The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-08
A MINUTE BEFORE IL.
BY CARLTON TAYLOR ELLBURY.

ID OAIk1 1ON ~ 1OIk
Copyright, 1901, by Authors Syndi-
cate)
The manager of the Dramatic Book
ing Agency, Mr.. Horace Duckworth,
was seated at his desk resplendent in
a red vest with plaids so large that
there were but very few in the whole
garment-a dropping black mustache
fiashy diamond shirt stud, making up
the type of man that one almost ex-
poets to see in such surroundings.
Seated outside on the benches were a
number of aspirants for theatrical
honors. They too, were typical of the
cheaper vaudeville houses-red rib
bons. feather boas and soiled finery
galore. There was one woman, though,
who would have attracted your at
tention, so contrasted was her manner
and appearance from the rest; she
seemed to stink away as if she felt her
superiority and regretted the necessity
of having to associate with the others.
A tall, dignified gentleman came up
the stairway and sent his card in to
Duckworth. No sooner had Duckworth
read the name than he hastend to
greet the owner, as he recognized him
as on of New York's smart set
prodigals.
What I want, the stranger was
saying, lis a dancer for tonight. You
know of my approaching marriage to
Old Banker Lewton's daughter and
am going to give the boys littli time;
something spicy, You know; not quite
so bad as that affair of Seeley's that
you attended to, but on that style"
All this conversation was carried on
in the inner office, but loud enough
for the djgnifed woman, so much in
contrast to her surroundings. to hear
the whole of it. When Dick Turpen, the
leader of the cotillon, had first appear
cd on the scene, she mad dropped her
veil and stood aside as he left the
office. When he had gone Duckworth
motioned her to enter.
II suppose you are still seeking
position in a heightened dramatic COM
pany." said the agent.
She blushed, and seemed instructive
ly to shrink from the man, but re-
piled: II am anxious to get some
thing to do, but oil those other chances
that you offered NEWELL Just could
not do It. that's all. have a little boy,
you know and 1t would be too bad
for Dick to know that his mother was
DOMINIC tights. No cannot do that"
While she had been commenting in
this hesitating manner an impatient
lock had come into Duckworth's face.
MY dear madam, you must under
stand sooner or later that the vaude-
Vile profession, particularly the type
for which l am agent, and this mod
esty do not go together. The people
want novelties. Frenchy acts are the
rage you know, and it is utterly Inn
possible for me to secure you anything
whatever IS long as you maintain these
hitalutin ideas. For instance" he con-
unued. young Turpen, who was lust
In here, Is going to give a farewell
dinner tonight TO a lot of his sporty
young friends of the four hundred
He wants to get some one TO do a turn
there tonight. something sensat ional.
He Is willing to pay 800 and commits
sions. OF course they do not want an
elocutionist TO recite 'Gray's Elegy' or
'Curfew Shall Not Ring To- Night
What they want is something spicy"
peculiar look passed over the face
of Eleanor Clay as she stood facing the
agent you telephone Mr.. Turpen
that you will have a performer who
will create the greatest sensation Of his
life; that his guests will be astounded:
that the papers will TEEN with II. AZ
he likes. or IL win be kept perfectly
quiet. l Will appear at twelve o'clock"
That's right" said Turpen. won
are beginning TO talk like a sensible
person. You are just the party for this
affair. You are not st all bashfuL