The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-04-07

wv PAScuSU III NR1Korm were
seen marching man out Of the the
alter.
Meanwhile the curtain had been
rung down
The stage manager appeared from
behind wing and said:
Ladies' and gentlemen, one Of the
most daring robberies in the annals Of
crime has been committed right here
IN this very theater. Thinking that
before the villain Is taken to the sta
ton you would like to have a look at
him, l have requested the police to
bring him for moment ON to the
STAGE
There was a clapping OF hands, the
curtain was rung up, and in a few
minutes two policemen advanced from
the right center with a man hand
cuned between them. The robber
wore mask and was in evening dress.
He was marched to the footlights.
Take off his maskr' ordered the
stage manager.
A policeman removed the mask.
For one moment there was silence;
then deafening shout filed the the
alter.
Its Josselyn!' cried voice.
who's Josselyn?" asked a woman.
why, the man who wrote the play,
of course
Meanwhile the shouts continued,
while Mr.. Josselyn stood between the
policemen, each holding him by hand
cuff. Miss Sweetland who was not
verSed in stagecraft. not dreaming but
thar her lover had really robbed
man for her sake. was in agony. Not
only would he be sent to the peniten-
tiary. but this disgrace at being march
ed on To the stage in the presence of
an audience among whom were nearly
all the friends he possessed was hOrri-
bic and would xii any sensitive man.
Josselyn gave one louk at the girl: but,
seeing that she was suffering mex
pressible torture. his face broke into
q smile.
Many Of the audience were deceived,
so realistically had the scheme been
carried out. and for a moment believed
that the man before them had commit
ted the robbery in which he had been
caught. But JOsselyn's smile made it
apparent that the crime was part Of
the performance There was a fresh
Outburst Of shouting, this time accom-
panied by thunder Of applause.
by Joye," exclaimed one Of the au-
dience, that's the best stage gag I
ever saw! It's enough to make sue
cess Of a dead failure"
"Your fortunes made" the stage
manager whispered to Josselyn.
''This means 300 night rum" NUT
tered the manager, with chuckle.
Speech cried the audience with
one voice.
The policemen released the arms of
the prisoner. and, with the bracelets
still ON his wrists. he stepped forward
and said:
Ladies and gentlemen, l thank you
from the bottom Of my heart for your
sympathy
'You don't need it; you've made a
hit" interrupted voice.
.'This is a hard world" continued
the playwright. For what we desire
we must make great sacrifices. I have
made guy Of myself tonight for an
object near to my heart-an object
"a hundred thousand in royalties!"
interrupted another voice.
"Shut up.' cried one who wished to
hear the speech.
Meanwhile Josseiyn stood looking at
the girl for whose sake he had made
guy of himself with look Of humor-
Gus triumph in his eye. She drew a
long breath Of relief, and gradually an
unwilling though radiant smile forced
itself over her features When silence
was restored he concluded his speech
by stating that the object of his life
had been to write a successful play,
and this hearts desire had been &C.
complished. Then, thanking them for
their appreciation, he bowed, retired,
the curtain was rung down. and when
it was raised again it was upon the
first scene of the third act.
Josselyn had "killed two birds with
one stone" He had kept his contract
with Miss Sweetland and had insured
the success Of his play. Everybody
knows that play depends upon it's
start. The first night is immensely
important. BY his robbery the author
had put his audience in good humor
for the third act, the crucial point Of
a play. The consequence was that,
while he noticed several defects In It,
which he corrected the next day, the
audience pronounced it perfect.
Josselyn returned to his box. He
found Miss Sweetland sitting behind
curtain and took seat beside her.
Notwithstanding the fact that all eyes
were upon him. beneath the balcony
that concealed him from his chest
downward he felt soft hand stealing
into his. His face broke into a charm
ing smile, and the audience, taking it
to itself, gave three hearty cheers for
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