Middletown transcript., 1895-12-21
''MR. FREELANCE Is BACK.

~ -
s'MR. FREELANCE Is BACK"
pieces and the bottom would drop out
Of the whole play. I thought I'd speak
to you about it because Hardup has
caught a new 'angep and said some
thing to me about Kitty Bracebridge''-
IF that wolf puts her foot in this
theater began Miss Livingstone, but
Mr.. Freelance interrupted her by plac-
ing his hand over her mouth and say
ing: 1Wait for me after the curtain
goes down, Pearl, and I'll talk to you
about it. Shadrach's waiting in the
Office, and I've got to give him Jolly
30 as to get the costumes out of him, but
I'll be back here after the last act.
In spite Of the storm outside and the
dispiriting atmosphere within the per-
formance given that night by the Jollity
stock company was notably brilliant
one, for the news had spread that there
was to be speedy change Of bill, and
hope was once more in every member g
breast Mr.. Freelance invited Miss Liv-
ingstone out to supper just as she was
on the point Of declaring that she would
not go on again unless she received ev-
cry cent Of the back salary that was due
her, and before they left the restaurant
she had meekly agreed to study the great
emotional role which had been intended
for Miss Bracebridge and to say nothing
more about back salary,
The next morning, in accordance with
q call posted in the stage entrance, the
company assembled to hear the new
play read by the gifted Mr.. Freelance,
and such was that gentleman's elocu-
tionary power that when he laid the
manuscript aside expressions that ranged
from mere satisfaction to rapturous en-
thusiasm were heard on every hand,
and there was scarcely an actor or
actress present that did not feel conf
dent Of a personal success in the new
production.
The reading over, Mr.. Freelance took
Miss Livingstone. Mr. Borders and one
or two other rebellious spirits aside, and, |
as he expressed it in subsequent inter
view with Mr.. Hustle, "stiffened their
backbones" with the assurance that ev-
erything was all right and that the
piece was to be done on Christmas eve
in order that they might have really
merry Christmas on the prospects Of it's
success. After that, he assured them,
their back salaries would pour in upon
them in perfect avalanche.
AS Mr.. Freelance was leaving the |
theater he felt some one tugging at his
coat, and on looking down saw little |
Kitty Sullivan standing beside him and
saying, in earnest tones, and with a
sad, wistfut face, "Billy, isn't there
any part for me in the new piece?'
The child called him by his first name
because she had always heard him
spoken to in that way by other members
of the company, and Billy rather en-
,ouraged her in the idea because it
sounded funny to him to hear himself
addressed in such familiar terms by an
infant of her size.
Kitty was veritable child Of the
want scene, and had been an actress
rom her very earliest infancy. She was
low about z years Of age, and was just
to comprehend the difference
,etween the real things Of life, such as
louses, trees and streets, and the paint
d limitations of stageland. And yet It
vas only two years and a half ago that
he beheld the ocean for the first time,
nd it is related Of her that ON that
ccasion she stood with Billy's hand
lightly clasped in hers, watching the
waves as they broke upon the beach, and
nally turned to her companion and said
her serious way. BILLY. how do they
york 'em?''
And now she was here beside her old
riend. with hr small, pathetic face
pturned, and inquiring earnestly If
here were role for her in "The Giants I
'auseway."
"See here. Kitty" exclaimed Mr.. t
Reliance, touched by the child's grief, 8
I'll tell you what I'll do for you, and
hats more, wouldn't do it for any '
ne else in the company. Are you lis \
,ning?'' g
Yes, +" said Kitty. turning her head a
round. Il
well, I'll write in q part specially .
" you, and that's something that an q
1thor like Sardou or myself rarely G
pes for any one except q Bernhardt or o
Duse. Now, run along and be here to- y
orrow at II for rehearsal. n
The child darted away, wiping the
st tear from her cheek as she ran, and =
arney said approvingly, "That's the
st deed you'll ever do in your life,
:. Freelance, and, mark my words, the
lid II bring good luck to the house"
How Billy succeeded in persuading
. economical Hardup that the piece
ould prove failure unless a child
ere introduced into It and how he
ntxived TO write the part IN for her
- very night are matters that had
q he left 70 conjecture, but tho xory
<xax = - - i