The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-27
REFOR~E TFTE GAI.E
by COLIN g COLLINS
Copyright, 1902, by the S. S. Mcclure Co

Copyright, 1902, by the S. S. Mcclure Co.
In his fury Bert Moore called the wrath of
heaven down upon the Beaconsvlle Dramatic
Society, which alone seemed responsible for
the misery which had overtaken him, and
when he had exhausted his supply of anath-
emas he buried his face in his hands and re-
viewed the whole wretched business.
Bess Ainsworth and he had been engaged
for year when the Dramatic society was
formed, and the pretty little cottage which
was to be their home was almost paid fo1
when Lorna: Alone in New York. was
produced at the Beaconsvile opera -house be-
fore "a large, cultured and appreciative audi
ence,' as the Weekly Clarion described it.
Bess' yivacity and meIodious voice, together
with a faint trace of natural dramatic ability,
had fairly captured the house. Again quoting
the Weekly Clarion: 1.-The role of Lorna could
not be improved upon. It's Interpretation by
Beaconsvilles Bernhard was a surprise even
to her most ardent admirers
The sensation produced by his sweetheart
filled Berts mind with uneasness and stifed
his pride in her accomplishments. 1t filled
the mind of T. Haworth Burnside with new
schemes and ambitions.
r. HaWortE Burnside's card in the dramatic
papers stated that he was lat liberty" They
did not add that the company with which he
had opened the season had stranded at Nor
gan, the county seat, twenty miles from Bea-
consvlle. Those of its members who had the
fare to Chicago counted themselves blessed
and started at once for the midwest haven
Those who lacked the price, Burnside among
| them fell back upon their wits and wrote t.
their nearest friends for assistance
1t was just at this time that the Beacons
Vile Dramatic Society had determined tc
produce Lorna Burnside, with well
! feigned reluctance, agreed to postpone hi
engagement with Chicago stock compan,
to coach the amateur Thespians of Beacons
vile. This would pay his board for a few
| weeks, and then perhaps something bette,
would turn up
The inspiration came with Bess Ainsworth
success. He again postponed his start fo
! Chicago and cultivated the acquaintance o
| his star and her unsophsticated aunt. H
| fascinated them with his experiences on tn
| road and his acquaintance with the great mel
! and women Of his profession, and kept Bes
| we'll supplied with dramatic publications. H,
coached her so assiduCuslY that she had NJ
! time for walks through the autumn wood
with Bert or for long talks in the front room
! with its embroidered tides and wax fruit
| She lost interest in The pile of household liner
which had been slowly gathering for year
| and when Bert talked about the little Gotta e
she replied with quotations from SHAKESPEARE
. In the meantime Burnside had written t
the manager OF repertory company heade
| toward Morgan as follows:
If you can make room in your company 70
a good light comedian and an ngenue | Cal
! fill the bill for you You know me. The cir
is darned pretty amateur, a bit gawky, blu
| is improving under coaching, and she's got
! tidy bit Of money, which would come il
handy if we struck hard lines up in Wscon
| sin. Let me hear from you.
! And from the manager came this:
Never mind if she's a bit gaWky if sh
has the dough- Grey has been playing ligh
comedies for me, but as he's been hitting tn
pipe again, I'll give him two weeks notice
and you and the girl join us at Morgan. w
play there one night, the 18th.
Burnside naturally did not read the lette
to Bess. He told her that he had an openin
in view for her. holding off the truth unit
the 10th, when he laid the proposition befor