New-York tribune., 1900-04-01
LEAF OUT OF AN AcToR's LIFE.
ONLY BLANK PAGE. AFTER ALL. But THE RI,
PORTER WAS DULY IMPRESSED.

ONLY A BLANK PAGE AFTER ALL But THE RE-
PORTER WAS DULY IMPRESSED.
Up to the brilliantly lighted front OF we'll
known theatre rumbled many cabs. depositing
women richly gowned and men of proud bearing
Other patrons in jangling cable cars stlll
others walked. but with firm, quick step. conscious
of the fact that they pleasure bent. The
diffident reporter did not walk quickly and ne was
not erect. He crept slowly into the side street
and paused trembngly before a panel. on which
in faded letters of green he read the words. stage
Door" About to enter that sacred portal. he was
overcome with strange emotion He had been
sent for an interview with the heavy leading man.
and his heart thumped like steam pump with
excitement Ill suppressed. Finally. summonng
courage he pushed back the door and went IN.
The street the garish light and the world outside
faded away. but substantial reality stood before
him and blocked his path. 1t the stage door
''Wot yer want?" he asked.
The reporter had heard something Of the autoc-
racy of those who stand between the real and the
mimic world, and his reply given with all
Difference.
II want to Mr.. Heavylead, he said. IF you
please"
HE amt here yet" was the
At this point a young man In a purple coat, who
standing by, glanced at the clock and almost
had A.. That, by the way, would have improved
the coat
"Heavens" he shouted. "Heavylead not ere yet.
We cawnt ring up. Why didn't you tell me. deah
boy?' He rushed wildly up the stairs mo-
ment later he came back and said it was all a
mistake: the leading about to make his
first entrance.
When can 1 see him?" asked the reporter.
The young man in the purple coat who
varies the duties of ea9oy with mnf sa s6d Of
one of the acts paused used in thought Then MS eyes
when yon long hand" he said. hath twice
described the circuit of the hours come again:
Perhaps the bells were striking but he heard them
ingenus glanced down upon him: laughing sou;
brettes seemed to be guying & ms @ snyFfes5 f ana ana
thckly pictured walls: But he cared not for those
mute m e f6 thing An actress With an aure
ole of auburn hair rushed wildly % out to the stage
send quick and get me- some potash lozenges.
LETT Lett my my pocRetbook upstairs. viii You send
once?' ,u.o, ..,, =, ,,o,,,, 1rbo,,
she had departed he lighted his pipe lesurey then
after long called % SS ang sen e Gu Ior HE
passed beneath skies through lanes of paris
dressing room
The great man was struggling with a refractory
What can do for you me boy, boy he asksd @
leading man mad been summoned in supplementary
proceedings on account of an unwillingness TO pay
'Tis base falsehood" quoth the actor: "a fabri-
oppressed ibis brain And how much do they say
"Oh. bah! paltry sum Dost think I would be
sued for such trihe?'
The actors stock went up and the reporter was
correspondingly abashed 'It is further said'
added the latter. that when the lawyer examined
you you asserted that your only assets were a dog
and a watch. Or did you say Watchdog
1t seemed that the actors great wealth might
iced Watching.
Neither said the leading IT have
been summoned. nor yet examined" He toyed
Bas T his and dlo added bnh oaeh
of carmine to the corners.
Then he asked: "Prithse. did they aught else
about me?'
Yes. the unfeeling reply. they said that
you questioned whether it full blooded
dog. and you said you supposed so-that 1t bled
freely when cut
THAT was a cruel Jest. I would not cut friend
much less dog. Dear me! How stories growP
Asked II he finally, emphatically and entirely de-
MED the story in general and each and every par
ticular detail, the actor said that he did And
from in front of the curtain came note, swelling
into volume of sound that waited up TO the
dressing room, gradually shaping itself into that
plaintive melody, You Told Me You Had Money
in the Bank
And the reporter, abashed and crestfallen. skunk
silently into the street.