Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-24
DeadwoOd

BY
Charles II. Day

GopynghL is5. b. Daily story Pub. Coz
BRYANT thought it quite funny
ID when he put al the top of
his l%etterheads a 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
Bryants rule and resolution he did
have TO carry some deadwood. and il
came about through the necessity Of
engaging an equestrienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was despised by artists
and managers alike. stolid and mer-
cenary, he had a cuticle like a rhinoc-
eros and when the Of others
reached his ears he laughed at the I'm
complimentary criticisms. when a man
OF finer feelings would have blushed
for very shame.
One spring Bryant found himself at
a very late day minus that all impor-
tant feature. a lady rider, as already
stated. Several had applied, been
turned down and put of. or. better
said. blufied in the standard Bryant
way. Now that the man was in a
pinch he did not advertise or conhde
his imperative necessity TO his agents.
but doggedly declared obtusely:
THE show will go out. rider or no
rider
One afternoon he had a caller. II
was Flora Ervine, a rider OF repute and
physical charms. and to the managers
establishment her &lssion 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. hol" exclaimed Bryant. mis-
trusting the reason OF the cancella-
ton. rs your husband in the busi-
ness?"
The equestrienne bit her lip before
she answered. hesitated while Bryant
looked upon her with something be-
tween a glare and a grin:
MY husband is not in the bust
ness"
Il thought as much blurted Bryant.
coarsely, and then he quickly recov-
cred himself and remarked apologet-
ically: Excuse me-"
An awkward pause followed, the Wis
itor quietly breaking the ice anew !
Il learned that you were without a
and thought | would call"
The manager cut her off with the
blunt statement: !
Il don't carry any deadwood with :
my trick. | don't"
"Deadwoodl" repeated the eques- !
Yes" drawled the manager. I
'Dead-wood, d~eadwood!" With that z
be pushed a letterhead into his callers E
hands, with his finger indicating the a
conditions.
Then | might as well be going" d
the equestrienne. By the
lime that she had gained her feet he n
lad interposed a request for her to s.
a.
Wait a leetle." X
blN dhN was hhN lbOA tAONEM 10 llloh
way a last chance, and he FASTENED to e
with an effort TO conciliate: u
"P'raps we might make a dicker an s
the-the-er your husband; :,
is, if you make the figure right. -
Foxy Bryant never lost sight OF the -
'Twould lie hard to spoil your -
oneymoon. wouldn't It? Ha. ha!" -
the rAgftnr gnaHNnI n,FA n-r... "a
sered and chuckled. I'm a widower. =
know. but | lever dreamt that -
had an idea OF matrimony."
The visitor looked grave and Offend :.
whereat the manager ceased his y
istasteful banter and proceeded to ~
usiness, a deal was made, and il is n
,arcely necessary to state that Bryant ~
considerable advantage of the ~
tuation. AS the equestrienne was de- -,
arting with her contract the manager "a
marked: he
Il hope that while your husband is vo
it'll the show he will pick up some ~
ling of the trade and not be excess "a,
lggage all the season" rea
When Milton Folsom came on with ae,
s wife for rehearsals be got the cold rer
both from the manager and the
e performers Even the animal anr
,epers, grooms. canvasmen and ed
.zorbacks pointed him out as Flora Err
deadwood- The performers her
ere especially severe in their com lin.
ents. Said the first singing clown. Al
e oracle of the dr~essing-room: wa
why, the chappie don't know ten
ough to even keep up her horses" Z"
"or groom them" added a grotesque ave
10 always confirmed the o~racle's "
s,yor. IA,