The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-05-10
An Ideal
A Story of Two Playwrights
Who Loved Whom ?
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1t was an ideal collaboration. Every.
body said SO, and. in theatrical affairs.
everybody always knows. At the end of
the third act it was so evident that the
play was to be 4 success that the men left
off asking each other what the deuce the
author could know about the stage, AMI
the women decided that after all the color
Of the authoress' hair was much more
nearly auburn than red
The fourth act was good deal better
than the average fourth act. | put it in
that way because | don't wish to appear
fulsome, but, as a matter Of fact, it was
about as good in its way as the majority
Of fourth acts are bad When the final
curtain fell, the house became highly cX
cited, and it is pleasant to be able to state
that, despitesthe fact that they had paid
for their seats, the gentlemen in the gal
lcry behaved themselves quite nicely
The engaged couples from the suburbs and
stage stricken governcSScS in the upuer
circle would rather have died than move
from their places without having seen
the authors of the play; the true support
ers of the drama in the pit congratulated
each other on highly profitable evening;
the members of the profession in the cir
Gle determined to make the acquaintance
of the lucky young couple without delay;
the critics in the stalls felt sense of re.
lief at being able to say something really
nice. for a change, without wounding
their all too tender consciences. and the
friends Of the management in the boxes
Immediately hurried round to congratu.
late anybody and everybody, from the
leading lady to the Hebraic featured
barkers.
"And now" said the audience. they'll
be able to get married and live happily
ever afterward " For it was an opeD
secret-as open as most theatrical secrets
that these clever colaborators were en-.
gagged to each other and needed only the
money that a success would bring them
to set off at once for their honeymoon.
Perhaps this sentimental state of affairs
was partly the reason why large crowd
collected at the stage door to see the
dramatists come forth.
1t was rather nervous business for
them, getting into that hanson. but they
managed it without any sacrifice of dig
nifty. and the crowd had the satisfaction
of hearing the author give the cabman
an address in the direction of West Ken
sington.
ITS really awfully good of YOU" said
the authoreSs. as soon as they had turned
the first corner. ito see me such long
way home. Are you sure you don't mind,
Dickie?"
of course not, dear" said the author.
Feel tred?'
'Yes do now. But wasn't it splendid
the way our big scene caught on?"
Ripping! Fairly knocked 'em! But |
always knew it would. The difficulty
was to make any manager believe it."
"Oh. they're so stupid-all the ones who
refused it | mean. ] should think they'll
be rather sorry now"
you bet. | had three offers for our
next piece before left the theatcr"
And | had two That makes five al
together We shall have a monopoly Of
the comedy houses" and the clever little
woman leaned back in a corner of the cab
ana laughed happily
We'll" said the man. "now il has
come, kiddy, weIl make 'em pay. eh? /
feel that I've got lot to get back on this
sordid old city"
"Neyer mind" she said. gripping his
hand; you've got Your reward Mt last,
old boy. You can have everything you
want now"
"Er-yeS," he replied, clancing at hor
for moment. and then staring straight
in front of him over the horses hoaa.
There was a pause until May light a
cigarotte?" he asked rather neryously.
"Of course"
"Won't it, He indicated her "Trip
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