Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-03-31


eyes got husband yetY
These questions were very cmbarrass
Ing, and l should have been greatly -Ss
to for an answer, but Martha came to
my assistance.
well, look here, Mr.. Fitzwalton."
she said with a sign to me; master
Silas has got some very particular busi-
ness on hand just now that obliges him
to be cautious, so l know you'll excuse
him answering your questions for day
or two"
"Oh. l don't want to pry into any
body's secrets" retorted Josiah, with
something of pique in his tone.
There was an awkward silence for
some minutes, during which | discussed
my breakfast, with the embarrassing
sensation that the Professor" as l af-
forwards heard he liked to be called,
was sharply scrutinizing me.
1t was impossible for Josiah to keep
silent for any length of time, or~to re-
frain from talking about himself. So,
in spite Of my reticence, he soon put me
in possession of the whole of his his
tory, from the time he quilted Mr.. Por-
ter's establishment up to the time in
which l found him sitting in Mrs. Jen-
nings' parlor
do you remember that night you got
out of window, and | took you to the
theater? Well, you see, didn't care
for the printing business much. l had
soul above scraping rollers and rolling
ink; and, from the first night | went
into the theater l was stage struck
1t seemed such a jolly, easy life; and
such glorious thing to see ali the
plays, and act in them, and get rounds
of applause, and wear fine clothes. so l
determined to be an actor. | had the
impudence to apply to old Tomkins, the
manager of Bury, for an engagement.
His answer was to kick me out of the
theater as presumptuous young ape.
But, although this hurt my pride, it did
not damp my ardor l heard of a booth
two or three miles off One evening
L walked over to the village and offer
ed my services there. They happened
to be in want Of some one to pull I'D the
scenes, deliver the bills and go on for
small parts. l was engaged ct once.
The printing business saw me no more.
So instead OF rolling ink. | rolled I'D
scenes. l was very happy for a time.
N~fN~AA'' WhOh gu Il lew lines 10
speak. BY and by l grew ambitious and
scared in imagination from the first ofh-
Ger to Macduff, and even to Macbeth. l
got disguised with the mental portion Of
my work; and one fine morning, at
fair, deserted to an opposition show.
next door, where, in a spangled tunic,
and pair of russell boots, | scowled
ferociously at my old companions. Then
l managed to get taken on as super at
one of the big theaters, and knowing
something about the business got pro
NOTED to super-master. There | met nv
esteemed friend, the Professor a. gem
tleman who can write B. A. after his
name; who has moved in the most dis
tinguished circles, but who, being at
present under a cloud, is compelled TO
play General Util at the Royal Corin-
THAN Theater.''
But what sort of characters do you
take| l inquired, referring back. in
my mind, to my solitary theatrical ex-
perience.
"Oh, | veer between the heavy bust
ness and the light comedy" he answered
carelessly.
Eyes; between carrying on the chairs
and tables and the candles" drylv re-
marked his friend, speaking for the FIRST
time.
"Oh, hang it, say, nowI' expostulat-
ed Josiah. You know the stage man
ager is very much struck with me. and
intends giving me a small part in the
new piece. Once let me get my nose in, !
and I'll show them what l can do"
You may more correctly say that
the stage manager was struck by you"
again remarked the Professor. in he
same sarcastic vein. 81 thought Won
had broken his nose with that banner
the other night; in his best scene. foo
just as he was working up. He ex-
pressed his admiration of you in very
strong terms; it is a wonder you did nor
get your nose between his fingers"
Josiah was getting very angry. To
avert a quarrel, l asked who General
Util' was.
n person who's supposed to be able
to do everything. and consequently do
nothing, and who's bullied for every
body else's blunders," spitefully rerlied
Josiah
After little more pickering. the two
friends. as | suppose l must STYLE them
went out for a walk. l felt quite re-
lieved at being freed from the stranga
glance of Mr.. Montgomerv,s
eyes. that had scarcely ever been taken
off me the whole time he remained in tbe
room. After this, Martha came, and 1
had little quiet talk
Il couldn't go to sleep for hours last
night, thinking Of what you'd better do"
she said. "A clerkship is what Won
want; but you see, you've got no refer
ances' and it is so hard to get situa-
lion without them-and. indeed. with
them, for the matter of that. | thinl,
YOU ought to try and find out vour
friends; You know the name of the law
yers that Mr.. Porter drew the money
from. l think yoa ought to 90 to them"
Suppose they We're to hand me over
70 that man againg' | said, shudderinq