"One Good Turn," &c.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 52

"One Good Turn," &c.

In French theatres the doctor of the theatre feas a seat given bJm for every performance. He must be there every evening. Naturally, after he has seen fche same piece a score of times, he longs to be elsewhere, and prefers to give his seat to some of hi» friends.

A well-known writer, Monsieur B , says that when he was a youug man a friend, the dcc'.ov of the Porte Saint Martin Theatre, gave him his seat. Jusfc as he was becoming interested in the first act the stage manager rushed up— the heroine had a nervous attack and required medical aid.

B had nothiDg else to do^bufc to Follow him. In the lady's dressing room he found the manager with anguish depicted jm every feature and the lady wringing her hands and shrieking.

"Now, doctor, quick! 'What's to be done ? ''

B grew red as a lobster, and as he could not say anything he juat ejaculated: " H'm. Lot us see ; let us see ! "

He tookihe iady's hand in a wild attempt ho feel her pulse. She shrieked more than ever, and writhed like a snake.

"Have you poured any water on her head ?" he asked.

"Yes." "And no effect? " "None." " Then give her a sniff of eau de Cologne." " Haven't any," was the answer.

" Then go and fetch some."

Off rushtd the manager and fche stage manager together, and B was left with the pfcfcieafr. Suddenly &he opaued her eyes and sniiled. " Doctor." she said, " you are a good fellow, aren't, you ? "

" Yes ma'amselle."

" You must be, doctor. Now listen. There is nothing the matter with me. You would have found that oub soon. I wanfc a couple of days' holiday. Cau'fc you manage ifc ? "

"Delighted," he leplied joyfully. "Now, rna'aiapelJe. ■you're a good fellcw, too. Ira noi a doctor. I came in on tLe doctor's ticket, so you must nob give him away."

By this tims the manager and stage manager came back, each with a bottle of eau de Cologne. He told them that ifc was unnecessary now; the lady was quite compos? d, and' could appear without any dsrger. But she inusfc h«.ve a few days' resh. They made wry faces, but granted the holiday.