The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-07-06
A FAIR SUBSTITUTE.

Inc lhct tndt lne speaking tube leading
Rom the prompter's desk 10 the conduct
nr's chair IN the Folly theater at -shire,
England, had refused to fulfill its duties
led to two discoveries, one in support OF n
physical law, the other semiscientihc. The
physical discovery, so to speak was that
a small mouse can effectually prevent the
passage of large human voice. How the
rodent came TO make the speaking tube a
hiding place matters not. IL had forced
Its way some 10 feet into the tube, and, as
Lord Dundreary would say, 1.-THE CONVEX
sation ended" The second discovery was
an accidental resultant OF the useless con
dition Of the speaking tube.
Forbes Henley, the stage manager OF the
Folly; Corbett Kenyon, the musical direct
or, and Kelley, the gasman and electri-
clan, were laughing over the mishap TO
the tube, and Henley remarked:
81 don't see, Kenyon, how you caught
the signals v you didn't use the tube"
THAT'S the oldest thing of all " said
Kenyon taking hold Of the electric light
which hung over the conductors music
rack. "Ihis lamp did IT, When | didn't
get the signal for the overture, happened
10 lean over by this light, and heard
small edition OF your voice say, what the
deuce Is the matter with the bandg Why
don't they beginY | didn't wait to ask
questions of myself, and as couldn't ask
any Of any one else through the tube be-
gan the music Well, found out that by
listening at the electric light l could hear
everything said on the stage mt the prompt
entrance | can't account for IL, but it's
SOL
"Ah," said Mr.. Kelley, breaking into
the conversation, 81 understand It all.
The electric wires leading from my electric
and gas table TO your light form an acct
dental telephone. 1t often happens. Why,
I've seen an ordinary gas pipe which would
let you hear conversations held two or three
floors away-something like those whis-
pering galleries I've read about"
"Well, Kelley, l don't think Wen trust
TO the accidental telephone You'll patch
up the tube before night won't your" said
Henley.
can right, sir. -
"And see that the opening TO the tube is
kept shut hereafter, please"
"All right, sir, again replied Kelley.
This conversation had been held after
one Of the rehearsals of the new opera
which the Folly management was about
to produce. The members Of the company
had departed some time ago and the stage
had been "cleared." Up stage, however,
1 during the progress OF these discoveries
and the talk relating thereto, a young wo-
man had been modestly waiting. Kenyon
was the first to notice her and remarked
in an undertone to Mr.. Henley:
"Forbes, think there's some one wishes
TO speak to you.
Henley turned and spoke up quickly
after recognizing the young lady:
ibid you wish to see me, Miss Mar
riottf"
''If you please. sir, " replied the young
lady, coming down stage hesitatingly.
"Have you been waiting ever since re-
hearsali Why didn't you speak beforeg
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, my
dear" using the meaningless term Of ad-
dress in universal use upon the stage.
81 didn'tlike to interrupt you, she an
swered
"What can do for your" asked Henley,
looking quite earnestly at her. And he
could have looked upon few prettier, more
ladylike or more modest appearing dam
sells in the entire dramatic profession.
With evident embarrassment Miss Mar
riott answered her manager: could you
and Mr.. Kenyon do me great favor-a
favor TO my mother as well as myself
Mother. as perhaps you know, sir, was
UNIV NtAA hhON II ttN n NlnktIs cue IN III
valid now and all the pleasure left her in
this world is music. I've told her about
the new opera, and she wishes she could
see the score for only one day Then, too,
although Pm only in the chorus, like to
run through all the operas we sing
Mother helps me, and somehow feel
can understand my own work better when
l know the whole opera"
DO you mean 10 say you study the
whole OF the operas we singsn asked Ken
yon, here joining the conversation.
"Nes, sir, " replied Miss Marriott, turn
ing to Kenyon. "I've studied all we've
played so far
There was a short silence before Henley
spoke, saying: "1'm sure l don't know
what TO reply TO your request. It's against
the rules. andn-
sob, bother the rulesr' interrupted
Kenyon. 1.-THE operas ours, isn't itp by
Jove, such interest in her work by one of
the chorus deserves some recognition. Let
Miss Marriott have the extra score. I'll
trust her."
"Well, said Henley, with frightened
face, I'm glad to do so IL you re willing"
He went away. and soon returning handed
the young lady thick volume of manu-
script "There, my dear. that's the piano
score. You'll be careful Of it. rely on
your not letting any one but your mother
and yourself see It. You can keep Il till
after Sunday. We shan't need it..
"Oh, thank you so much III keep Il
sacredly. I'll promise no one shall hear
or see n note of it but mother and myself"
And with an uncommon look OF thank
fulness-and something more divided
one-third to Kenyon, two-thirds TO Hen
ley, she FASTENED away. Henley and Ken.
yon soon followed.
OF all the provincial theaters in Great
Britain the Folly Of shire was perhaps
the most successful. All the London pro
ductions had found quick reproduction
here, and unvarying prosperity had attend
ed every venture. The company had be-
come localized, so TO speak, and was unit
ed, diligent and admirably constructed
corps. Continued success had made the
management bold, and now distinctly
daring attempt was ON the boards-name-
H, an entirely new and original opera.
1.-The Wayside Inn" was in rehearsal for
early production. Furthermore, the au-
thor Of the book Of the opera was Forbes
Henley; the composer of the music was
Corbett Kenyon, stage manager and mu-
steal director OF the Folly respectively.
Therefore these two gentlemen, both young
and energetic, were doubly interested In