The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

Sou Out Ior INC pdTk you eeo-Dut We atr1ve To live
up to the traditions Of the Dray-ma and don't
feel like cutting him out altogether Now, his
first entrance--
well, no got out prompt book and for an
hour he drilled Count Paris into me-
regarded the whole proposition out OF the Tail Of
my eye, but had that breakfast in me- and ]
wasn't going TO take TO the cactus and leave the
man who had provided II Count Parishes
After the boss ham got through with me- the
whole bunch went over TO the op'Ty house which
was kind OF q Hibernian Hall layout over a
drug store, and We rehearsed. Well say, was
pretty bnd-Im not trying to dodge that-but II
was standoG and play the high card 1t was a
split between me and the rest of EN-. The only
difference was that they know their lines and
l didn't OF all the-wol that James Owen
O'Connor bunch that we had back here in New
York twelve or thirteen years ago wasn't one.
two three How they'd ever got as far away
from Kansas City. where they'd organized as
Minock, without being cabbaged and egged into
tho railroad hospitals along tho line, had mo
guessing and my finish began to loom up before
me. But as say. I'd broken bread with the
main guy, and, at that there were two days
meals and a ten spot in sight for my two Count
Paris stunts, and couldn't pass tho game up.
got the counts lines by six o'clock that evening
so could say them backward and translate them
into Plattdeutsch as went along, and when
put on the uniform and stood In the wings wait
ing to go on, felt fit to put UP the scrap OF my
lie. l thought was trained TO a hair. Well. l
tripped in going on. which kind Of bad break
seeing that landed on the scene-which by the
way, looked as much like Verona as Pell street
does head foremost lay there waiting for em
TO count the ten seconds on me and carry me TO
my corner. when got poked with a pole from
behind. and then got up and started in with my
little spiel Say, even the jays in front-there
were about 800 of 'cm-got up and hoered 1T
must ha' been funny for them, and that's fact
but for me 1t was just the merry garrotc and moth
ing else in life Their bowls choked me off and
made mo forget all those carefully -memorized
lines The main guy stood in the Wings tearing
out hunks of his pompsdour Romeo wig and
bawling my lines at me, and. finally, amid the
yowls of oil the farmers in front got a harpoon
into the lines and Just ran away with EN-. l
spat EN- all out like phonograph that's working
under a pressure Of 1000 amperes and some odd
volts and then bolted. I was a FROST felt that
Great my boy!' said the boss ham. patting
me on the shoulder You're great! You're a
wonder! You're engaged for forty-two weeks
just one or two more rehcarsals. and you'll be a
tower of strength and steel stanchion! Just
a few little craggy edges TO be rubbed off at re.
heasal and you'll
Il looked him over carefully TO see whether he
was insane or Just guying me, but he averted my
suspicious by shaking my hand like a pump
handle and then rushing on 70 do his own little
stunt
Il pinchcd myself to find out whether I'd been
fooling with yen-hok, but there was Count
Paris, and a holy show, all right all right
The rest otthat nights all dream. All l can
remember of II is the wild tumult of the hayseeds
out in front every time showed up, and the main
ham shaking my mitt and telling ME what a wonder
Twas
when, In the patent insides Minonk pape,
Isaw tho next morning that criticism that had
started To read to you, naturally reflected that.
after all, despite the boss hams encouragement,
might not be altogether spectacular success
as an interpreter of the Bard. aud | told Romeo
that was going TO pass my job up-that no mortal
coin could ever bride mo TO tog out in the Count
Paris rig again.
The man who wrote that criticism. said the
main guy, solemnly, has about as much of an
idea Of the inner. occult meaning Of the Dray-m
as the mound builders had Of long-dlstance tclc-
phones My boy. the house Is sold out for to-nigh,
$50 pat-and If you desert us now we're ruined
absolutely ruined! Come ahead, now and III
Just put you on to how that second scene ought &c
here
well. he was pretty good con man. and he
nailed me for that positively last and final appear
ance. He told me that this was his last show
on earth to haul down a few dollars, and that 4
would be just plain granddaughter II went back
on him. Then we had eleven drinks Of corn
liquor together. and when got those beneat tn my
belt was ready for any old thing.
$50 went on again. The house was packed
The audience was deadly quiet until went on
and then-well, you'd never suppose that one
State could produce so many invalid eggs passe
turnips and cabbages that had seen better day.
as sailed right in my direction when popped out
l didn't get hit at all l was foxy enough TO b,
looking for something like that and bobbed bach
into the wings when saw the first haysccd stanc
up In the orchestra and give the signal The Pei
street scene got the whole shower. The thre
handed orchestra struck up tune. but didn'
wait TO hear the finish Of II hadn't lost any or
chcstra tunes l took a walk out in my Coun
Paris clothes to see how the evening was holding
up and heard the rumbling OF freight in tn
distance The freight slowed up in passing
through Minonk and I made 1t stick all right
! wasn't thinking how was going to look unde
the mellow sunlight Of the next morning in those
red tights and tho 'Visigoth tunc.' All wantet
| to do was to vacate Minonk
81 left the freight at Peoria at o'clock the mex
| morning, and at dawn. while was lowering Of
| the outskirts of the town. got lift from mede
| cine fakr who was Just driving into Peoria in hi
peramhulating pharmacy. lie told me aftcrwar,
that II was his first idea, when he me plough
| ing along the road TO shoot mo full OF holes, blu
| upon getting good look at my makeup he hai
concluded that he could use me in his business
| He did use me. stood up beside him In his Wagon
logged out in that Count Paris rig, and servo
out medicine for him for a month l attracte
| trade for him. People came miles to me. Tn
fakir gave me another suit TO wear while off duty
hut he insisted on the red cotton tights and tn
| Visigoth tunic while he was peddling corn salv
| and stuff from his wagon. He wanted me TO cove
| the whole State OF Illinois with him whom We ha
finished Peoria but passed and no paid me Oft.
"The trouble with me. when was on the stage
was that didn't become welded to my art"
| Mule Resents a Bath.