Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-02-17
which I found him sitting in Mrs. J.a.


uIngs' parior.
"Do you remember that night you got
out Of window. and 1 took you to the
theater? Well. you see, l didn't care
for the printing business much. l had
soul above scraping rollers and rolling
ink: and. from the first night l went
into the theater I was stage struck
1t seemed such a jolly, easy life; and
such n glorious thing to see ali the
plays. and act in them, and get rounds
Of applause. and wear fine clothes, SO
determined to be an actor. l 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 a 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
walked over to the village and offer
ed my services there. They happened
to be in want of some one to pull up the
scenes, deliver the bills and 60 on for
small parts. l was engaged at once.
The printing business saw me no more
So instead Of rolling ink, rolled up
scenes. l was very happy for a time,
especially when l got a few lines to
speak. By and by grew ambitious and
scared in imagination from the first ofi-
Ger to Macduf, and even to Macbeth. l
got disgusted with the menial portion of
my work; and one fine morning. at q
fair, deserted to an opposition show,
next door, where, in a spangled tunie,
and pair of russell boots l 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 l met my
esteemed friend, the Professor gen.
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-
TITAN Theater."
take" l inquired, referring back. in
my mind, to my solitary theatrical ex-
| perience.
"Oh, veer between the heavy busi-
| ness and the light comedy" he answered
carelessly.
"Yes; between carrying on the chairs
and tables and the candles," dryIy re-
marked his friend, speaking for the FIRST
time.
"Oh, hang it, say, now" expostnlat-
ed Josiah. 'You know the stage man
| ager is very much struck with me, and
intends giving me small part in the
new piece. Once let me get my nose in.
and I'll show them what ! can do"
You may more correctly say that
the stage manager was struck by you." !"
| again remarked the Professor, in the
same sarcastic vein. ~ thought you
had broken his nose with that banner
the other night; in his best scene, too
Just as he was working up. He ex-
pressed his admiration Of you in very
strong terms; it is a wonder you did not
get your nose between his fingers"
Josiah was getting very angry. To
avert a quarrel, l asked who General
Util' was.
"A 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 replied
Josiah.
After little more pickering, the two
friends, as l suppose I must style them,
went out for walk. I felt quite re.
lieved at being freed from the strange
scrutinizing glance OF Mr.. Montgomery
eyes. that had scarcely ever been taken
off me the whole time he remained in the
room. After this, Martha came, and
had little quiet talk
II couldn't 60 to sleep for hours last
night, thinking Of what you'd better do,
she said. "A clerkship is what yor
want: hut. you see, you've got no r:er
ences. and it is so hard to get situa
ton without them-and. indeed, will
them, for the matter Of that I thini
You ought to try and fnd cut youl
friends: you know the name of the Inv
yers that Mr.. Porter drew the money
from. think you ought to 20 to them.
Suppose they were to hand me eve
to that man againY' said, shuddering
"True-and not being one-and-twen
ty yet, you are not your own master
Now, there was a thought CAME int,
my head, though 1 scarcely think /
|, worth while to mention it. as shoult
hardly like to advise you On such
. | Dniuf ~