The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-06

can imagine, until we remember the aw-
ful exhaustion, the dreadful reaction.
WHlch follows violent efforts. The story
OF ms readings is the story of seepless
nights With terrific applause still ring
ing in the readers ears. mingllng often
enough with the roar of the train rush
ing through the night Then it was
Dolby who usetFtos carry him off to The
sea Tor a Whit of the briny. 1t VS.
Do!by who used to provide cold eolll-
tons and tho best of drinks fol those
night journeys. AZ some of the bigger
cities the excitement to hear him was
so great that Dolby used to leave the
genteei pait is Of the house and stem ''the
shilling tide" It was Dolby who kept off
too pressing callers. There was a poet
for instance. s who had christened his.
child after Dickens, and haunted HIM
THE READINGS IN AMERICA.
Such was the enthusiasm which led to
the final and fatal series of readings in
America. Offers came fast and furious
and at last his friends, Forster and Willis.
held consultation with Dickens and Dol
by as to the advisablity of accepting the
proposals. They voted against them on
the ground of health and strength. But
Dolby was dispatched to America to see
tire ground, for Dickens had determined
to run the readings himself, notwith-
standing the buzzing spectators who
had been Overwhelming him with Of
fers. Have no fears that anything
will induce me to make the experiment., -
he writes, ''if I do not see the most
forcibie reasons for believing that what
I could get for il, added to what I have
got, would leave me with suffice
fortune. The prize looks enormous
Dolby said Yes" and the result was
mont hS of <l1nh eyoitipr Scooac bova
never been equaled for enthusiasm.
Immense trains of people would stand
outside the booking Office for hours in
the freezing snow on the chance of get
ting seat.
The Americans. for all he had CRITICS.
ed them so sharply, read him more than
the English Millions of them treasured
every word he had written He had COM
planned bitterly of the American pirates
who had stolen his books. The hom-
age and streams of sterling gold that
were now thrown at him were the ar
rears. 1t was Dolby who fought the
spectators who made corners in tick
cts for the readings. He actually made
money at the rate OF Ell 300 pounds q
week and the Spectators made a hand
some thing out Of it, Although no one
could buy more, than six tickets, of
course they employed others to buy for
them, and then ran the prices up. Great
indignation was the result, and Dolby
was the man who was, aphorically
speaking, tarred and feathered in the
daily papers.
Fhe scenes at the booking Offices al
most transcribed belief. The pay place
we give one mstance-was to open at
O'Clock on Wednesday morning, and
at midnight on Tuesday long line of
spectators were assembled Ell queue; at
fbn mo uni, forr II ooh
buyers begun tosarriVe at o clock there
were. of all classes, two lines of not less
than $40 each; at clock there were at
least $500 persons IN TIE two lines; at
o'clock each line was more than three
quarters of mile in length Members
of families relieved each other in the
queues; walters flew across the streets
aud squares from the neighboring res
taurants, to serve parties who were tax
ing their breakfast in the open Decem-
Der air, while excited persons offered s.
or $40 for the mere permission 10 eX
change places with other persons stand
ing neater the head of the line.
TROUBLES OF DOLBY.
As the fever grew Dolbys task got
still more difficult. The Spectators used
to come with mattresses, whisky and
1ood, and camp by his office. One night
the crowd actually made a bonfire in the
street, 1t was so cold. The police inter
tered, and a general fight took place
IN the morning, when Dolby appeared
was ,saluted with Hello, Dolby! So
Charley has let you have the carriage,
has he, Dolby?
How is he, Dolby? Don't drop the tex
cts, Dolby! Look alive, Doiby,' In e
midst of which he got to business and
Gcncluoed, as usual, by giving complete
dissatisfaction Mr. Dolby lad more Sc
rious troubles. He had to keep a harp
eye on the master who called forth this
extraordinary enthusiasm. On the after
room noon, Of his biz thday, for instance,
friend cropped in and found Dickens Gov
cred with mustard poultfees and voice
less lie turned TO Dolby and said: Sure
~, Dolby, 1t is impo sib'e that lie can
read tonight" Said Dolby 81 have told
Mr. Dickens so four times today, and [
nave been very anxious. But you have
no idea how he will change when he get,
to the little table, 1t was Dolby, though.
who was as tender as a woman and as
Watchful as doctor. He even sat by
ms side when he was reading, and kept
his eye on him all the time 1t was Dol
ny VINO got so confused with his mani
fold duties that he once sent an adyer-
tisement in these astonishing terms to
the papers:
The. reading will be comprised within
two minutes, and the audience are ca ~
estly entrea ted to be seated ten hours
before its commencement
But it was Do by who counted the
money, which was the most interesting
Of all his duties. His own commission
was 93,OO0! The expenses were about
$4,000. Dici ems net seward was 6 o.
w. The whole set pto 'uced over $50 OBJ
But they killed Rim, and pr or Dolby d es
not seem to have benefited much by his
honorarium