Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-05
THE PROMPTER'S STORY.


theatre. Il concerned, as nearly as
can ramember-but why not confess
that l remember it perfectly? went
there 10 claim a manuscript, that had
Ifs several weeks before. I arrived
jus. g, the end of the first act Of the new
piece. The actors coming from the
stage hurried in,o the corridor that led
10 their dressing rooms, and through
The door communicating with the front
of the hOuS5, the manager appeared, fol-
lowell by TWO or three persons. went
to him and explained the object Of ny
visit.
Your manuscript he repeated.
"Have I a manuscript of yours?"
Dom YOU remember it? 1t was the
pi &c in which"
All, yes-yOur little comedy. Ask
Roseyal l gave him package of man
uscripts just now. and yours must be
among them, and the manager went his
way, calling back TO me: See Roseval,
my dear fellow. see ROssval"
A scene rising suddenly between us
prevented me from following him. l
started back and almos- bumped into
scene shifter who was carrying a prac-
teal rock 10 put on The mex, act, avoid
I'd him, and called out, M. ROseyal?"
but ne was already gone, and it was one
Of his comrades who replied: m.
Rcseval the prompter? Here he comes
n0w-the Little man with The beard.
approached the individual who was
thus pointed out to me. He had beard
TO be sure, bu, such poor little beard
gray, sparse, and ii-kempJ, on a pale
face lined with care.
"Haye l the honor of addressing NJ.
ROseyal?'
Yes, yes" he said, with an uneasy
and hurried air, what is it,
Il hive come to claim a manuscript
"Oh. yes" NJ. Roseval interrupted.
IF YOU will wait a moment, and, ap-
osrophizing someone benin dhim, have
You rung the bells, juneau
Twice
is Mines Adams ready?'
NO, but she says she has plenty of
time
oh, that womani cried NJ. Roseyal.
shes beginning again. Run and tell
her-nO, sJop-Tll 80 myself, and he
hurried down the corridor. As he dis
appeared in one direction the manager
came up from the other. Well when
is i, going to begin? Roseyal! Where
is ROseval?"
Whoever had heard the tone Of that
phrase would have recognized in it me
v0iCd of the master ROseyal heard lt
from afar, and, running out of breath,
exclaimed: Here l am sir, here am.
Here I am. sir. hre l am MINI
licked the manager, in a whining voice.
Then he added dryly, in his ordinary
tone: Are we going to have the rest
of It tonight or not till tomorrow?
The stage manager mumbled that
Nine. Adams was not ready YET
She would be" replied the manager,
IF You had kept IN eye on her.
But. sir
come come. no remarks. Get them
on the stage. and let's begin.
AT this there was a great silence. The
manager passing before the group OF re
spectfu lchorus girls, brusquely opened
The door Of his box. The prompter
cried. Ready" the cuatain rose, ana
NM. Adams emerged upon the stage.
HAD taken my stand little TO one
side. Roseveval seemed to have for
gotten me completely. Win ms ear
cooked toward the stage, his right nahd
ON the knob of ,he door through when
Nine. Adams had just passed, ne helo IN
his felt hand a manuscript in which ne
attentively followed the progress OF the
piece on the stage. -.
All at once he saw me. Excuse me, ~
sid he in a low voice, but cannot
bulge from here. / have to HE
suddenly sprang aside. at the same
time opening the door for the majestic
passage of Nine. Adams.
"Wba. a fool of an audience" ex-
claimed the actress, as soon as the door
was closed. They don't take single
one of my points then suddenly: by
the way. I'll wager you have forgotten
my powder -
NO. madam. I have it with me, Rose
Welt reD,ied. drawing from his pocket
little box wrapped in paper, which ne
presented TO the famous Coincidence.
Bir. almost imm diately he added: "Oh
excuse me. am mistaken drawing
eno.her object from his pocket. Here
IL is. Ibis is yours" and. taking back
the DacEage Nine. Adams was beginning
10 unwrap. ne explained: This Is some
bonbons for my little girl.
"Bonbons. en-? You Will spoil your
little girl" said the actress with
smile. go, ID
promp.er sighed. when the child is
You hpve a sick child, asked, in
Yes. sir: it's my little girl-the sec
ond one. She has had typhoid fever
"Who?" exclaimed voice near us
'Who mas had typhoid fever?
I looked at the person who had so aO-
ruplv Joined in the conversation, and
recognized Floriac. Planted before the
door through which he was TO make his
entrance the amiable young leading
man ..igfSened with an effort the buckle
of the D arl gray breeches, which con-
stituted to his mind one OF the most
important features to his role.
II was speaking of my daughter,
Roseval replied. "She has Deen very
sick. She's much better now, but me
doctor saws we must be very careful. A
relapse would be serious.
"Assuredly." replied Floriac with
iudicial air. You mus. be very care
fuI" Then. by Joyer h cried sud
denly. where is my whip? ~
rAe prompter trembled. Nn3''
tr.sr,- r5,oien given It to yOu?'
You can see for yourself, return .-.
,9e furious ector, and, turning 10 me;
"Vo w6ip. ana lis ny time 10 go on