The Prescott daily news. (Prescott, Ark.) 1907-1941, 1912-10-03
WHEN Mr.. PHILBIN
WENT ON THE STAGE
BY FLORENCE NEYHART.

speaking or trials, said Mrs. Fhil-
bin in a conversational tone, albert
has gone on the stage!"
mot really?" the other women
shrieked after they had caught their
breaths.
NO" said Mrs. Philbin, mot really
just on the amateur stage But it's
lots worse than real acting. | don't
know anything better calculated to
make a staid, grown-up man kick up
his heels, buy new neckties and gen.
orally conduct himself In kittenish
way than request that he lend his
presence to an amateur production. 1t
holsters him up in his secret convic-
ton that he is perfect mine of un-
discovered genius.
"'Oh, MOI he said at first. You
don't want me! l never acted in any
thing in my life and | can't do It! I'd
ruin the piece! Get some one else!
I'd ruin the piece! Get some one
else!' Afterward he told me that he
hated to disoblige them but he really
couldn't do it. l congratulated him on
his gooS sense, whereupon he looked
at me as though he had caught me
trying to poison him. He said he re-
GREETED to see how little confidence
l had in his ability and was panied
at my exhibition of jealousy
Then he raced to the phone and
told the committee that just to obiige
them and help them out of a hole he'd
take the part.
after that Albert was lost to the
nings running his hands through his
hair and memorizing his part. If l
spoke to him he would stare at me
wildly as though he belonged to an
other sphere and resented my advent
into 1t.
After he went to the first rehearsal
life became very hard at home be,
cause Albert took to going over what
he called the business of his part. II
Is disconcerting to have a man, even
If he is your husband, rush at you
from behind portieres and wander
about with the furniture in his hands
muttering to himself
Mrs. Lemmock called one evening
and walked in just as Albert tore
through from the dining room into the
parlor shaking his fist and yelling, !
have you now, you moral leper, and
your life-your life is not worth an
hours purchased! You can't blame
Mrs. Lemmock for taking it person
ally, especially as Albert's fist was
flourished within an inch OF her nose
During this time il remarked to
Albert that the cook was going to
leave he would stare at me and say
Scat last, Montmorency, / have un-
masked you! 1t was impossible to
carry on any conversation with Albert
for weeks. He was always bursting
out with bits of his part. Finally he
insisted on my learning the part that
dovetailed with his so that he could
practice at home.
Nov, I love my husband and al
ways try to please him, but I consider
this my GROWING act of self-sacrifice
or course Albert was working for pub
lie applause. but If any one wants tc
know what is my idea of zero In
pleasant pastimes should mention re
hearsing a part that you aren't going
to play. Anyhow. it's upsetting to
have your own husband lean over you
tenderly, gaze into your eyes ant
make desperate love to you in dime
novel style! 1t makes you feel sc
queer!
"By the third rehearsal Albert hat
hao,,y, IN toIL ohout b{c ond fr
speak of we'll known stage people by
their first names. He mentioned the
public as though he had 1t eating out
of his hand and he adopted the stage