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


Of the flats, silent and pale as marble.
"This was her first appearance at
this theater, and to have an accident
occur like this was enough to stupefy
any one under similar circumstances.
81 pitied her from tie bottom of my
heart.
IL was standing at the prompter's
stand, when suddenly wild thought
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.
"No sooner had the idea entered my
mind than acted upon it, and going
up to the manager said:
"'I know this part, and have no
doubt If you will intrust it to my care
/ can go through with it satisfactorily.
He grasped me warmly by the hand
and said:
Thanks, thanks, Mr.. Thomas. l
have every faith in your ability
but l cared more for the grateful
look in Louisa's eyes as she walked by
my side and said:
"'I, too, will ever owe you a service,
which will be impossible to repay
So it was decided that should as
sumo the principal role, while 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 <l,
all quarters.
"At quarter before s 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.
II, all this time, had been looking
through small hole bored in the pros
cenium.
"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 appeared until
the second scene
Twas 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.
II 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 isabout to stake his reputation
in new role before the public.
"Well, at last the first scene was
called in.
"And amid deathlike silence the
star OF the evening walked on.
Instantly a storm of applause greet
ed her, and echoed and re- echoed around
and among the scenery like the rum
bling of distant thunder.
"The scene represented garden in
which she was soliloquizing as to
whether her lover (me) was true to her,
or whether he was playing her false.
Eat last received my cue, and went
on.
My entrance was again the signal
for deafening applause, which was con-
tinued for nearly five minutes, and it
gave me time to fully think over what
l was about to say.
Finally all was once more quiet
and 1 commenced my delivery.
cit abounded in protestations of my
undying fidelity and love for her.
GAS 1 continued warmed up with
the subject. I was almost carried away
by the intensity of my feelings.
II forgot that hundreds of eyes were
critically watching every gesture and
that attentive ears were devouring the
words as they fell from my lips.
II saw only before me the woman I
loved. And the passion which I was
outpou7ing 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.
81 need not dwell upon the remain
der of the performance. Let it suffice
to say that we both received perfect
ovation.
"And that night, when the curtain
had descended for the last time, the
manager came hurrying i'll to where
was in the greenroom, and seizing me
by the hand he said, his voice trem-
bling with emotion:
"'You have saved the reputation Of
my house.
"And thereupcn he drew up papers
of agreement trebling my salary and
engaging me to play leading business.
81 need hardly add that my fame
was at once established, and short
time afterward Louisa and I were 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 (long before the
hour Of commencing) to put,out the
sign of Standing room only. Min
neapolis Tribune.