The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-09-04
c o MIC S O N G

touched bottom. I was soaked to the
skin. My limbs were heavy, stiff from
exposure and tired from exertion.
What was / doing at Mudbury?
Looking for an engagement, Of course.
Business had been awfully bad, and
misfortune had followed me in what
soever direction | turned. l was hard
hit, I can tell you. When / pushed
open the door Of the Grapes l was
wrapped about with a wet blanket in a
double sense.
was in the bar parlor lingering over
q cup of tea-the small quantity Of food,
which was all my purse would allow
me, l had not been able to linger over
when the sound Of a banjo close at
hand attracted my attention. Looking
round to discover the player, l saw
close at my elbow a young man in a
dark suit Of fashionable tweed and
wearing a flame colored scarf adorned
with a SNOWY pin Of fantastic design.
ma, lads, how'd tina noise!'' shouted
q full, deep voice from a snug seat by
the fire as the banjoist struck up a
lively air and by help of a great deal of
shouting worked through a comic pat
ter" Of the lower music hall stamp.
Seized with a sudden impulse, 1 beg
ged the loan of the instrument and,
bowling to the room, sang a favorite
song of mine, love and Truth select
ing it as a contrast to the specimen we
had just listened to. | am a good sing
er, l will modestly admit, and the song
was a choice one. l was pleased to
note that, besides impressing the COM
pany, it brought both landlady and
barmaid into the room.
The song ended. l sat down. A low
rumbling began over by the window
and Immediately swelled into a loud
tumult.
The company clamored for an encore.
Gentlemen" I said, you must eX-
cuse me. l have an appointment to
keep. 1t will not detain me long, and
on my return I shall be happy to oblige
you"
"Mr. Vincent is engaged and says he
can't possibly see yer. No USE" said
the unsympathetic doorkeeper. glanc-
ing at the papers which l extended to-
ward him. He'd only chuck 'em at
my bloomin' 'ead an tell me l was
somethin' supplementary. When Char
lie Vincent say No he don't wrop it
up nice for yer. Yer don't want to arsk
for another"
ooh, managers always shake their
heads and frown at the great I'M
I~oorry, , , T ,,o1S>1 ,,,:lI.-. 49,
ton Of carelessness. Immediately add
ing in a coaXing voice, you'll take
these papers in to Mr.. Vincent, like a
good fellow" I gained my point, but,
alas
HE won't listen to nothin'. and he
won't look at nothin'.' was the reply.
Hes like the Irishman's pig-yer can
neither drive him, nor lead him, nor
make him stand still. But there" add
ed my friend, noticing the look Of de-
lection which my features unmistaka-
bly, assumed, Eyer see the comp'ny's all
booked fer Crissmas, and Mr.. Vincent's
that busy with hearsals an cetrar he's
been a-sleepin' here sim Sunday"
My last hope had failed me. The
blow stunned me. What should l do?
Do? Willy, go back to the Grapes, Of
curse. Wasn't there an audience there
impatiently awaiting me?
The worst had come, and, reckless Of
fate, | bade defiance to it. l meant to
sing and-beg.
In this mood l re-entered the Grapes.
Song. Song!.' shouted several voices
as made my way into the room.
Bowling my Acknowledgements and
accepting the ready assistance of the
banjo, l started off without prelude or
apology with "Castlebar," a roaring,
rafting COMIC which l had written
and composed some weeks previously,
but had never tried upon a public au-
dience.
Abandoning myself utterly to the
mad humor of the. thing, I sang with a
verve and vigor Which swept the audi
ence clean off their feet.
The song was received with enthusi-
asm and provoked the most frantic
demonstrations of delight. When 1
came to a stop cries of "'Core!' re-
sounded from all sides. had to go
through the whole business again alb
initio, the company taking up the cho-
rus with hearty good will and singing
Justify.
People crowded in from the bar, and
among the mob in the doorway l saw
distinctly the face of the manager Of
the Princes.
When at last l was permitted to sit
down Mr.. Vincent came forward and,
tanning me on tha shoulder intimatad
a desire to speak to m outside. Mrs.
Boniface requested us to consider her
parlor at our service.
"Look here" said the manager, COM
ing to the point at once, my names
Vincent-Vincent of the Princes. I
don,t know Whn vo1 ara or what Won