SHE WANTED COMEDY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIX, 12 May 1894, Page 456

SHE WANTED COMEDY.

Three months ago when a new servant girl came to the Tinakori Road family the mistress said she desired to post the girl in advance on a certain little point. She and her husband belonged to an amateur theatrical company, and in case Jane heard any racket around the house she must not imagine they were quarrelling. They wonld simply be rehearsing their parts. The ‘ play ’ began on the third evening of the girl’s engagement. The husband taunted his wife with extravagance and she said he played poker for money, and chairs were upset and footstools kicked around, and threats were made of going home to mother. Next morning the mistress said to the girl: ‘ Did you hear ns playing our parts in “The Wronged Wife ” last night ?’ ‘Yes’m.’ ‘lt was simply a rehearsal, you know, and you mustn’t think strange of my throwing a vase at my husband, and calling him a vile wretch !’ Three or four nights after the curtain went up on a play called ‘The Jealous Husband,’ and Jane heard sobs, sighs, protestations, threats, and exclamations. The next play was entitled ‘ Coming Home Tight,’ and was mostly played in the front ball. Then followed • The Depths of Despair,’ * Threats of Divorce, and • Such a Wretch,’ until Jane was at last tired of having a private box and being the only audience. The other morning she appeared in the sittingroom with her hat on and her bundle under her arm, and said : * Please, ma’am, but I’m going this morning.’ ‘ What, going away ’’ ‘Yes’m.’ ‘ For what reason ?’ ‘ Please, ma’am, but I’m tired of tragedy. I’m a girl as naturally likes to see bugging and kissing and love making on the stage. Think I’ll try some family where they rehearse comedy and have a good deal of kissing, and perhaps I may come in as a super and geta small share of it myself.’