Evening journal., 1899-05-15
A Theater Diplomat
By William Armstrong


IT HE first act was almost over when
the tenor. the soprano and The
contralto got together IN the wings
and decided II The manager failed TO
arrive as he sad telegraphed and set
tie up the payroll. now overdue. they
would not sing the opera out.
When the news spread, as Il qulcl,ly
did. the chorus with slight disscpt
agreed in the plan. Many Of them had
been stranded before and the prospect
was far from exhilarating but the
chance Of getting even in some small
way had the pleasure Of novelty. The
plan was in consequence taciily 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
IL inlPerson no doubt was left in The
minds Of those concerned as 10 what
course he would pursue.
Faces that few nom ents before had
appeared anxious now grew bright al
the prospect OF excitement.
The audience in front, not bad one
as the audiences Of the new opera went.
was in ignorance of the projected sur
prise.
The soubrette. usually ,he most in
consequent member Of the company.
alone was depressed.
Il tell you you don't know what you
are about. AZ long is people think you
are engaged whether you get your
money or not. there's a chance thai
they'll trust You. but il they know the
csmpany's disbandcd there's no more
chance about IT," AS in the world at
large the voice OF the philosopher went
unheeded
Not disconnected the s0ubrette
spread out her costume for the third act
on the steam radiator and left the door
Of her dressing-room wide open that
all might see as they passed by. Clear
ly she was not with the majority.
But Miss Casey had more al stalk,
than the majority. She was engaged
10 Victor Laquine, tenor in the chorus
They were to be married in the spring
and would 60 into vaudeville in a hap
Ply domestic way.
A disbanding of the company OF
Christmas eve and their first engage
ment together booked for a summer
garden in May made scarcely pleas
ing prospect.
engagements that year had beel
hard enough 10 get at any time AM
in mid-season would be scnrcest Of all
At the very best it meant diiTeren
companies and separation, and that 81
turn meant good-by TO matrimony ant
vaudeville. Miss Casey had been en-
4 gagged before, she knew the sex.
On the stage the company guyed eac
other and the audience as only an M
paid company can.
Miss Casey alone was too preoccu
pied to pay any attention to It. NOV
and then she cast her eyes towar
the rear Of the theater hoping TO sc
the managers fur-declSed oyercoat NOV
ing about behind the last row Of seatl
Il knew he wouldn't comet" ever
one said as they faced each other @
the stage when the curtain had run
down.
Hell come yet" said Miss Case!
with firmness. Maybe his trains late
this heavy snow would stop anything
aud If he comes and finds the theate
dark when the third act ought TO D
on. 1 wouldn't give much for the ticl
els he'd give you TO get home on"
There was logic in this. but the 81
prano pierced IL.
How do you know his train ism
imp she iaquired with dignity and
e look at the interfering sonbrette ths
would have silenced her. had she nj
been Miss Casey with much depeudin
on her.
"Send the stage manager to the DO,
office telephone TO see about it," pI
o in the contralto.
"How do you know what road he
i On? There are half a dozen or NOR
i He may be on his way here now in
cabl lie may step on the stage an
u minute and find everyone refusin' {
: 20 on instead of dressin' as we shoul
3 Any minute be may be rushin' in,
;. sayi" Miss Casey was excited in'
: the vernacular. Her words tumble
]. over each other and even those FAM
Jar with the go she put into her SOM
: and dances would have been surprise
I. CT the energy she put into her pro
Il ress 10 the dressing-room. 1t SCENE
E 10 swet p the whole flank Of chorus CIR
Il Nith.it.
7 ''llring my beer said the basso
d s.c call boy. as his eyes followed Nj
tAsey's figure. Clearly he meant
i ling the third act.
!. The tenor. the soprano and the co
3, .raltc looked at each other and th'
Il IT their retreating colleagues.
70 Presently the stage-hands. who nj
n 'sen interested auditors. began TO S
= the scene FOR the third act.
Miss Casey was back in an incre