The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1903-10-09
DeadwOod
Copyright, 1903, by Daily Story Pub. COZ
Charles H. Day

M3z4@H2&< zEAx
/ Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
RYANT thought it quite funny
n when he put at the top OF
ms letterheads stipulation in regard
to the size of performers dressing
room and hotel trunks and the condi-
tons: Trunks at hotels twice a
week. No dogs or guns carried. No
| deadwood permitted" In spite OF
Bryant's rule and resolution he did
have to carry some deadwood, and II
came about through the necessity OF
engaging an equestrienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was sdespised by artists
and managers alike. Stolid and mer-
| cenary, he had a eHticle like rhinoe-
eros and when the comments of others
reached his ears he laughed at the un-
| complimentary criticisms, when man
of finer feelings would have blushed
for very shame.
One spring Bryant found himself at
| very late day minus that all impor-
| tant feature, lady rider, as already
stated. Several had applied, been
turned down and put off, or, better
said, bluffed in the standard Bryant
| way. Now that the man was in a
pinch he did not advertise or confide
his imperative necessity to his agents,
but doggedly declared obtusely:
1.-The show will go out, rider or no
rider
One afternoon he had a caller 1t
was Flora Ervine, rider of repute and
physical charms, and to the managers
astonishment her mission was to Sc
cure an engagement.
Il thought you was engaged?" said
Bryant, as soon as the visitor made
known her errand.
II Cancelled" was the reply.
Because"
Because | am married"
"Oh, ho!" exclaimed Bryant, mis-
trusting the reason of the cancella-
ton. rs your husband in the bust
ness?"
The equestrienne bit her lip before
she answered, hesitated while Bryant
looked upon her with something be-
tween a glare and grin:
MY husband is not in the bust
ness"
Il thought as much" blurted Bryant
coarsely, and then ne quickly recov-
cred himself and remarked apologet-
icaily: Excuse me-"
An awkward pause followed, the Wis
itor quietly breaking the ice anew:
81 learned that you were without a
rider and thought would call"
The manager cut her off with the
blunt statement:
Il don't carry any deadwood with
my trick, l don't"
"Deadwood!" repeated the eques-
trienne
"Y-e-s," drawled the manager.
Dead wood, deadwood!" With that |
he pushed a letterhead into his callers |
hands, with his finger indicating the |
conditions.
Then might as well be going"
observed the equestrienne By the |
time thai she had gained her feet he |
had interposed request for her to |
remain:
Wait leetle."
Bryant was not fool enough to throw |
away last chance, and he fastened to
say, with an effort to conciliate:
"P'raps we might make a decker an
include the-the-er your husband; |
that Is, if you make the figure right
Foxy Bryant never lost sight of the
dollar) 'Twould lie lard to spoil your
honeymoon, wouldn't it? Ha, hal"
(the visitor smiled not). Bryant
leered and chuckled. I'm wiGower,
you know. but l never dreamt that
you had an idea of matrimony."
The visitor looked grave and offend
ed whereat the manager ceased his
distastoful banter and proceeded to
business, a deal was made, and 1t is
scarcely necessary to state that Bryant
took considerable advantage of the
situation. AS the equestrienne was de-
parting with her contract the manager
remarked:
II here that while your husband Is
with the show he will pick up some.
thing of the trade and not be excess
baggage all the season."
When Milton Folsom came on with
his wife for rehearsals be got the cold
shoulder both from the manager and
the performers. Even the animal
keepers, grooms, canvasmen and
pointed him out as Flora
Erv.ne's deadwood. The performers
were especially severe in their COM
ments. Said the first singing clown,
the oracle Of the dressing-room:
why, the chappic don't know
enough TO even keep up her horses"
"Or groom them" added grotesoue
who always confirmed the oraclo's
opinions.