The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-07-25

againl" For that is just what they once
did; the electrician having turned them
on by mistake.
No" said Jessica, listening critically.
that's not malicious laughter, that's
that's bowling applause" Her verdict
was confirmed by another hearty roar,
so up we all FASTENED to the wings to
watch what was going on. Well it was
Boots. He was doing some of the fun
NEST stunts we had ever seen, not doing
them inadvertently, but artistically,
and doing them, moreover, so quietly
and easily that the skill of them was
not Immediately apparent.
OF course, he was not letter perfect in
his itnes-nO mere mortal could have
been on such short nOtice-but the very
fact of his lapses seemed to stir him up
10 extra touches of cleVerness which
literally brought down the house. Not
long and the audience, and we as well.
were watching him every minute he Was
on the stage. whether he took part in
the progress Of the scene cr not lie
was born cOmedian-not a Tow"
comedian, as was Childs. depending
upon exaggeratiOn and buffOonery for
his effects, but the highest comedian
1t is possible to imagine Every move
he made was CONFUSING, Il was so
earnest and natural. His well-modu-
lated voice was an added factor to the
merriment for an air of seriousness and
refinement is the very contamination of
comedy. Once. forgetting his lines, i'm
pOrtant ones, too, he kept a cool ap-
pearance and went through an absurd
ly funny pantOm.me Of tying a refrac-
tory cravat. Simple as it sounds, il sent
the audience into shrieks and started
US who were with him into helpless
laughter. Turning TO Carson iInCts
said chgaEmgly and clearly:
Wasn't that better than sitting
DOWN."
This broke up Carson. and those in
front rolrsd with him, though they did
not know why.
Once or twice Boots Gid walk off the
stage, and his walk alone won him a
hand every time. The lettering. ner-
vous jerk which had been 50 impossible
IN leading business was undeniably fun
ny here. By the end of the evening
Boots was the play If he but stood
lettering sill and blinlled his eyes there
was a rear in front. An audience
which is put in good humor in inspir-
ing to act to. Ready to laugh, they are
none the less ready to weep, or to be
anxious, or to exult, or cheer; and
though they do not know il, they them
selves are responsible for half the good
tllhSS Jney so generously applaud. We
rang down that night TO a townful of
friends, and we were as pleased and
happy as a lot of children.
We sought out Boots.
You've got me hitting the ceiling, old
fellow; I'm nowhere" said Chapman
Childs. shaping him on the back
Boots looked undecided.
You'll be asking me for q bccst OF
sGlpry pretty soon, won't vou?" asked
Carson, in a voice so genial that it was
assent in advance
Boots blinked. lie was not sure vet.
Lettice Jerome swept him a Ianguid
courtesy.
Broadway for YOU" she smiled.
Boots neTvously clinched his hands.
Jessica Moyne slid her small fingers
int" his and gave him a hearty shake
Mr.. Booth" she sail ringingiy, You
are just the clevorest thing have seen
for years. You made the hit of the
evening, and we ali congratulate you. -
At this the sudden tears started. lie
looked US all in the faca, and did If
graciOusly and mantUlly, despite the
fact that he was plainly crying.
He did not say a word, though. Nor
did he have to. He knew h was one of /
US, and, knowing, knew stil further |
that we understood