In an Awkward Corner.

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 79

In an Awkward Corner.

'We were playing in a small town in the Far West of America some years ago," said an actor, "when our leading man had rather a rough experience. All the miners of the district w&re in the theatre. Well, the villain had been persecuting a poor maiden through two acts. In the third act he came to the powerful scene of the play. " 'At last,' he said, ' I have you in my power, and nothing on earth can save you. I, who was the slave, am now the j master ! ' i "So_ saying, he advanced towards his trembling victim. " ' Mercy ! ' she moaned. "'M&roy?' he retorted. 'You had no mercy for me, andi I will have none for 3'Ou ! ' "At that moment a gruff voice was heard from, the <galery : '"You varmint r I'll settle with you.' "There was the oraek of a pistol, and a, bullet whizzed near the heavy man. " ' Plug the eon of a gun, boys ! ' continued the voice-, and a shower of bullets saluted the stage villain. "He didn't stop long. In the wing lie met the stage manager, who was white with anger. "'You have broken up the se&ne,' he said. "'Well?' " ' Go back to the- stage, sir, and wait for your exit.' " ' I think not.' " ' I tell you I won't have the man in my company who is so easily disconcerted. Go on with the scene, or you leave the company to-morrow.' "That was serious. To be stranded in that forsaken town was calculated lo make the villain hesitate. " ' I'll go back,' he said. "Be tore off "his wig just be-fore going <jn, ana, stepping down, to the footlights

| with an injured expression of countenance, bo said : , ""Ladies and gentlemen' — there were no ladies there, but that didn't matter — ' with ' your kind permission, I will resume the r scene Before doing so, however, I want i to call your attention to the fact that the J young lady and myself are merely acting j parts. In reality we are the best of friends. ' I bear no iil-will for your display of heroic chivalry. I trust, however, that you will curb your generous sentiments, for if you should hit me the play would be interrupted, j If any of' the gentlemen will meet me after , the show in the saloon, they will find out I am not a bad feLow.' ! I "Loud cheers greeted this speech, and the play was resumed." [