The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-07
Tragedy or Comedy

composed a constellation OF dramatic |
stars" and brass band. There was
Rawdon, who was billed" under two
or three names which he variously
used when he doubled or trebled, as
the case might be; and there was Mrs
Rawdon, his wife. who did the heavy
old ladies; and Miss Rawdon, who was
the same person reduced to celibacy
when going on for chambermaids. Also
there were Tonless and his wife, whc
styled themselves the Juveniles, but
who considered themselves extremely
fortunate If they personated less than
four characters each at any perform
ance.
Alfred Morley and Edgar Watteau
were the remaining actice members OF
the company, and active members they
literally were, never having less than
four or five parts. They impersonated
princes and beggars, dukes and detec-
tives, with equal ease and skill, ano
sometimes all four characters IN the
same piece.
1t was a great wonder how they ever
remembered what their names were IN
the plays, but q created wonder now
they had any of their beautiful curly
hair left; for the frantic manner in
which they would rush r. and force on
a wig while running around to enter
L., and then rush off l.. and repeat the
wig-changing while getting round tc
enter R.. would seem to have been
enough to wear the capillary adorn-
ments off an Esau.
The two gentlemen left to make UP
the eight were the leader Of the orches'
ira (whose duty II was, as soon as we
reached a town, to scour the place toI
some musicians to lead, otherwise ne
had to do it alone and play both first
and last fddle), and Jim Handy, the
property man, who did little. and
very often great deal, of everything.
He would disappear in the morning
and return in time to take tickets that
evening, having billed the company fol-
two weeks ahead in other places ad
interim. He was luggage superintend-
ent, doorkeeper, tlyman, bill distribu-
tor and stage carpenter, besides going
on as mob or army. When not other
wise engaged he held the prompt-book
OF course there was a manager, but
he didn't count for anything. Mana
gers never do. except on one particular
day each week; and sometimes even
then they count for less than at any
other time.
We were a contented little company
and were quite happy among ourselves
until a series of bad houses, and post
ponement of the salary-day, made us
gloomily prophetic and generally dis
trustful. Nor were our hopes in any
way increased by observing long con.
fidential conversations between jim
Handy and the manager.
We argued that that augured badly.
and so. after consultations innumerable
among ourselves. we decided to request
the manager to hand over our salaries
We drew lots to see who should de-
mand the money and It fell to RaWdon
When that gentleman mustered ur
courage enough TO go to the managers
room. he found that that worthy had
Just departed by the train for London
leaving behind note stating he had
gone to town to engage a great lady
star" and to get some printing done
that he would be back in two days, and
that he had arranged with the land
lord for our board and lodging. This
was all true; and on the second day
,he manager returned, accompanied by
the celebrated tragedienne, Miss
but why mention her name, and it is
possible that you have seen her act
and that is all you need to know.
She was tall, stately, and handsome
lady, and not at all averse to homage
from the opposite sex. By the seconC
night. therefore she had fairly capti
waited all the gentlemen; but two of tn,
men being married and quite out of tn,
question, the field was left open to AL
fred Morley and Edgar Watteau. Thes,
Two gentlemen paid the lady all sorts
of attentions, and fell desperately IL
love with her.
On the third evening the great ira
gedienne was honored by CALL and al
she was coming off after having will
great satisfaction acknowledged tn
favor, Morley stood ready to pull tn
curtain aside, SO as to permit her t
back off bowing, Just as she reache,
the entrance and was making her las
DOW, Morley was thrust aside, an
Vatican, taking his place, held tn
curtain for the lovely actress, and re
ceived a sweet smile OF thanks.
The eyes of Morley flashed fire t
such an extent that cigar could al
have been lit at them,
"Miscreant!' he Kissed in the ear c
81 shall, sir" answered Watteau
you shall hear from me to-morro'
morn"
II hope so," replied Watteau.
Then both scowling at each othe
each one tapped his left hip-whel
the sword ought to be-turned up h
nose, and swapping his fingers,
though tossing pinch of salt over h
shoulder, withdrew. The quarrel Nigh
and probably would, have ended her
had it not been for Rawdon and Tol
less, who, anxious for bit of fu
kept the two rivals apart, and encou
aged them in everything they sugges
cd.
So behold the adversaries on t
field of honor; the ground measure
and everything ready for one to va
quish and the other to fall, with O
tri.ing exception-the pistols were oil
fashioned ones that had been made |
fore flint-locks had gone out OF III
Thew had been borrowed for the r