Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1909-07-09

est us in her any other way: turn he
loose with a knife and pistol an
let her stir things up bit"
There was a pause which neithe
Mary nor | had the temerity to break
We were much subdued since the be
ginning OF that dinner, and was abou
to bring in the weather to relieve thu
Situation. WHEN, loo4i1g up. / fouDt
that be was examining us intently
with an entirely new expression.
But and his voice was very sol
emn, almost reverenr. "but-it's the
best plot I've heard for years"
Mary came up against the edge OF
the table with bang, while | ossi.
fed.
It's strong, there isn't weak spot
In II, and what's more-it's new AS
far as know. the idea has never been
used before. nor the time, nor the
country, nor the characters II ought
to make great play"
After awhile | felt sensation return
] ing, and as the roaring in my ears
died away | heard her voice asking if
be would advise us to go on with it.
Go on with it? Don't fail to go on
with it! Work on it carefully, make
1t more exciting and bring in some
stunning effects. For instance. why
not have that battle on the stage?
That would look all right--sunset be-
hind the fortress of Quebec-or sun
rise, whichever you want, lot of Brit
ish and French soldiers with flags. and
a band or two. You've literary mate
rial enough for three plays and not
enough action for one scene. The ac-
ton wust tell the story without a
spoken word, if necessary"
We were too Happy to speak-suc-
cess seemed within our grasp, and no
amount of prospective work or trou-
BILE mattered.
More than year had passed since |
Mary had come TO me with her idea
for play. During six months of that
time she had been with me in New
York to help in the process Of
pushing things; and we had learned
how small part of producing a play
is the mere writing of it; and that
beyond this pure preliminary, it is an
occupation for business promoter or
a walking delegate We haunted the
offices of manager after manager, and
made change after change in the
manuscript. One wanted it longer
We stretched it; one wanted it more
nelodramatic-we peppered it with
lights; one wanted it more soulful
we introduced mystical verse at
hort intervals. Each character in the
asst had played many parts. From
noble, self-repressed gentleman, Gen
dontcalm had become an impossible I
ombination of swashbuckling brag-
ard milksop, and sentimental cad
Alene's affections were vibrating con-
usedly between the general, the viii /
ain and the spy; and her character
ad been torn to shreds. We got used
0 pushing ourselves in where we J
'ere not wanted to insisting on talk I
lg to people who did not wish to hear
s; and crust began to form over !.
ur sensibilties.
We had drifted to a little East side :,
oarding house. Our money had faded
way and we had found work. The play
ad become merely haunting mem k
y in the background of our minds, o.
I'd We spoke of it remorsefully as OF W
usting friends whose character we II
i'd DETAINED.
One day a Young musical COMPOSER r
lied at our lodgings and sug rested
mh | |
is idea was to combine our play with
me composition OF his own, and dis
'se OF ii to manager who made
specially of extravaganzas. He was
energetic business man. and it was
irdly five weeks before this new ar
ngement was completed. He had
rsuaded the manager to put it ON ex- m
on
The first night arrived-how We dr.
d looked forward to it year ago! be
e were seated in the managers box
alone
When the music ceased the curtain ioi
Sc on bewildering mass of color; ~
IRE was the fortress of Quebec. but nc
tead OF the weather beaten French Ia
,ulars, it was garrisoned by the I'd
'tty feminine soldiers in white and 'io
d, and as they performed an intri-
e march, they sang bright, catchy
u. A charming figure in modern M
'isian gown tripped lightly forth
Ring a chiffon parasol. 1t was '"'
Alene-the French girl of 0a'
5, the highborn demoseile whose a.
e had driven her to break the "n'
ms OF convention and given her Nv
rage to face the dangers of New
nee. After swirl of skirts and a
Iiminary pas seul she warbled
liiuously that she'd
aAlways be true to Billy,
siro Billy. Billy, Billy ton
this touching sentiment she was