Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-09-27
HE LED THE MOB.

Eccles, upon whom, like many another
good fellow, the general depression of
the country had brought enforced idle
ness.
His attachment for Miss Polly Bod
man made him all the more anxious to
be at work, that his castle in the air
might materialize into neat little
cottage where Mrs. Eccles should ad-
minister to him all the comforts Of a
home.
Surely he met the requirements,
measuring, as he did, feet 2, of fine
physique and erect bearing, Jim at
once decided to respond to the advertise
ment, and / o'clock found him stand
ing, with large crowd of applicants,
outside of the stage door Of the Adelphi
theater.
Jim, by dint of skillful elbowing,
made his way within close proximity
of the stage door and set about his in
vestigations.
"What's the job?" he inquired of
tall, cadaverous looking individual who
stood next to him.
"There's going to be a big show of
Julius Caesar. All stars in the cast
and big gang Of supers for the Roman
mob, i" replied the man.
Jim, not being we'll versed in Shakes
peare, obtained very little information
from this reply.
"a mobr' said Jim. "What's the
pay? A black eye?"
The man addressed glanced at Jim
with something akin to pity in his look
and replied: II guess you We never trod
the boards have you? Don't you know
that Julius Caesar is a tragedy, and
that there's big mob at his funeral?
We're wanted as chief mourners.
"Not particularly cheerful occupa-
tion," replied Jim.
He would have continued his in
quiries, but was cut short by the open
ing Of the stage door to admit the first
25 in line, among the first of whom
was Jim
As Jim had seen very little Of thea
ter, even as spectator, the scene now
presented to him was most bewildering.
He was admiring the decoration of a
drawing room scene, when he was rude
ly interrupted by a poke in the back
from a tree which the stage hands
were shifting.
The appearance of the stage manager
just then put an end to any further in
vestigation on Jim's part The appli-
cants were assembled in line, while the
manager ran his experienced eye over
them. Something in Jim Ecoles' figure
and bearing seemed to attract him and,
calling his assistant to his side, he said
"Put this man in for First Citizen.
Holbrooks sick and won't be able to go
on, and there's no time to hunt around.
This mans about his size, so the Co.'S
tune will go all right"
So saying, he thrust a book into the
hands of the much astonished Jim, tell
ing him to get the lines marked "First
Citizen" and to be on hand the follow
ing morning for the rehearsal.
Jim, overcome by this sudden great
ness thrust upon him, endeavored to ex-
press his ignorance Of the duties Of the
First Citizen, but the manager rushed
away, leaving the selection Of the other
citizens to his assistant. Jim was about
to follow him, but felt himself pulled
by the sleeve and, turning, found il
was the man whom he had questioned
outside the theater, who also had a
playbook in his possession.
"Here! This is all Greek to me. What
shall do?" said Jim.
"Shl Don't give it away that you're
no actor" said the man cautiously.
"I'll put you through all right You're
in luck to get speaking job"
The novelty Of his situation moved
Jim to make the most Of what chance
had thrown in his way, and he decided
that he would essay the part of First
Citizen and endeavor to prove himself
equal to this greatness thrust upon
him.
Accordingly the two aspirants fol
stage honors withdrew to the home o1
the Second Citizen, and the rehearsal
was soon under way. There must have
been some histrionio ability latent in
Jim, for he soon caught the spirit Of
the tragedy and, under the guiding
hand of his instructor, made rapid prog.
ress. After two hours Of hard work the
First Citizen took his departure, fully
convinced that he was born actor.
Jim, highly elated with this new
found talent, lost no time in bearing
the news to his sweetheart, Polly. As
he rushed into the house he exclaimed;
"Comel Away! Awayl Well burn
his body in the holy place and with the
brands fire the traitors houses. I"
Polly was too overcome to speak fol
a moment, but when at last words
came to her she said: "For heaven
sake, Jim. where did you get it? You
promised me you would never touch
another drop. /"
behold in me the First Citizen To.
morrow evening I lead the mob al
Rome" With this explanation Jim
lifted Polly upon the table, insisting
that she should hear him 60 over biz
part.
MAY 60 to the show" asked Polly
when Jim had finished.
"You shall have front seat in the
balcony, Jim answered, and promising
TO call in the morning to leave her 9
| ticket he departed, after assuring hel
that her fortune would spsedily be made