_A Pirate of Parts_
_By RICHARD NEVILLE_
_"One man in his time plays many parts."_ --SHAKESPEARE
NEW YORK The Neale Publishing Company 1913
Copyright, 1913, by The Neale Publishing Company _All rights reserved_
[Illustration: (signature) Yours Sincerly Richard Neville]
_"All the worlds' a stage And all the men and women merely players"_
To my sister, Mrs. Mary Hughes, who for years has been associated with several of the most notable presentations on the American stage and with many of the most prominent and talented of American players, both male and female.
_"BILL OF THE PLAY"_
I.--Is all our company here?--_Shakespeare_
II.--What stories I'll tell when my sojerin' is o'er.--_Lever_
III.--Come all ye warmheart'd countrymen I pray you will draw near.--_Old Ballad_
IV.--Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of ground.--_Shakespeare_
V.--I would rather live in Bohemia than in any other land.--_John Boyle O'Reilly_
VI.--What strange things we see and what queer things we do.--_Modern Song_
VII.--He employs his fancy in his narrative and keep his Recollections for his wit.--_Richard Brindsley Sheridan_
VIII.--Every one shall offer according to what he hath.--_Deut._
IX.--One man in his time plays many parts.--_Shakespeare_
X.--Originality is nothing more than judicious imitation.--_Voltaire_
XI.--All places that the eye of heaven visits are happy havens.--_Shakespeare_
XII.--There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio.--_Shakespeare_
XIII.--Life is mostly froth and bubble.--_The Hill_
XIV.--Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time.--_Shakespeare_
XV.--Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.--_Shakespeare_
XVI.--A new way to pay old debts.
XVII.--The actors are at hand.--_Shakespeare_
XVIII.--Twinkle, twinkle little star.--_Nursery Rhymes_
XIX.--Experience is a great teacher--the events of life its chapters.--_Sainte Beuve_
XX.--I am not an imposter that proclaim myself against the level of my aim.--_Shakespeare_
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Pirate of Parts by Richard Neville
- 2: He was a strolling player pure and simple
- 3: The vessel was anchored off Staten Island
- 4: So the dwarf was cast for Eva
- 5: The sheriff was quite agreeable
- 6: If by any chance the steamer should be delayed
- 7: By this time the fog had lifted
- 8: Removing the briarwood from his lips
- 9: At breakfast or after breakfast
- 10: Does the name of Newport faze you
- 11: In Humpty Dumpty they had a good standard name
- 12: For that same night a grand operatic concert was announced
- 13: And the announcement of Humpty Dumpty was a puzzle
- 14: And obligingly entertained the audience
- 15: Yet these vagabonds had homes and mothers
- 16: Were you in the old Bowery shop then
- 17: Put on the piece with two cataracts
- 18: Handy was the first man up and stirring next morning
- 19: And I'll bill you as Lew Dockstader
- 20: Returned Handy somewhat dejectedly
- 21: Replied the irrepressible Handy
- 22: No man knew this type better than Handy
- 23: Handy himself started for the water side
- 24: Handy remained alone for some time below
- 25: I do not take kindly to the souvenir business
- 26: You will be announced as Signor Nibsinsky
- 27: An' yez are going to give the show under the cover of a tint
- 28: McGuiness walked slowly up the road
- 29: ' McGuiness thrust his hand toward me
- 30: Between the dominie and McGuiness
- 31: This man's name was Fogg Philander Fogg
- 32: When Handy encountered Fogg the latter appeared in a hurry
- 33: Before Handy had time to prepare to receive visitors
- 34: Fogg and Handy that everything would be all right
- 35: Handy and Fogg were once more alone
- 36: A few minutes later Fogg himself appeared
- 37: Ees dot Meister Vogue somewheres about here
- 38: By this time poor Fogg was nearly out of his mind
- 39: You have ruined Draper's Melnotte blouse
- 40: How do you spell that mettle mettle or metal
- 41: In the garb of Claude Melnotte
- 42: Do you know any one named Draper
- 43: Bedelia looked as if she could annihilate Handy
- 44: Said Fogg in a feeble tone of voice
- 45: And Fogg too became thoughtful
- 46: You had all Sunday and most of Monday to get there
- 47: Pluck had nothing to do with the case
- 48: I could have the baggage and things
- 49: The prospects were not encouraging
- 50: Bookkeepers and financial agents
- 51: Fits the aspirant for a debut on a starring tour
- 52: And actually painted Weston red with Camille
- 53: I may confide and confess I feel awfully nervous
- 54: The Camille of the dressmaker nothing more
- 55: Handy was cast for the part of the Count de Varville
- 56: Poor Camille struggled bravely on
- 57: Fogg was crestfallen Handy thoughtful
- 58: I was so scared of that lunatic Fogg
- 59: What in thunder kind of a place is this Gotown
- 60: Handy opened his eyes in surprise
- 61: But you don't seem to enthuse over the prospects
- 62: We'll tackle Gotown on miscellaneous paper
- 63: Let's just cut across lots here and go and see Ed McGowan
- 64: I'm a New Yorker myself left there some time ago
- 65: You used to spout in the old Bowery Theatre
- 66: I don't say that bekase I work for Rafferty
- 67: We'll make Gotown hum on Saturday night
- 68: McGowan laughed outright and applauded
- 69: Gotown was a short distance from the railroad station
- 70: They build without plans in Gotown
- 71: Only this Gotown or no Gotown
- 72: Ought to in all reason satisfy Gotown and its audience
- 73: Richmond marched on without impediment
- 74: I guess Gotown won't scare her
- 75: He already considered Daisey as a chip of the old block
- 76: To assure himself it was all right
- 77: He sought his partner in the Gotown venture
- 78: This Gotown proposition was yours
- 79: Answered Handy sympathetically
- 80: Where do you play after leaving Gotown
- 81: Will reach Gotown Friday night on special car
- 82: My partner in the Gotown proposition
- 83: And that's how I came to ring in the Collenso
- 84: Reached Gotown early in the forenoon
- 85: On the reappearance of Daisey De Vere