Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-12-12
THEATER BOX. FOUR.


touring in the midlands with the legiti-
mate, and success had attended us thus
far. We were booked at T. R. Trever-
ton for six nights, and there opened
with Hamlet" on Monday to full
house.
During the entr acte l had time to
glance round the theater and take stock
of the audience The pit and circle were
filled with respectable tradesmen, arti-
sans and others, while a throng of the
proverbial irrepressible "boys" were
perched, like the sweet little cherub
that sits up aloft, in that region known
to the playgoers as "the gods''
Only one of the boxes was engaged,
and this, No. 4, on the first tier. 1t was
occupied by lady, elegantly dressed,
who, noticed, scrutinized me through
her pince nez and occasionally resorted
to pair of opera glasses.
Whenever was on the stage she had
her eyes on me, and it was matter Of
comment among the company that it
was only when I appeared to recite the
lines set down for me that she appeared
to evince the slightest interest in the
piece.
However, nothing of note occurred.
The curtain fell at the close of the play,
and the house rapidly emptied.
The following morning I was chatting
to Guy Tracey, the acting manager,
when he remarked:
you've evidently caught on here"
''How's that?' I hazarded.
''The lady who occupied box has
been in this morning and booked it for
the entire week.
''She's evidently a devotee to tho
Swan
$50 much the better. if she patron
ICES Thespis to this tune" observed
Tracey.
The subject then dropped, but at the
evening performance the mysterious
lady was at her post, as attentive lis
tener as ever.
On this occasion I took the opportu-
nifty of glauoing at her from the stage
She was decidedly handsome, but there
was a weird, vacant look about her eyes
that was almost supernatural Again
she centered her attentions on myself
and ignored the efforts of my confreres.
Again the badinage in the greenroom
waved fast and furious.
AS I left tho theater that night I
thought I perceived our fair patroness on
the opposite side of the road, but dis
missed the idea as preposterous.
Thursday was fixed for my benefit,
and, as before, the lady was to be seen
in box 4.
''This is getting interesting" 1
thought. 81 wonder who the Mephis-
topheles she is?''
The call boy cut short further medita-
tions, and in few moments I was on
the stage.
Throughout the evening she watched
me closely and more than once applaud
ed vigorously. At the end of the play I
was ''called,' and she then hurled
large bouquet at me.
The affair was growing interesting. l
acknowledged the compliment and re-
tired. I am bound to confess that be-
yond its small intrinsic value the bou-
quet possessed but few charms for me,
and meeting the lady who played Ophe-
liza I handed her the posy, remarking:
Render to Caesar "
She took the floral offering, and in
doing SO dropped a billet doux from be-
tween the buds to the stage.
''FieH' exclaimed little Miss Chester.
Is it thus you value your souvenirs?'
l laughed, picked up the note and re-
tired. My toilet finished, 1 was just
leaving the dressing room when it oc-
CURED to HE the note was still unread
To unfold it was the work of a Sec
ond. It ran as follows:
HOTEL VICTORIA, TREvERToN
"Box A. presents her compliments to the
beneficiare, Mr. -, and will be pleased to see
him at supper this evening. BEBE
This was embarrassing, but | resolved
to carry it into effect, despite the scan
dial likely to arise from the circum-
stances.
Rushing home to my room, hastily
changed my coat for the conventional
abomination of evening dress. This
done, I made my way to the Victoria,
arriving as the cathedral clock was
striking 12
1t was evident my visit was anticipat-
ed, as no sooner had I entered the hall
than waiter queried:
"Mr. -? Yes, sir. Cold night, sir
This way, sir. Room 7. Mind the STEP
sir Skating tomorrow, sir. Mind the
step"
l found the door of room open and
the lady herself standing by it, waiting
in apparently feverish eagerness. Itwas
very hattering.
She saluted me with:
''Ah, mon annie, you are little late,
but I forgive you!'
Z hesitated at the door; but, with q
reassuring smile, she bade me enter and
be seated.
J. did SO and found recherche supper
prepared, but no other guests visible.
While she was engaged in giving her
instructions to the waiter I had an op
portunity of scrutinizing my mysterious
hostess. Apparently about 30 years Of
age and Of commanding appearance, she
conveyed the idea that she was not a
lady to be triied with. A profusion of
let black hair was coiled heavily about