Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-10-13
Booth
Il he Second
By Katherine /. Grey.

Z s%,ss.sssss.xa.se.ss.ss.s.sxs,s.,s
When Davis. the~theatrical booking
agent, arrived at his office just bit
before 3. the entry way leading to 1t
was filled with motley array OF PEG.
pie young, old. tall. short, anxious.
indifferent--and they filed in after
him, seating themselves with signs OF
relief, boredom, fatigue and worri-
ment In his waiting room. With never
20 much as glance at them he stalk
ed through and slammed the door Of
his private ONCE with sharp. decid.
ed bang. Every week day morning
for the past five years the same crowd
had awaited him. He had seen the
bright, hopeful face fillwith despair at
his curt nothing doing" with no more
feeling In his heart than II his words
had been merely a CHEEKY greeting In
stead Of death dealing to their hopes.
After the first half hour the conversa.
tion IN the outer ONCE dragged and
finally died out. while the patient
walters anxiously watched for any
movement on the part Of Davis, whose
form could be discerned through the
ground glass door.
At last the entry door opened wide.
and with measured step and slow a
man entered-tall, with brightly burn.
ing eyes; hair a bit long and curling,
"A silk hat Ca relic OF better and more
prosperous days) reposed In awe i'm
posing grandeur on the iron-srey
curis, while a. Track coat aud light
trousers, evidently from those snme
old prosperous days, completed an ap.
pearance which commanded respect.
With calm, critical eve he gazed.
half disdainfully. half cynically. at the
occupants Of the room. So, these
were present-day actors-of the new
school The disdainful look changed
TO one Of condescending pity as his
gaze fingered on two young fellows
talking together.
Whats the story. Billie?' one was
saying.
'sOh, I've framed up a SINGLE" came
Bibles reply, land Davis has prom
Used me tryout. Work In one, sing a
few songs, spring bunch OF gags,
mix in few steps, then do a quick
getaway. Just the stun for parks and
moving picture houses. you know.
KID
The tall man dropped into a seat
on the speakers left. eCan you In.
form me, sir" he asked ceremonious-
". how long Mr.. Davis is usually en-
gaged at this hour?"
t'Can't tell; 1t all depends respond
Cd Billie. Got an appointment with
him?,
.No. no." came the dignified an.
swer. Il merely dropped In to say.
good morning and-er-to see how
things are conducted in minor book
ing Offices of this-er description. =,
Whats your specially !'' ssFad Bill
'aspecialty!e The fine note Of I'M.
disguised horror and Reputation
brought scarlet flush to the ques-
toner's face. Il. sir, am shakspe-
rian actor Of the old school. en-
tered this business when one had to
be an actor born and bred, sir. am
hourly expecting wire In reply to
my acceptance OF a Broadway engage
ment. !, sir, played with Booth am
an actor, sir!' He rose and cast a
whitening look at the crushed Billie.
and as II to complete the latter,s hui
initiation. Davis ONCE boy entered and
called: Mr.. Warrington Dangerfeld
here?" and the tall man with truly
Booth Shaksperian sweep Of the hand
followed him into the private ONCE.
A silence fell on the crowd, broken
at last by low, deep whistle from
Billie as he repeated softly. II am an
actor, sirl" The Office hoy reappeared.
and, Billie grabbed him by the arm.
saying: .'Say, kid, how long is Booth
the Second going to stay there?"
cav, not long, the boy replied.
'.some guy phoned the boss he was
due heresand to treat him right for
old times sake he's a real haslbeen,
you know"
The conversation stopped abruptly
as Mr.. Dangerfeld appeared IN the
doorway. and with head held high he
ewing majestically to the door, then
as III recollecting the presence Of Bill.
lie. whose aim was q tryout In the
park or moving picture house, he
again cast plying look at him and
bowed In naughty condensation;
then the door closed behind him.
The following Thursday, Billie,
] armed with his excess" Zone grip
rather the worse TOR wear), landed at
Weston and looked about in disgust
as the train pulled out OF the station
Gee whisl" he muttered. .I'll bel
they amt had show here since
Uncle Tom ten years ago. Every
mothers son has to be In bed by
o'clock and up at 4-7and this is the
place Davis wants me to break my act
{ in. VIII the natives get my gags
never! I'll bet in the Good Old Sum
mer Time is new here. o, well, it's
only for q half q week, Thursday. Fri
! day and Saturday--me Tor the opr'y
housed" and he trndged up the mair
~ 4i.lI