The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-27
A LEADING PART.

Il n - Il
The following was narrated to me by
an old friend of mine, who upon leav-
ing college had adopted the stage as his
profession. His name is-well, we will
know him by fictitious one-Harry
Thomas, for he is at present in the
zenith Of the theatrical world. and thou
sands would recognize him if his name
was given in these columns.
His story ran thus:
As you are aware, Jack, left COL
lege when ] was within a little of 1s.
Well. had always q great desire to
emulate those sterling heroes Of old,
whose prowess I had studied so much
about.
And there being no other opening
in which to test my abilities I deter
mined at once to adopt the stage and
make it the field of my mimic con-
quests, little dreaming of the difficult
task which I had voluntarily imposed
upon myself.
How few Of the outside world know
Of the incessant toll of an actors life!
He is nothing but schoolboy. For
as soon as one piece is committed to
memory another is placed in his hands,
and SO Ola life of perpetual study and
labor.
After some trouble I obtained the
unenviable position Of supe' in one of
our principal theaters. And after spend
ing two years in this branch was pro-
NOTED to play utility business
And here 1 remained three years
more, listening to the plots and schemes
of the villains and heroes in different
dramas.
II assure you that by this time my
ardor had cooled considerably, and
many time while porting over my part
in some new piece 1 have sincerely
wished that had chosen some other
means of earning a living
The manager saw that possessed
more than ordinary talent, so he in.
trusted me with a part in which play.
ed second to the hero of the piece.
II carried myself through very cred
itably, and the journals the next morn
ing in their criticisms said:
g Mr.. Thomas is young and very
promising actor; good in gesture and
correct in delivery
"Well, at this time young lady-a
star in her line-we will know her as
Louisa Dietz-was engaged to play the
principal role in drama which the
manager intended to open with and play
during the Christmas holidays.
SIT inclined rather to the Thespian
style in the opening, but ended up as
usual, with virtue triumphant, and all
the villains either shot or sent to state
prison for life.
"The piece required great deal of
study. In short, we had rehearsal every
day for nearly month, and during
that time l fell desperately in love with
Louisa Dietz, the heroine of the play.
1t was love at first sight, but whether
my passion found an answering thrill
in her bosom I could not tell.
Sometimes, when alone, l would
call myself fool, a mailman; for how
could for a moment expect an alliance
between myself-a newly pledged
knight Of the dramatic art, and Louisa
Dietz, whose name was sufficient to
cram any theater with the wealth and
beauty Of the land.
"sThe actor who was to play the hero
of the drama was tall, fine, dark look
ing man, and it nearly set me crazy to
hi fxryt,n tho h,,cs >f
required it) clasp her to his breast.
In my fevered imagination, thought
that he used more earnestness than the
nature of the occasion required.
Well, at last the final rehearsal but
one was over, and the following Mon.
day night (Which was Christmas) the
drama was to be presented to the public.
Monday dawned fair and bright, the
air was cool and crisp.
The last rehearsal had been called fol
this morning at II o'clock.
Upon reaching the theater what was
my surprise to find every one, from the
manager down to the callboy, running
about the stage and talking in the most
excited manner.
''Upon inquiry found that the per
son who was going to play the leading
character in the piece had the night be-
fore fallen upon the icy pavement and
SO injured his ankle that it rendered il
impossible for him to appear.
"The manager upon hearing it had
dispatched his messengers to all the
theatrical agencies in the city to, if pos
sible, obtain person to play the part.
..But without success, for those who
were competent would not risk theil
reputation in performing piece upor
such short notice. and those that were