ladies and
gentlemen! Remain where you are Just a
momentl' Everybody took a position as
If for a tableau, aud all looked at Con-
Marriott and Forbes Henley. "Now
90 on" said he to the quondam chorus
girl.
"Only this" continued Miss Marriott.
Il feared Mfys Blanville would disappoint
you, and with my mothers help I've learn |
I'd the music of the part she was to play. |
You can try me. 1t will do no harm, and |
If succeed you need not postponeth e open
Before Henley could reply Kenyon, who
was never heard before or after to utter n
word, shouted out to the stage
manager:
"Forbes, I've heard every word she's
'aid. and by II think she can do it.
She shall have "A try anyhow" And he rap.
ped his men to attention again.
Henley said; "We1l begin the rehearsal,
please. Attention, every onel Placesl
Act /. OF you go, Corbettp'
The overture went with n snap and dash
md needed not a word of correction. The |
chorus, too, seemed to be sung
than ever before, and everything
vent swimmingly till the entrance of
race Damal-the role of the prima don
IA. lien Constance entered, came down
,tage for her opening number, n beautiful, |
rather pathetic song. Kenyon stood
up 1T his desk and whispered to her:
Take your own timel Sing confidently
Trust to mel I'll help you outl"
She didn't need a bit of help-not a bit.
True, at first her voice trembled Just q tri-
lie, but Henley whispered, "Don't be
all right" And her tones
anne out clear as a bell. That girl had
'een taught the right way to produce a
lote. In heavens name, what had such a
'olce been doing in n chorusS
Kenyon smiled, sat down, and albeit
Watching Constance closely showed he had
10 fear or hesitation.
The solo ended, the rehearsal stopped.
t was no use. 1t could not go on. The
company burst into a shout of ap-
'lause, and as for Henley and Kenyon the
after had jumped upon the stage right
'ver the footlights and held C~onstance's
lands in his, shaking them up and down
IS if they were rattles and he a big
ably. Henley-well, Henley kissed her,
le did, and then, looking like n fool, said,
fine myself $50, but it's worth it," It
vas quite awhile before the assemblage got
,ack to its united senses.
Why, Miss Marriott's voice was infinite
y purer and better than the absent Blan-
lies, She felt the music and made you
eel it too. Sing' She sang the proverbial