The Washington herald., 1906-10-14
AN UNCLE TOMMER'S DIARY.


here last night and are to play again
tonight and also Wednesday night. The
show is a hit, and all because of me.
There was good-sized congregation
present when the services opened.
state II that way because it was the
soberest, saddest audience / ever saw
anywhere. It sat out there In the hall
and regarded US with suspicion. Before
came on with the donkey half the au-
dience had slipped out softly, making
as much noise as a packing box rolling
steps themselves
I was a little nervous when 1 started
out with the donkey. But the nervous
ness wore of very quickly. Also almost
all Of my costume and considerable of
my makeup.
It was all the fault of the manager.
The donkey started as slowly and sol
emily as an ice wagon, and the manager
threw something at him from the wings.
The donkey suddenly wished to stand
on his head.
urged him not to. I pulled back on
the bride and dug my heels into his
side. but to 10 avail.
Finally We compromised. stood on
my heed.
And then the donkey came across the
stage, as soon as ! had assumed a sit
ting posture, and began eating my trouser
legs.
The more 7 wriggled and twisted and
tried to get away. the more he bit off,
at times heedlessly taking a chew Of my
skin.
BY this time the audience was sitting
straight up and yelling with delight and
admiration. The people that had gone
out heard the cheers and came rushing
back, increasing the racket and adding
70 the excitement Of the donkey.
Every time ! tried TO run off the stage
the manager or some of the company
would be IN the wings and push me back
Simon Legeree threatened me with his
whip several times.
But at last I made a flying leap.
knocking the manager down. and escaped
to the dressing room There I stood.
counting my bruises. when from outside
l heard a tumult like to the sound Of
twenty thunderStOrms all working at
once.
The manager came running and called
me:
Go on he said. Go on. Man. you've
made the hit OF your life. Get back
Not much" I replied. pinnlng up
chewed place in my coat
art?''
4 have; but have a little regard for
my skin, too
MY heavens. man. What do a few
inches Of skin amount 10 compared with
a SUGGEST"
But I wasn't going out there again. ]
Was beginning 10 ache all over by this
time, and 7 had found a bump on my
head that I had overlooked.
Come now" begged the manager,
while the hand-clapping and stamping OF
feet and yelling grew tremendous. Come.
now. # you won't respond 10 an encore
go on the stage and bow your apprecia-
ton OF the applause. There is no neces-
sity Of insulting an audience. Is there
Where's the Donkey" / asked
''The donkey viii be held. all right. Go
on and take your stage call
l shouldn't have done it. I should have
stuck 20 my decision. But when he said
Take your stage call" remembered all
the actors I had ever seen, ard how mag
nihcenJ and stately they appeared when
they would advance 20 the center Of the
stage and bow repeatedly while the audi
euce shouted and cheered-
Il was too much of a temptation. I
drew my tattered coat about my throat
with my left hand, crooked my right arm
behind me and staIked calmly onto the
stage. The audience redogbled its yell
ing
I bowed to the right. I bowed to the
left. / bowed to the front. and still they
checreG. I stepped forward to the fec
lights and bowed again.
The audience Checrcd and Clappcd
hands and I bowed right along until the
noise subdued somewhat Then I cleared
my throat and raised my hand 10 COM
mand silence, just as Bryan does from
the rear platform.
At once a dGathlike hush fell over the
assemblage. I never heard silence come
so quick. Even the smiles faded from
the faces Of those before me. and into
their eyes Crept d tense expectancy. I
began.
Ladies and gentlemen: I am proud
To-
and then the donkey kicked me clear
from the stage into the bass drum;
While the manager was helping me