Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-09-29
Myra's Dramatic
Company

BY MURIEL BLAIR

MsIh lrescotl ana Robert Hill get
ting married. This was Myras prom
Use to her dead mother that she would
never leave her Uncle Gilbert, until
he had some one else to take good
care of him. He needed care. poor
fellow, for he was a dreamer and a
confirmed bachelor. There was no
lack of money, fortunately for him
having no trade or profession, and set
In the one notion that some day he
would become n great dramatist.
Myra was his sheet anchor his busy
little housekeeper and CONSIDER. Ii
was nearly year now that she had
been engaged to Robert Hill.
Every January, about the middle of
the month, when Robert got his bust
ness affairs in order. he went down to
Hampton and was Mr.. Tresham's
guest and Myra's delight for several
days. Myra was now brisk and cheer
ful as cricket getting ready for bis
regular pilgrimage The biggest snow
storm of the winter had set in, and
Hampton Hall was isolated from tray-
ersed roadways.
Uncle Gilbert was in one of his
dark moods that day He had re-
ceived back for the eighth or ninth
time his manuscript of "a Modern
Lear"
The last train brought Robert Hill
to Hampton late that afternoon. He
entered the station, to have his mind
temporarily distracted. Robert stared,
rather puzzled at first at the mixed
group moving about, at the great
heap of boxes, satchels and trunks in
the middle Of the floor
The leader of the ten odd people was
q long-haired massive-browed gentle
man with strut and a deep, husky
voice He suggested the tragedian
and was announcing in sepulchral
tones:
"Hark We, / have explored the
only house in sight has four rooms
and eight children. There is but one
whole ham in the settlement"
There's two now" observed Miss
Glorlana Montmorenci leading lady,
cuttingly.
One by one Robert picked out the
various members of a dramatic com
pany, and he soon knew their his
tory.
ITS horrid !" he heard a tall, will
lowy, affected lady observe, whom he
later knew to be "the old woman" of
the company. "What are we ever go
ing to do here to eat and sleep?'
POUNDS but the prospect is a bleak
one" replied the manager, bluntly.
"Cold, little oneT"
Little one was sweet patient
faced girl, who seemed ever Swallowed
by the lofty superiority of the leading
lady. Her winsome ways attracted
Robert
Robert was interested In studying
the queer group of humanity for some
time Then a sleigh came blowing
through the drifts, and he was driven
10 Hampton Hall.
1t was strange how things came
about, but it seemed that In can
vassng the district for food and a
harborage, Mr.. Harold Montague, the
tragedian, applied at Hampton Hall
In all respects Mr.. Tresham was hos.
pitable Especially did he have a
sneaklng fondness for actors. To the
delight of the stranded troupe the
doors of the great comfortable hall
were thrown open to them.
AS said. Uncle Gilbert was in one
of his dark moods. He kept pretty
close to his own apartments. Myra,
however, was delighted to hustle
about and to make her children of the
soul" guests happy.
The next evening Uncle Gilbert was
led to the roomy billiard room Of the
hall.
II was all ablaze with light. At one
end was a stage. Before 1t was a
string orchestra of four pieces. a
neatly written program was furnished
Uncle Gilbert. 1t read First pro-
duction of the great drama of A Mod
ern Lear. by Gilbert Tresham, ESQ.,"
and the cast, with real actors, fol
lowed
If ever there was a man suffused In
a glow of perfect happiness, it was
the astonlshed and delighted author.
The actors, in warm-hearted gratitude
for their royal entertainment did
their best.
"Who could help feel and act those
beautiful sentiments Of yours, Mr.
Tresham." said Gladys, when she was
thanked and complimented by Uncle
Gilbert. ooh, your play will some day
be a grand success"
Uncle Gilbert was no longer in the
dumps. Reused into hopefuness and
enthusiasm. he made friends and boon
rompanions of his strange guests.
Miss Montmorenci made great eff
fort to capture him, but Gladys clear
iy was his favorite. Her father had
been a noted actor, and she taught
him more about the practical drama
In two days than he had acquired
theoretically in twenty years
"Well, Robert, they have gone" said
Myra four days later, but one OF then
Is coming back In a month
"You mean GladysY
Eyes, Robert. There is to be
wedding, and Uncle Gilbert at last has