Connecticut western news., 1898-03-03
HE LED THE MOB.

Wanted. d.-Twenty-f five tall and we'll built men. Apply at the stage door of the Adelphi theater at l o'clock today"
 This advertisement in the "want column" attracted the attention of Jim 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, 6 feet 3, of fine physique and erect bearing Jim at once decided to respond to the advertise ment, and 1 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
 Whats the job?" he inquired of a 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, replied the man.
 Jim, not being well versed in Shakes peare, obtained very little information from this reply.
 "A mobl' said Jim. Whats the pay? A black eye?"
 The man addressed glanced at Jim with something akin to pity in his look and replied: "I guess you we never trod the boards, have you2 Don't you know that Julius Caesar is a tragedy, and that there's big mob at his funeralf 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 30 in line, among the first of whom was Jim.
 As Jim had seen very little of thea ter, even us Q 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 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 Jims part. The appli- cants were assembled in line, while the manager ran his experienced eye over them. Something in Jim Eccles' figure and bearing seemed to attract him and, calling his assistant to his side, he said:
 Put this man in for First Citizen. Holbrook s sick and won't be able to go on, and there's no time to hunt around. Tlas mans about his size, so 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 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 it was the man whom he had questioned outside the theater, who also had a play in his possession.
 "Herel This is all Greek to ne. 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 for stage honors withdrew to the home of the Second Citizen, and the rehearsal was soon under way. There must have been some histrionic ability latent in Jim. for ho 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 Awayl Awayi We'll burn his 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 heavens 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 at Rome" With this explanation Jim lifted Polly upon the table, insisting thatshe should hear him go over his part.
 May go 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 blChob hO hCpalbCu, n1OCl o5ouIAuB uCA that 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 mingling together, telling stories and cracking jokes, while Julius Caesar walked arm in arm with his most deadly enemy, the lean and hungry Cassius. Jim managed to get at the peephole | in tho cnrtaip throuoh uu bioh ha cauUhk