Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-12-10
HE LED THE MOB.

AAI AiL1h liz hOD.
Wanted. Twenty five tall and we'll
built men Apply at the stage door of the
Adelphi theatsr ut | O'Clock today. 4"
This advertisement in tho want
column attracted the attention of Jim
Eooles, 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 ut work, that his castle In the air
might materialize into neat little
cottage where Mrs. Eccles should al.
minister TO him all the comforts of a
home.
Surely no met the requirements,
measuring, as he did, feet 3, of fine
physique and erect bearing Jim at
once decided to respond to tho advertise
ment, and o'clock found him stand
ing, with n 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.
whats the job?" he inquired of a
tall, cadaverous looking individual who
stood next to him.
There's going to be big show of
Julius Caesar All stars in the cast
and big gang of supers for the Roman
mob, 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 eyer"
The man addressed glanced at Jim
with something akin to pity in his look
and replied ~ guess you We never trod
the boards, have your Don't you know
that Julius Caesar il tragedy and
that there's big mob at his funeral
We're wanted as chief mourners
Not II particularly cheerful occupa
ton. replied Jim
He would have continued his in
quiries, but was cut short by the open
ing of tho stage door to admit the first
90 in line. among the first of whom
was Jim
An Jim had seen very little of II thea
ter, even IN u spectator, tho scene nov
presented to him was most bewildering
He was admiring the decoration OF q
drawing room scene, when no was rude,
ly interrupted by poke in the back
from IL tree which tho stage bands
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, no said
put this man in for First Citizen
Holbrook's sick and won't be able to 60
on, and there's no time to hunt around
This mans about his size. 40 the COS
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 tho follow
ing morning for tho rehearsal
jim, overcome by this sudden great
uess thrust upon him, endeayored to ex
press his ignorance Of the duties of the
First Citizen, but tho 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
al, lao hnI
outside the theater, who also had II
playbook in his possession
''Herel This il all Greek to me. What
shall dor" said Jim
''Shl Don't give it away that you re
no actor, said the man cautiously
I'm put you through all right. You're
in luck to get speaking job. "
The novelty Of his situation moved
Jim to make tho 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 for
stage honors Withdrew to tho home Of
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 timo IN bearing
the news to his sweetheart, Polly As
he rushed into the house he exclaimed
Come! Away Away Wen burn
mis- body in the holy place and with the
brands fire the traitors houses -
Polly was too overcome to speak for
moment, but when at last words
came TO her she said; For heaveu's
lake, jim, where did You get ~ You
promised me you would never touch
another drop
Behold in me the First Citizen To
morrow evening | lead the mob at
Rome " With this explanation Jim
lifted Polly upon tho table, insisting
that she should hear him go over his
part
May go 10 the shown asked Polly
when Jim had finished.
lyon shall have front seat IN the
balcony. Jim answered, and promising
to call in the morning to leave her u
ticket he departed, after assuring her
hat her fortune would speedily be made
should he make hit In this new ven
ture.
A half hour before the rise Of the cur
tain found Jim clad in the costume Of a
citizen Of Rome. Senators, triumvir,
citizens and conspirators were minRling
together, telling stories and cracking
jokes, while julius Cesar walked arm in
arm with his most deadly enemy. the
lean and hungry Cassius.
I'M Tn,.uaupd IN uet at the uppuhpie