The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-23

Honey Stevenson before the most cul-
tured and delighted audiences in the
principal capitals of both hemispheres.
Miss ~Stevenson's versatility will be won
dered at when the audience will per-
ceive the many and varied characters
which she so eminently displays. as In
every one. as Shakespeare says, she
holds the mirror up to nature The
great event of the entertainment, how
ever. will be the balcony scene. Ju-
liet. Miss Laura Honey Stevenson; Ro-
meo, Mr.. Memo" Now to give effect
iveness to the balcony scene a dummy
clothing figure. such as is frequently
seen i'm front of gents" furnishing
stores. a wire frame shaped to conform
to the contour of a mans body. sur
mounted by a handsome blockhead.
This figure was artistically draped. and
a rich velvet hauberk cap. plumed with
ostrich feathers, and heavy folding
cloak. was staked in the center of the
stage. or floor rather tstages were out
of joint then except those on wheels).
While a large kitchen table. masked in
by a kitchen clothes horse. draped also
by red tablecloths. or. more frequently.
red blankets. constituted the balcony
fronting Juliet's chamber and over
looking the garden of the Capulets.
While the necessary stage setting for
the grand" balcony scene was In prog
ress there was an intermission in the
performance, when "a curtain was
drawn across the front Of the stage.
platform or ground floor. whichever was
most handy. This curtain was general
ly made OF some bright colored cotton
cloth. with brass rings sewn on at top
and a copper wire stretched from side
to side by screw eyes was the principal
prop of the intinerant stormer of the
palmy days.
In due time the curtain was drawn
aside. The dummy Romeo was prop
ped a little right Of center of the stage.
Juliet arose in the effulgence of a full
moon effected by a coal oil lamp and
a glass reflector. There vas a dead
silence. The lines came I'm a gurgly
whisper, But soft what light through
yonder window breaks" etc. The
scene vas given with great eclat, the
applause was tumultuous. II was
S~hakespeare's Introduction To a Pioneer
audience. IL was enjoyed. and when at
the close of the performance the audi
ence left Fenian hall II vas unanimous
ly agreed upon that the Honey Steven.
son show was a hummer. OF course IL
was only natural that opinions should
exchanged over something to quench
the thirst. and as those opinions were
IL so happened that they
were frequently at variance, some
maintaining that the fellow who played
Romeo was a d-n stick. that he never
a word. but that the girl spoke
all the lines herself. The dispute on
this point grew so that IL was in order
for the fellow who lost TO set up
drinks for the crowd. OF course,
during the alteration as the crowd be-
larger until at last some one ven
tured to say that Romeo was not a live
at all, but only a wooden man. To
this point. the crowd ad-
back to Fenian hall, struck a
light. found Romeo lying on the top
Of the kitchen table, which did service
for the balcony. The boys were ready
Tor fun. They carried Romeo along
them. Every saloon was I'm turn
The boys were having a right
good time. Romeo was braced up
against every bar I'm Pioneer that night.
I'm the way OF refreshments he was not
Dverlooked-his drink was never want
ing. until at last. tired out with their
diversion. Romeo was taken away to
some miners cabin. converted for the
nonce into a ~calaboose. and there lay
he love-sick scion OF the house of
until the early morning a
prisoner. charged with being drunk
md disorderly. When about 3 o'clock
he stage was due in Pioneer. which
was to carry the show to Missoula.
Thuch, who acted as property man,
ven To the hall to get out their belong
Ings or the sidewalk to be loaded on
he stage Romeo was always. I'm trav-
cling. carefully wrapped I'm several
of glazed oil cloth to protect him
rom the inclemency of the weather. as
well as the dust of the road. Imagine
Miss Laura Honey ~Stevenson's dismay
her goodly spouse rushed into
he hotel close by n excitedly crying
nut. Laura. Laura. where is Romeo?
can't find him anywhere. what did
YOU do with him." Why" she re-
piled. Il threw him on the old table I
used for a balcony Well" said
Church. You'd better go find him
yourself. for I can't" So she immedi-
ltely went TO the hall crying. Romeo,
Where art thou. Romeo?" but
was no response. nor was there |
my semblance of any other wooden
block looking like her Romeo. Just as
The lady was emerging from the hall.
I small boy In front of the door. hearing
The remarks concerning the missing
prop said: Are you lookin' for Mr..
ma'am?" "Ye-yes." she tear
fully replied. Well" said the lad. the
had him out last night an you bet
had a good time: but | dunno
made EN- put Rummy in the
lookup At this I'M the piercing. |
but distant. sound Of a tin whistle was
heard playing a funeral march. where
The road winded at the bottom. and
presently a small procession wendell its
way toward the hotel carrying an i'm
stretcher. and upon il was
placed the figure Of Romeo. whose APP
after the last nights de-
bauch was anything but respectable. |
The hauberk OF silk velvet was bedab-
bled with expectations OF tobacco
and stale beer. A crowd had al
ready assembled. as the stage had
Meantime arrived. The laughs of the
were loud and long as they
gazed ON the ruined Romeo. Mrs.
Stevenson was in tears. An old
miner standing by, taking in the situa-
lion. called loud to the nj Now.
you boys had a hades OF a good time
ast night. but 1 want to tell YOU fell
ows a little story" and here. in a
rude, but impressive way, he related
lhn fnhlo ~ Ahn hn,. =. -