The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-10

cd husband to assert himself and grasp
the reins of home government, Wmch
resolved itself at last into a scoldlns
match, in which each tried to talk the
other down-with what result, you kno"
well without the telling.
The stage was set for morning-roohl'
with a table in the center spread WITH
breakfast for two; a chair at either slde'
and as 1t happened a foot-stool by mine.
His high silk hat and some papers, Also
were upon the table For some unexplain-
able cause, the silk hat has always been
recognized both by auditor and actor, as
a legitimate object of fun-making, so
when 1 absent mindedly dropped all my
toast crusts into that shining recepta-
Gle, the audience expressed Its approval
in laughter, and so started me on my
downward way-for that was my own
idea, and not a rehearsed one. When my
husband mournfully asked If there was
not one hot biscuit to be had" / deliber-
ately tried each one with the back OF my
kruckles and remarking, yes, here IL
Just one"-which was the correct line In
the play-I took it myself, which was not
in the play. And so we went on till the
scolding match was reached.
In my first noisy speech, / meant to
stamp my foot, but by accident, brought
il down upon the foot-stool. The people
laughed-I saw a point-I lifted the other
foot and stood upon the stool. By the
twinkle in Mr.. Setchelps eye, as well as
by the laughter in front, l knew / was
on the right track. He roared-he lifted
his arms above his head, and in my reply,
as / raised my voice, | mounted from
the stool to the seat Of the chair. He
seized his hat and with toast crusts fall
ing about his face and ears, damned 1t
on his head while in my last speech, with
my voice at its highest screech, / lifted
my foot and firmly planted IL upon tie
very breakfast table.
1t was enough-the storm broke from
laughter to applause. Mr.. Setcheil rad
another speech--one Of resigned acceptance
of second place-but as the applause con-
tinued, he knew it would be an anti-cli-
max and he signalled the prompter to
ring down the curtain.
But IL knew he ought to speak! /
was frightened-tears filed my eyes!
What is ~" / whispered, as l start
ed to get down.
stand stillw he sharply answered-thcn
added: ITS you, you funny little idiot;
you've made a hit. that's all!' and the
curtain fell between us and the laughing
crowd in front
The prompter started for me instantly
from his corner, exclaiming in his anger:
"Well of all cheeky devilment / ever
heard or saw" but Mr.. Setchell had him
by the arm in a second, crying: Hold
on. old man! 1 gave her leave-she he'd
nv pern@s sion. Oh, good Lord! did you
see that ascent of stool, chair and taDle2
Eth? ia! ha! ha!'
/ stood trembling Hike a jelly In a hot
day. Mr.. Setchell said: Don't be fright
ened, little girl! That applause was for
youl YOU won't be fined or scolded; you've
made a hit that's allv' and he patted me
kindly on the shoulder and broke again
into fat laughter.
/ went down to my room-I sat down
with my head I'm my hands. Great drops
OF sweat came out on my temples-my
hands were icy cold-my mouth dry--that
applause rang I'm my ears! A cold terror
seized upon me-a terror OF what-of the
publicl An, Il was a tender mouth, and u
was bitted and bridled al last. The reins
we're In the hands Of the public, and Il
would drive nowhere?
The publicl The public! ] had never
feared II before-bocause / had never real
lied its power. II ] pleased lti-well and
good II ] displeased I'll should be-
driven forth from the dramatical Eden
loved. IA which / hoped 20 learn 90 many
things theatrical and 20 become very wise
AMI l should wander all my lifo ia
the stony places OF poverty ana dis
epuolntnenti clenchod my haDds
and writhod IN misery a. the thought.
seemed again 10 hear that epDlauGe
which had been for me-my very self,
ana / thrilled "a IT, wild sweetnessi
An. the publicl II could msks o. a