The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-02
An Actors Russ.

L
edy. sir. though if any one had told me
| that I'd make a hit in that line wher
I first went upon the stage, I'd have EEL
much insulted
It doesn't make much difference now
| what my aspirations were years ago; sun
the shades of Hamlet haunted my dreams
| then, and I was possessed TO snine "a
| Romeo. Humphi The manager cast me
for second grave-digger in the first and
Gregory in the second. How well L car
ried the parts out I can't tell; / know
was never invited to do the melancholy
Dane, neither was I ever asked to clasp
fair Juliet in the dirn-lighted chamber
of the Capulets.
I became reconciled TO disappointment
after awhile and, after struggling through
the lesser characters, 1 finally was given
the position of leading low comedian in
the stock company. Perhaps you'd take
me for anything but low comedian
How fairly well I do the business, the
bills tell that.
In the year of 1860 I was playing in a
stock company in New Orleans, and the
city was wild with rumors of the dawning
conflict AS the company was comprised
OF number of Northern people, many
vacancies were created by the deserters
who fastened homeward. The first 10
leave was our leading man, and the man
ager was anxious to secure a competent
man, who soon presented himself IN
the shape of d fine Texan, of much repu-
tation among the ranks of amateurs. He
was a tall, well-built chap of q or p
possessing one of those peculiar voices
such as Hal Montague's, not ranty
strong, but plain, distinct, and pleasant
in all, well qualified for the rendering
of Juvenile leading parts.
Il took to the youngster from the start
for 1 plainly saw that he was one OF
those talented chaps who, If they fall
into judicious hands, can be made much
of-as we'll as spoiled, if they come in
contact with old stagers.
For some time back 1 had noticed that
the heavy man had been smitten with the
charms of our leading lady. I also saw
that she did not favor him in the slight
est. When her part made it necessary
for her to come in contact with him
saw shrinking as Of more than feigned
disgust, and off the stage she treated him
pretty much the same as on-with scorr
and loathing.
Well, a shart time after the new leading
man came there sprang up between him
and the heavy man an enmity. 1 was
standing in the wings one night, wait
ing for my cue, while we were playing
one Of those good, oldfashioned melo-
dramas; lover had a secret foe who is
endeavoring to win the good graces, for
tune, and hand of the fair one, and al
that sort. by undetermined ways. Discov-
cry Of the false friend and secret foe
follows, and the usual duel takes place
OF course the traitorous foe falls, and the
curtain drops while the victor clasps the
fair one to his breast.
[ was waiting my cue, Is I said. The
handsome leading man was bending over
the leading lady, his hand searching for
hers, her face against his. l was watch
ing all this, and 1 saw it was more than
stage love- 1t was the genuine, pure arti-
Gle. 1t was my business to rush in just
then, and thus cause great deal of COM
motion. I heard a muttered Curse
him. 1 turned quickly; it came from
the lips of the heavy man, who was
standing at my elbow. Such a look OF
fiendishness upon a human face I never
before saw, and as his was ugly by nature
without the added features of the make
up, he looked indeed like a devil.
The play passed off smoothly, as usual
the hero and traitor met, the duel took
place, ard the regular denouement follow
ed amid the applause of an appreciative
and satisfied audience.
kept my eyes open after that, for I
knew there was something in the wind
0CotAACu. II pOSSlDl6, 10 WOTh WTOHB
against the young leading man, who by
this time had become a prime favorite
among the members of the stock company
the heavy man excepted.
About a week after | had witnessed the
villains rage, happening TO pass by his
dressing-rOom door, I heard a muffled,
clinking sound, as of some metallic sub
stance coming in contact with the like
L drew nearer, placed my eye to the key
hole. and peeped through The man was
seated within range of my vision. upon a
trunk, pistol between his knees and he
was rammfng a bullet into the barrel
1t was all as plain as day. The fiend
was preparing TO murder the handsome
young leading man. He would meet his
would-be victim in the duel scene. kill
him, and escape the penalty of the law by
advancing the plea that he never dream
ed that the pistol was loaded. 1 was thun-
derstruck. / knew the fellow was a mo-
rose person, man of strong dislikes and
few likes, but I did not think him cana
bic of such a dastardly deed as he con-
templated Thank heaven, I had wit
messed the little scene behind closed
doors
Hearing his call from the call-boy, 1
with drew behind some packing trunks
and soon heard him treading the boards
some time, so 7 went into his dressing
room and quickly withdrew the bullet
from the pistol. Then l went to nv post
above and found the play progressing
smoothly as usual.
( L never saw the leading man do as
well; as for the leading lady, she was ac-
cepting his love with word, glance and
sweet gestures which told plainly that
she was in earnest. He was making real
love to her; yes. such love as you do
sometimes see on the boards. We old
stagers can tell the difference between
downright love and the make-believe ar
icle every time.
When the rivals met in the duel scene.
I can assure you I was more than an
anxious spectator. He. the hero. met the
muzzle OF the rival with the same cool de-
meanor. I wondered would he appear as
cool as brave. had he known Of the scene
behind the doors
The face of the villain was a perfect
picture of helish ferocity. and I never be-
fore knew how much Of a mans evil ma
ture could be depicted upon his features
The word was given TO fire. The sharp
crack Of the pistols followed and the
smoke passed up into the flies.
All The villain had forgotten his fall
He started quickly forward and gazed up
on his rivals smiling face. Then pain
ful silence followed. as there always does
when break mars the play. The leading
man whispered in an undertone:
Fail. man, Why don't you fall2''
But the villain had no ear for hearing
ne had expected TO see the blood-stained
corpse of his hated rival stretched before
him-and now ne stood there siilI alive
and breathing
With a loud oath which could be heard
IN every part OF the house, the defeated
villain sprsng by his rival. dashed through