Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1909 — BOWSER AS "ANGEL" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BOWSER AS "ANGEL"

Has Own Reasons For Aspiring to Finance Theatrical Troupe. / HIS WIFE’S FINE SARCASM. Prtjtot Falls Through on Account of Samuel’s Reception at Actors' Board* Ing House—Tails Mrs. B. to Shut Up on Return Home. By M. QUAD. [Copyright, 1909, by Associated Literary Press.] THAT Mr. Bowser bad something on hh> mind as be came home the other evening was plainly apparent to Mrs. Bowser, but ■he refrained from asking any questions until dinner had been disposed of. Even then she asked none, knowing that he would sooner or later refer to the matter that was troubling him. He hung off until he had smoked half a cigar and then said: “Mrs. Bowser, you know that my grandfather was an actor and that I have the dramatic Instinct in the blood.” “Why, I thought your grandfather was a cooper.” she replied In considerable surprise. “Don’t Insult me right at the outset. You know he was no cooper. I have told you half a dozen times that he was a leading actor and created some great parts In his day.” “I had forgotten. You think his talents have descended to you, do you?” “You know I have several times talked about writing a play and that I am quick to see dramatic situations.” “Yes, I know that. If you had taken to the stage at twenty-three instead of

marrying me you might have become as celebrated as your grandfather and been married and divorced five or six times by this time. You didn’t, however, and what are you going to do now? Are you going to try another play?’ "No, not exactly.” “Then what is it? Is any one trying to sell you a theater?’ “Mrs. Bowser, look at this thing in a sensible manner,” he replied as be sat down and then got up to pace back and forth. “You know that the regular theatrical season closes by the Ist of May. Then some of the actors rest until fall. Others organize summer companies and play short circuits or are established at summer resorts." "Yes, 1 suppose I know that” “There is money in these summer companies—big money. The man who puts in his money to send one but makes 100 per cent on his investment. He is also doing a good turn to the talent. Many of the actors and actresses would hardly pull through the summer without engagements. He thus combines philanthropy with profit. It’s a wonder to me that Mr. Rockefeller doesn’t send out a thousand summer theatrical troupes.” “He might if you mentioned the matter to him,” observed Mrs. Bowser. “The man who furnished the money in these cases is called the ‘angel,* isn’t he?’ “I believe so.” “Is it because be is so good or because he is such an easy mark?’ “See here, woman, if you are going into such talk as that we will stop right here!” shouted Mr. Bowser as he threw the end of bls cigar at the cat. “When I am talking straight business with you, please keep your sarcasm out.” Expects Visit of Manager. “Well, to come right down to the point, some one wants you to play the ‘angel,’ I suppose?* “I have a chance to invest a few hundred dollars in a first class attraction and double my capital. lam expecting a theatrical manager here to see me this evening. With a few hundred dollars behind him he can book an attraction all summer.” “I suppose you have the profits all figured out?’ asked Mrs. Bowser between two sighs. “No great amount of figuring was required. The Income will be SSOO per week.add the expenses about S2OO. Even a wooden Indian can strike the balance. It will be a gold mine while At lasts." ‘‘▲nd now arid then you win run down to the watering place where the company is playing to see how it gets along? You will almost be an actor?; “There will be a fraternal bond, of course. “Well, I shan’t be jealous of the sow brette, and If you want to lose sevseal hundred dollars this way, instead of putting it into a flying machine. I

have nothing to say. You say 1 al* Fays oppose you. In this case I shan’t, not even If you decide later on to jump in and play the leading part As you say, your grandfather was a great actor. Your grandmother may have also been a great actress for all I know, and perhaps enough of the dramatic has descended to you to also make you a great actor. If so I shall not object to your going on the stage. If you secure an engagement with a leading theater, perhaps It may engage me to take charge of the cloakroom, and thus we will both be on the stage.” Mr. Bowser stood up. with his face flushing red and white, and glared at her and finally hoarsely said: “If I am driven .to the gallows It will be you who will do it! We will talk no more. I was an idolt for saying anything about It’’ “But you will invest?” “None of your business!” “But the manager may be here any minute.” “Apd you can show him Into the library. Should you listen at the door you will hear me telling him what a glorious helpmate I- have In you.” With that he kicked at the cat and took himself off to the library and banged the door, and Mrs. Bowser took up the evening paper and became Interested. Half an hour passed, but no manager arrived. Another thirty minutes hiked away down the long road, and then Mr. Bowser appeared and clapped on his hat. “Going to the drug store, dear?” was asked. No reply. “Going after cigars?” No reply. “Will you be out late?” No reply. Revelations at Boarding House. The manager had not come to Mr. Bowser, as had been arranged, and so he was going textile manager. He had the theatrical man's address at a boarding house. This was the evening they were to select the plays for the repertory and decide on whether a war balloon should be worked Into the play of “Lady Audley’s Secret” The boarding house was duly approached. The landlady and a man sat on the steps taking the evening air, but as Mr. Bowser inquired for the manager the woman cried out: “I’ll bet he is the man who helped ’em make their sneak. Don’t let him getaway!” / “What is this?” demanded the “angel” as the man barred his way. “What is it? What is it?” repeated the woman. “You have got a heap of cheek to come here and ask what it is! Where’s them actor folks—the six of .’em that owe me two weeks’ board?” “Why, madam, how should I know?” “The six that got their duds put of

the house this afternoon while I was off to a funeral. I say, where are they? And did you come here to get the old Waterbury watch.that was left behind by accident?” “Madam, my name is Bowser.” “I don’t pare whether It’s Bowser or Towser or Cbowser. I believe you had something t 6 do with the gang skipping out and bilking the house. If not, why do you come here inquiring about ’em?" “So—so they've gone?” “Hear him! As If he didn’t know’ I’ll bet he drove the express wagon that took their trunks! I’ll call the police and have this matter looked Into.” It was undignified and against the grain, but Mr. Bowser broke away and outran the man and made a clear escape. Mrs. Bowser was waiting for him when he arrived home. He had only entered the house when she said: “You had been gone only ten minutes when the manager”— "Shut up!” he replied as he threw his hat on the floor and passed upstairs. The drafnatic instinct descended from his grandfather had had the life choked put of it.

“MY GBANDFATHER WAS AM ACTOR.”