The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06
rPubiished by Special Arrangement
OOR FRILLERS
By
P E CY w III E .
Copyright, 1907, by Percy white.l

''out at elbows" The population had be-
come too small for the town, which had a
past recorded in the local guide books, and
a medieval crumbling Tudor structure,
known as the Guild Hall, where entertain
ments' were occasionally given. 1t was
In this encouraging hlstrionic center that
the Cartrew Comedy Company descended
to play the well-known farcical comedy of
Little Johnnie" as the dripping bills on
the walls OF the deserted tannery an
nounced for one night only"
] The train was late, and the company
! reached the Guild Hall In a bad temper,
a couple of hours before the performance.
Cartrew syore helplessly. The skinny
scenery refused to adjust itself TO the mar
row stage. He swore and shouted for Fril-
lers. Where's that confounded fellow?"
he asked.
When he learned that his secretary had
taken Miss Vernon's baggage to her lodg-
ings his wrath increased, and he observed
that Frillers wasn't paid to act as Miss
Vernon's footman." The company almost
smiled. in spite of it's detection. when Fril-
lers appeared on the stage in time to hear
this offensive statement.
Whilst Cartrew went TO make UP as Lit
tie Johnnie, Frillers worked with the car
penters till some vague and dusty scenic
order emrged from the chaos.
Miss Vincent called him. Il don't know
what on earth to do, Mr.. Frillers." said
she. plaintively; 1.-THE rains coming into
my room"
Then Frilers hurried W a dark and ILL
I odorous passage to the rescue.
You might have got me something bet
ter than this" she complained, opening
a woTm-eaten door leading 10 d fetid cup.
board. where the tallow candle threatened
10 set light TO the shelf above 1t, and a
cracked mirror leered paralytically at the
plaster peeling from the damp walls.
"'Tis damp" he admitted.
Damp she retorted. 1T isn't ft for
chickens. And who can make up with
such a glass as that?"
Never mind" said Frillers, "I'n see what
1 can do"
Then he hurried down the narrow. creak-
ing stairs. and returned with a hand mir
ror, snatched from the table OF the lead
ing lady. and several pieces of brown paper,
which he pinned over the reeking walls.
That's all I can dc at present" he said
apologetically. land lucky it is for one
night"
Blu Miss Vernon was too deeply occu-
pied with her rouge TO thank him.
A quarter Of an hour later Frillers
glanced dismally from behind the curtain
at the thinnest house to which even the
Cartrew Comedy Company had ever played
In the front seats. priced at two shillings
a few young ladies in sailor hats, accom-
panied by young men. We're scattered over
the benches, but the gaps between the
couples only made the sense OF emptiness
more oppressive. In the shilling places
were a couple OF dozen cherries towns.
people. nursing wet umbrellas. while. al
the far end OF the hall. a score or so OF
country lads were cracking nuts and ex.
changing banter In the rustic local dia.
lect.
There's not five pounds in the house.'
sighed Frillers. as he came TO the end OF
his mental arithmetic.
The other members Of the company a,se
realized the thinness Of the harvest. ant
thought with bitterness OF their unpaid sal
aries. But the orchestra 1.-TWO violins. Z
piano and a corneO plunged reckIessly ints