ALL BOY (discovered arranging papers and letters on table). I do hope master 'll find a leading lady in this pile. — My! what a lot! why every female in town must want to lead. I wonder one ever gets a chambermaid, they all want to do "Lady Macbeth" or "Juliet "; should n't wonder if I played "Romeo" and "Hamlet" some day! I should like to have been "Romeo" to our last leading lady's "Juliet." She COPYRIGHT, 1888, BY F. E, CHASE. was a stunner and no mistake. What a pity she went off so sudden! he'll not easily replace her the three he's had on trial since were n't fit to tie her shoes. (Enter the Manager.) Good morning, Sir. Man. Good morning, Bob. Tell the billposter, when he comes, to display the new posters in the green-room for me to look at, and let me know when they are ready. (Exit Call Boy. Man. sits at table.) Oh! here's a day's work (looks over letters as he talks). For one runaway leading lady I am overrun with scores of applicants. If among the number I might hope to find one with the smallest right to the title! Oh, yes! offers, questions, phrases in every form and shape: nobility, spirit, memory, education, beauty, genius, figure, talent, etc., and yet scarcely one that spells correctly. No, no, I'm not to be taken in again by lofty recommendations or self-praise: this time they must submit to such a trial as cannot deceive. My plan is a capital one; the true art of acting is not so plentiful as these aspirants imagine. Call Boy (entering). A lady wants to see you, Sir. Man. Ask her to come in. Plague number two, the more self-possessed aspirant comes herself. Well, that's better than letters, one can form some opinion of the appearance at least. A few crusty sentences soon dispose of the hopeless cases. Call Boy (who has gone off and returnea ushering the lady in). The bill-poster is waiting for you, Sir. (Exit.) Man. (bowing). Excuse me one moment, Madam. (Aside.) A good appearance. (Exit.) Actress. And this is the sanctum of my old sweetheart. He does not dream his little wife that was to be is so near. Dear Frankie! Will he be glad to see me? or has he formed new ties, and forgotten the love of |