Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-11-01

Lally Broughton's acquaintance under
very peculiar circumstances. My first
comic opera had been accepted, and
the final rehearsal was on. Il was, to
certain extent, dress rehearsal, and
most Of the people had got their
clothes, but some OF the shoes weren't
ready; and there wasn't a soul In the
house except a dozen artists from the
illustrated papers, who were making
sketches from the stalls. But the
whole strength Of the company was on
the stage; the musicians were In their
places. We began at nine-thirty a. m.
and we were not done-not really done
till ten that night; and we went
right through everything. and a pre-
cious anxious time II was I can tell
you. And everybody was down upon
me, and the stage manager was down
upon everybody; and the ballet mas
ter had lost his head. and the chorus
master was like raving maniac and
I had tumbled over the train Of Miss
Dulcet, the popular favorite, our prima
donna, and she had used language to
me that she must certainly have learn
ed in Italy when she was completing
that expensive education Of hers; and
we were all tired and hungry and
pretty utterly done up. Mr.. Wackles.
the low comedian, who was playing
the part Of an innkeeper,, had just
got through that first song Of his about
the Staff Of Life. T. He put In a lot OF
words Of his own which he Considered
funny. but which the author didn't; \
and he and Sparklebury. the author.
were shaking their fists In each others
faces. And the prima donna's under.
study had just sent In a medical GER
tiicate-not that cared very much
about that, for Miss Dulcet, our sheet
anchor, was In splendid voice. Just then |
a very curious incident happened. A
little, pale. blue-eyed girl suddenly fell
down all in heap at my feet. Wack-
les and I picked her up and popped |
her into a property chair; the girl had
tainted.
What's the matter my dearr said |
kindly enough, when she came
% herself.
"'Oh, Mr.. Wacklesp said the girl
or she is but a girl-T didn't mean
%, really didn't; please don't say
lnything about it.
at amt time for fainting, Miss
said Wackles, beating on
lis chest in his best low-comedian man
her; look at mel don't faint. When
I professional lady wants to faint, she
should faint out of business hours or,
4 she feels she must, she should go to
he canteen and get corpse-revlver
Fan offer you anything. Miss Brough-
On?' he said, with low bow.
"'Please DON'T, Mr. Wackles,' said
he girl with a little sob. And oh,
Ir. Wackles,' she added-and there
vas an awful look about her eyes-1s
hat a real loaf, sirT she said, gazing
ungrily at the staff of life, one Of
hose long French loaves Of bread,
1hich Mr.. Wackles was carrying over
is shoulder as though 1t had been
attle-ax.
"'Of course it's real cried Wackles.
"'Oh. please said the girl. would
on give me slice Of 1t. sir. haven't
OF a penny In my pocket, and I haven't
lsted anything since eight this morn
lg. These nine weeks rehearsals, SIR,
ont bring any salary, and mother and
are very poor
"'Good Lord T cried Wackles. Then
e cut her of great slice. and. in or
eg to keep her In countenance. he cut
n another for himself and began to
at 1t with great apparent gusto.
"At that moment was sent for Into
he managers room. Sparklebury was
here; so was Mr.. Mephibosheth. who
epresented the syndicate that was
INNING our piece.
"'Miss Dulcet has thrown up [,
er part and has left the theater, Qua
ers.' cried the manager.
"we are just bust said Sparkle
ury.
81 felt that I was a ruined man.
II rushed out. ran across the
tage. 'wackles,' said hurriedly to
he low comedian. we are donei Dull
ct has chucked as. and there is no
'zerubbabelr shouted Mr.. wack.
IS. f.
"'Please. SIR cried little Laily
clutching my arm-'oh 4
lease. Mr.. Quavers. do give me a
nance. sir. I'm letter-perfect In the
iusic and words and I know all the
usiness; and I fell know I can