Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-04-29
A Theater Diplomat
BY William Armstrong



IT HE first act was almost over wien
the tenor. The soprano and the
contrnlto got together In The wings
and decided II the manager failed 10
arrive as he had telegrophed and set.
tie up the payroll. now overdue. they
would not sing the opera out.
When the news spread. nsit quickly
did. the chorus with slight dissent
agreed in The plan. Many OF them had
been stranded before and the prospect
was far from eNhilarating. but the
chance of getting even in some small
way had the pleasure Of novelty. The
plan was in consequence tacitly agreed
upon.
The basso, not in the original pro-
nunciamento list. told the call boy that
he need not hiring the customary beer
from around the corner after the sec
ond act.
As this meant that he would go after
! II In person no doubt was left in The
minds OF those concerned as TO what
course he would pursue.
Faces that few moments before had
appeared anxious now grew bright at
the prospect Of excitement.
The audience in front, not a bad one
rs the audiences Of the new opera went.
was in ignorance OF the projected sur
prise.
The soubrette. usually the most in
consequent member Of the company.
alone was depressed.
II tell you you don't know what you
are about. IA long as people think you
are engaged. whether you get your
money or not, there's a chance that
they'll trust you. but IL they know the
company's disbanded there's no more
chance about It," As in the world at
large the voice OF the philosopher went
UNDECIDED
Not disconnected the soubrette
spread out her costume for the third act
on the steam radiator and left the door
of her dressingroom wide open that
all might sec as they passed by Clear
ly she was not with the majority.
But Miss Casey had more al stake
than the majority. She was engaged
10 Victor Laquine. tenor in the chorus.
They were TO be married in the spring
and would go into vaudeville IN n hap
ply domestic way.
A disbanding OF the company on
Christmas eve and their first engage
ment together booked for a SUMMER
garden in May made scarcely a pleas
ing prospect.
Engagements that year had been
, hard enough TO get at any time and
! I'm mid-season would be scarcesi Of ALL
At the very best it meant different
, companies and separation. and that IN
, turn meant good-by to matrimony and
1 vaudeville. Miss Casey had been en-
. gagged before, she knew the sex.
On the stage The company guyed each
, other and the audience as only an un
! paid company can
4 Miss Casey alone was too preoccu
pied to pay any attention TO It. Now
. and then she cast her eyes TOWARD
: the rear Of the theater hoping TO sec
j. the managers fur-dccked overcoai mov
ing about behind the last row OF seats
n II knew he wouldn't COME" ever!
o one said as they faced each other OF
h the stage when the curtain had runi
. down
g Hell come yet" said Miss Casey
h with fgmness. Maybe his trains late
q this heavy snow would stop anything
Il and il he comes and finds the thente
. dark when the third net ought TO b
/ on, wouldn't give much for the tick
:. cts he'd give you TO get home on"
There was logic in this. but The SC
, prano pierced il.
% "How do you know his train ism
h in ?" she inquired with dignity and
i look at the interfering soubrette tha
r. would have silenced her had she nc
% been Miss Casey with much dependin
J. on her.
7. "Send the stage manager 10 the boS
d office telephone TO see about H." pu
r. in the contralto.
i How do you know what road he
,s en-? There are half a dozen or mor'
IL He may be on his way here row iu
+ cahl He may step on the stage an
va minute and find everyone refusin :
~ 70 on instead of dressin' as we shcnll
~ ANY minute he may be rushiu' IN,
sayl" Miss Casey was excited int
the vernacular Her words tumble
over each other and even those fami
lie lar with the go she put into her song
re and dances would have been surprise
p at the energy she put into her pros
n ress TO the dressing-room. II SCENE
is TO sweep the whole flank Of chorus cir
G. with il.
4, Bring my beer" said the basso I
d. the call boy, as his eyes followed Mis-
d Casey's figure. Clearly be meant I
or sing the third act.
IL The tenor. the soprano and the eel
e tralto looked al each other and the
n AT their retreatiug colleagues.
81 Presently the stage-hands. vho ia
C. been interested auditors. began TO -
lie the scene for the third act.
Miss Casey was back in an inSrst