Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Vol. 39: November, 1889, to April, 1890
Juliet's balcony In a dark corner stood a robber's cave with an opening through which Old Ali Baba used to lug the bags Of gold he had stolen from the Forty Thieves. Through the narrow and secluded pathways of behind the scenes I have Often wandered out upon the Open stage and wondered at this grove of wings and ?ats, and I could see that many ropes were hanging from above to which were fast ened boats and baskets, tubs and chandeliers, and those sure tokens of bad weather, the thunder - drum and rain-box.
These were the kind Of Objects that my childish eyes were wont to look upon, and in this huge and dusty toy-shop, made for children Of a larger growth, I got my first experience. I had seen many rehearsals, and sometimes got a peep at the play, having been taken on in arms as a property child in groups Of happy peasantry. Naturally, there fore, I was stage-struck at an early age; and as I had a theater stocked with scenery and properties, I could indulge my passion at a small expense, especially as my stock company were volunteers consisting Of two little boys and their sister, who used to play with me on All rights reserved.
Saturdays. This was before the star system had set in, and at a period when combinations were unknown.
Of course I was stage-manager by the right of possession, and had to compile all of the plays. The plots were very simple and made to conform with what set pieces we could get at, or what properties we could secure and hide during the absence of the property man. If the set cottage was handy I would come out of the door as an Old man (the age represented by a Spinal affection) with a daughter and a market-basket: old man cross, daughter rebel lious; Old man locks daughter in cottage, goes Off to market shaking his fist (spine still weak). The favored lover enters, claps his hands three times, daughter appears at window, kisses her hand; Old man coughs outside, favored lover conceals himself; enter Old man with market basket full of gilded pasteboard goblets, ac companied by unfavored lover they sit down and drink wine Out of goblets till overcome. Favored lover steals key from Old man's pocket, releases rebellious daughter; the sleep ers awaken, general pursuit favored lover and rebellious daughter escape over bridge, old man and unfavored lover fall into the water. Curtain.
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