The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-09-15

Shot through my brain
why couldn't play the part? For,
having such a number of rehearsals,
was as perfect in his part as was in
my own.
mo sooner had the idea entered my
mind than acted upon it, and going
up to the manager | said;
81 know this part, and | have no
doubt if you will intrust it to my care
l can go through with it satisfactorily.
He grasped me warmly by the hand
and said:
Thanks, thanks Mr.. Thomas I
have every faith in your ability.
But cared more for the grateful
look in Louisa's eyes as she walked by
my side and said
L too, will ever owe you service,
which will be impossible to repay.
$50 it was decided that / should as
sumo the principal role, while a person,
after some trouble, was obtained who
could, no doubt, by gagging and being
followed closely, put through my part.
Well, at last the evening arrived and
with immense crowds that fiocked from
all quarters.
AT a quarter before the manager
stepped before the curtain and narrated
the accident to the audience, and then
begged their kind indulgence in my
behalf, who at the last moment, rather
than have them disappointed, had vol
unteered to play the part.
81, all this time, had been looking
through small hole bored in the pros
cenium.
1.-The house was packed from parquet
to dome with as refined an audience as
ever | have had the pleasure to play to.
AT O'Clock precisely the curtain
was rung up and the play commenced.
Neither Louisa nor l appeared until
the second scene.
Il was standing in breathless anxiety,
leaning against one of the fats, upon
the prompt side, while she stood slight
ly flushed, but perfectly collected, upon
the %. p side.
Il had perfect confidence in myself,
but every actor, no matter how perfect
he may be, will feel an indescribable
sensation of-you hardly say what
when he is about to stake his reputation
in new role before the public.
We'll, at last the first scene was
called in.
And amid deathlike silence the
star of the evening walked on.
Instantly storm of applause greet
ed her, and echoed and ECHOED around
and among the scenery like the rum
bling of distant thunder.
THE scene represented a garden in
which she was soliloquizing as to
whether her lover (me) was true to her,
or whether he was playing her false.
At last | received my cue, and went
on.
My entrance was again the signal
for deafenlng applause which was con-
tinued for nearly five minutes. and it
gave me time to fully think over what
! was about to say.
Finally all was once more quiet,
and | commenced my delivery.
1T abounded in protestations of my
undying fidelity and love for her
As | continued | warmed up with
the subject. was almost carried away
by the intensity of my feelings.
Il forgot that hundreds of eyes were
critically watching every gesture and
that attentive ears were devourinf the
words as they fell from my lips.
Il saw only before me the woman [
loved. And the passion which | was
outpouring to her ears was not the love
of the hero of the play, but simply the
love of Harry Thomas for Louisa Dietz.
when l had finished. the curtain
descended amid showers of bouquets
and deafening applause.
The latter was continued until we
both appeared before the curtain.
Il need not dwell upon the remain
der of the performance. Let it suffice
to say that we both received a perfect
ovation.
And that night, when the curtain
had descended for the last time, the
manager came hurrying i'll to where
was i'll the greenroOm, and seizing me
by the hand he said his voice trem-
bling with emotion:
"'Y You have saved the reputation of
my house
And thereupon he drew up papers
of agreement trebling my salary and
engaging me to play leading business.
Il need hardly add that my fame
was at once established, and short
time afterward Louisa and | We're mar.
ried.
And now the names of Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas displayed upon the bill
boards of any theater are sufficient to
cause the manager dong tefore the
hour of commencing to put out the
sign of Standing room only
Tht Iarihta ShAdnu-