Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1881 — TESTED AND TRUE. [ARTICLE]

TESTED AND TRUE.

BY H. S. SUTTON.

Josie Adams had acquired nd little local fame as a song and dance lady at the Concordia, the principal variety theatre in Atlanta, Ga. Scores of her friends would come every night from way out on North Avenue to hear her sing, while the proprietors well knew that the seat occupied by a row of “bloods” would be vacant if Josie did not hold forth. With all her popularity she was not. vain. She tnew her power and was satisfied. To do her justice, her thoughts were occupied more with her mother and little sisters dependent upon her than with her admirers; ana when she, with winning smile and pleasing voice, brought down the house, it was for their bread and not for her fame.

To be in keeping with the general run of heroines, our’s has a lover, and one of whom she conld be proud. Orrin Stivers was an orphan. Of his early history he knew but little save that his father and mother both belonged to the dramatic profession, and that on their death he had been oast adrift to shift for himself, while his sister had been placed in an orphan asylum. He was steady going. and withal a pretty good fellow, with the'one fault of possessing a ealous nature. Being Josie’s accept»d lover, he would hardly allow her to converse with any one: He assist her in her rehersals, and his ready wit was the fountain head of the sayings with which she interlined her songs. He, too, had a smattering of histrionic talent but he never allowed it to develop itself, being contented laboring at his trade. Their lives were flowing along in this channel when the Concordia management announced p new star in their dramatic constellation. Miss Virginia Rose, the talented song and dance artiste, “fresh from Eastern triumphs,” would make her bow before an Atlanta audience the Monday night following. Something extra in the way of a programme had been prepared for the reception of the new comer, and the house was crowded. Josie was on hand, as billed, with her usual “bouquet of charming songs.” The first part dragged its weary length along, and tne olio began. The stranger stepped to the footlights in profound silence, and then the burst of applause that followed shook the building. She was well worthy of it. A commanding figure, set off to advantage by her costume the whole surmounted by a wide-brim hat set coquetisiily on tne side of her head, formed as pretty a picture as one could ever* wish to see. Song followed song and encore followed encore, the audience not allowing her to leave the stage until she was almost ready to drop with exhaustion. Gesticulation was perfect, style was inimitable, voice was entrancing, form was superb, and if every adjective in the category were used it would not suffice to do her justice. A farce followed and then it was Josie’s tarn. She sang with her usual grace, exerted herself more than ever to please, but her efforts were unrewarded. The few rounds of applause she she was aware came from her friends as a courtesy. All interest was centered in Miss Rose. It was plain as daylight to Josie. She had taken a back seat. She must now play second fiddle to the reigning belle; On the road home Orrin shared with Josie her discomfiture, and it was decided that she must have a new repertoire in order to compete with her brilliant rival. This answered for a time to keep up appearances, yet while nignt after night Miss Rose was honored with calls before the curtain and bouquets were showered at her feet. Josie was forced to put up with possibly one encore. There was no danger of losing her engagement, but she could not endure the idea of a stranger dropping so easily into the position she had occupied. To add to her troubles, Orrin let his jealousy grow on him until he was as cross as a bear with a sore head. He accused her of keeping the company of every “gawk” that hung around the theatre, and said that the only way Miss Rose was a rival she had captured one of Josie’s beaux. To these false charges Josie did not deign a reply.

One night Billie, the call boy, told the ladies that a gentleman in the 'green room wished to see some of nem. “And,”- he added, in a loud whisper, “the bloke’s got lots of sugar.” It was evident from Billie’s manner that he had been the recipient of a liberal fee. » The ladles entered the green room and met a gentleman, evidently from the country, if one ould judge from his make-up and conversation. He made a reckless display of a large roll of bills, telling the girls to call for what they wanted and he would pay for it. Miss Rose took a seat by his side, but did not appear to fascinate him as she was wont to do the majority of the visitors. He inquired for Joeie repeatedly, and when she came off the stage insisted on seeing her. She resisted his attentions. but this only seemed to render him the more persistent. “Blow him In for all he s worth.” whispered Miss Rose, as she passed Joeie on her way to the dressing room.

To Joeie the presence of the gentleman was odious in the extreme. He asked her company home, and, when she refused, asserted that she would go with no one else. Joeie threatened to oall the proprietor and have him taught some manners, Mid then stepped out to look for Orrin. He was nowhere about the building, and heretofore he had always been within oall. After the performance the audience and actors filed out, leaving in the building only Miss Rose, Josie, the stranger and the old janitor, the latter being in the front part extinguishing the lights. Joeie had donned cloak and hat and was standing in the entrance waiting for Orrin, Min Rom was seated on the sofa

) chatting to the strange gentleman, trying to inveigle him Into going home with her, when he, rising to Ids feet with “This farce has about gone on long enough,” threw his heavy Coat back, tore a wig from his head, and Orrin Stivers stood revealed to their astonished gaze. Josie gave a little scream and rushed into his arms. Miss Rose fainted and fell on the floor. They placed her on the sofa, and in a few moments she regained consciousness. On opening her eyes ‘she said “Broth i w and here was another and greater rctipiise. Orrin bent over her and found total she was indeed, his long-lost *vt-» Mutual explanations followed.. 4 hi, h ended in Orrin accompan ? n ; mth the ladies to Josie’s home.

“You naughty fellow, how could you treat me so mean?” said Josie, when they were together the next day. “Hasn’t It turned out for the best? It has cured me of my jealousy. By the little masquerade I not only found a true sweetheart, but a loving sister. And as you are no longer rivals, I am going to act as manager and make you double up.’ ” While the female song and dance team of Rose and Adams would no doubt prove a success, it does not tread the boards. One of the members of the firm has entered into another partnership under the name of Stivers, and the remaining member is content to give up the profession and Bettle down to private life with the “family.” ,