The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-31
A SERIOUS JOKE.

Cldlmeu uAO oOubioooo, ASA 49, Q
with mischief
"Pray don't do it, spoke up the first
old woman of the company. "A JOKE ls
sometimes very serious thing"
"But what's the harm?" persisted the
streak of sunshine, dancing about the
greenroom and shaking her blond curls
ssI might tell you story" said the cid
erly actress in a hesitating sort OF a way.
"Well, if you might, you willF' ex-
claimed Miss Mischief, dancing to her side
and declaring IF there is anything that i!
am fond of it is flowers and candy and
newspaper taffy and stories"
"Oh, we all like a good notice" observe
the old lady.
"Look here, now," warned the petite
sprite, slook out that you keep to your
lines. l must have that story, and as for
good notices I have read them in your
great big scrapbooks and wondered and
wondered why you are not rich and retired
instead of having to play hateful, dread
full old women when you are so good and
sweet"
4 A sad expression passed over the face OF
the old actress as she let drop the remark:
ssNIy child, that is part of the storyH'
"Then must hear it! You will tell me,
won't your
"On two conditions, first, that you do
not carry out your proposed joke, and, sec
ond, that you accompany me home to din
ner after this rehearsal. /"
Miss Mischief-that was her pet name
-demurred at this for moment and then
replied:
1.-THE penalty goes with the pleasure;
but, to tell you the truth, I don't know
which I would have enjoyed the best-the
Joke and the lark or your feast-but your
dinners are good, and l must have the
story"
The rehearsal was long and trying
one s'under the authors immediate per-
sonal supervision" If that dramatist had
only heard the comments of the players in
regard to himself and his play, he would
not have been fattertd.
The saucy and spicy soubrette pro-
nounced him "a horrid old poke"
Rehearsals must end some time, and this
particular one terminated at last, much to
the relief of all parties interested. The
dinner at the home of her who played old
women followed, and then the merry Miss
Mischief cried:
stNow for the story!"
This is the way that it began, word FOR
word:
was acting in stock company and was
quite as full of mischief as you are today"
ssThen you must have been holy ter
ror," was the interruption and confession
The old lady placed her fingers on the
lips of Miss Mischief as a command of 81
lence and resumed:
1--WE were very jolly company and got
along splendidly. Ipartly account for that
because salaries were regular, and prosper
ity is an aid to happiness and good feeling
in theatricals as in other walks of life.
'tThe walks of life are good, auntie," put
in Miss Mischief, ''but those who have got
money ride. When l am a star, I am not
going to walk step-In keep my pair,
and I'll cut dash''--
stHush, or I'll cut the storyi"
The warning had it's effect. Again
"auntie" proceeded:
81 never in all my experience saw such
number of people bent on mischief in
the way of sells and practical jokes, and
must confess that had more than my
share of the fun
'sYou bet!'' exclaimed the soubrette
and then she promised not to interrupt,
and again the story went on:
Zone of the ladies of the company had
bested me in prank and turned the laugh
on me before the rest and I had resolved
to get even at the first opportunity.
Miss Mischief had to interpolate:
"Good!"
The word just jumped out of her ripe,
red lips in spite of herself.
Zone night this lady was on the stage
in scene. did not come on until later
in the act. 1 peeked into her dressing
room, which was next to mine. What
careless woman, to be surel That was my
first thought. There, in front of her mir
ror, lay her valuable diamond ring. You
see, she was playing part where jewels
would be out of place"
tOut of placer" pouted Miss Mischief.
~ would wear diamonds if my part re-
suired me to dress in rags"
Yes, and that was just what that SOU
brette did do, and it made "auntie" and
the critics grieve to see it too.
The old lady did not seem to heed the
interruption, and she appeared to be look
ing far away as she spoke:
''The idea entered my head that it
would be rare fun to take the ring, keep it
for awhile and teach her real good lesson
for her carelessness. / did not wait for a
second thought. l secured the ring and
was back in my own dressing room quick,
L
have over her discontinue and the benefit
that the lesson would be to her. finished
dressing and making up and went down
to the greenroom ready for my part
When 1 was on, | remained to the end of
the act, and it did seem to me that the
time for the curtain to fall would never
come. While / was speaking my lines it
occurred to me-rushed into my mind
that had left my purse, with her ring in
It, on my dressing room shelf, on the ledge
under the mirror. Dear, how l was wor-
rieo When l finished, fairly flew up the
stairs. There was a great connection
among the company.
" Some one has stolen Miss Mason's
ringr
81 heard that on every hand. dread
full fear came oyer me before got to my
own room.
"What do you think, child? The purse
YVES gonel l can tell you the thoughts