Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-06-23


Texan Of much reputation among the
ranks Of amateurs. He was tall, well
built chap of 81 OF %, possessing one of
those peculiar voices such as Hal Mon.
tagues, not ranty, strong, but plain, dis
tinct and pleasant-in all well qualified
for the rendering m juvonile leading parts,
took to the youngstcr from the start,
for plainly saw that he was one Of those
talented chaps who, II they fall into judi
cious hands, can be made much of as well
as spoiled If they come In contact with old
stagers.
For some time back had noticed that
the heavy man had been smitten with the
charms Of our leading lady. also saw
that she did not favor him in the slight
est When her part made 10 necessary Tor
her to come in contact with him, | saw
shrinking as of more than feigncd disgust,
and off tho stage she treated him pretty
much the same as on-with scorn and
toathing.
Will, n short time after the new lead
ing m an came there sprang up between
him and the heavy man all enmity was
standing in the wings one night waiting
for my cue while We were playing one OF
those good old fashioned melodranas-
to win the good graces, fortune and hand
Of the fair one and all that sort by I'M
demanded ways Discovery Of the false
friend and secret foe follows, and the usual
duel takes place. or course the traitorous
foe falls, and the curtain drops while the
victor clasps the fair one to his breast.
was waiting my cue, as | said The
handsome young leading man was bend
tb.,1 laIv hiS In nd Gnar RI h.
ing for hers, her face against his. was
watching all this, and l saw 1t was more
than stage love. 1t was the genuine, pure
article 1t was my business to rush In
Just then and thus cause great deal of
commotion. l heard muttcrcd, Curse
bimp l turned quickly. 1t came from
the lips OF the heavy man, who was stand
ing Mt nv elbow. Such a look of lendish-
ness upon human face l never before
saw, and as his was ugly by nature with
out the added features of the make up he
looked indeed like devil
The play passed off smoothly, as usual
The hero and traitor met, the duel took
place and the regular denoucment fol-
lowed amid the applause of AN apprcciative
and satisfied audience.
! kept my eyes open after that, for I
(
destined, II possible, to work wrong
against the young leading man, who by
this time had become a prime fayorite
among the members of the stock company
the heavy man excepted.
About week after had witnessed the
villains rage, happening to pass by his
dressing room door l heard q muflled,
clinking sound, as OF some metallic sub
! eto,,o, ,nr,ip,r in cnptnct with tho like
drew nearer, placed my eye to the koyhole
and pccped through. The man was seated
within the range of my vision upon q
! trunk, pistol between his knees, and he
was ramming bullet into the barrel.
1t was all as plain as day. The fiend
was preparing to murder the handsome
I 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 dreamed
! that the pistol was loaded. was thun-
/ dcrstruck. | knew the fellow was a mo-
rose person, a man of strong dislkcs and
| few likes, but did not think him capable
Of such a dastardy deed as he contem
! plated. Thank heaven had witnessed
! the little scene behind closed doorsl
Hearing his call from the callboy,
withdrew behind some packing trunks
and soon heard him treading the boards
/ above. knew that he would remain on
some time. so l went into his dressing
room and quickly withdrew the bullet
! from the pistol. Then went to my post
above and found the play progressing
smoothly as usual.
l. never saw the leading man do as we'll
As for the leading lady she was accept
! Ing his love with word, glance and sweet
gestures which told plainly that she was
in earnest. He was making real love to
her; yes, sir, such love as you do some
times sec ON the boards We old stagcrs
can tell the difference between downright
| love and the make believe article every
| time.
When the rivals met In the duel scene. I
/ can assure you was more than an anx-
ious spectator. He, the hero, met the
muzzle Of the rival with the same cool de-
mcanor as hitherto. wondered would he
appear as cool, as brave, had he known Of
the scene behind the doors
The face of tho villain was a perfect pic
ture of hcllish ferocity, and never before
knew how much of q mans evil nature
could be depicted upon his features. Tho
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
upon his rivals smiling face Then a
tx,f,, -. III