A NEW STAGE STORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1519, 29 March 1887, Page 3

A NEW STAGE STORY.

The following Btory of lhe late H. J. Byroo, lias, we believe, not previously appeared m print : He wns engaged m stage-managing a " show m the provinces," and had, if possible, jn even denser lot of supers to deal with than usual. One of these had to hand him a sword at the wings, the exigencies of the part requiring that be should leave the Btage for the purpose of fetching such a weapon On the first evening Byron wns considerably annoyed at the super's want of manners m handing him Iho sword by tho blade, instead of politely proffering? the nandlo. *• Kou evidently do not know how to hand a sword to a gentleman," said tho actor. 4< I'll show you . You hold it by the blade with the handle over your shoulder, and when you have to transfer it, you lean forward with a polite bow and bring the handle gently down into tho recipient's hand : thus." The super averred that he understood, and that Byron might count on him for the following night. Sure enou . h, when that came round, there he was, a quarter of an hour before it would bo required, with the sword duty poised, and its handle well over his shoulder Thus he stood at the wing waiting the actor's advent, totally unmoved by (ho laughter his precaution — and something else— gave me to m others of the oompany . When Byron at length came excitedly for the weapon, our friend ehowed ho had learnt his leeson well. With a polite bow ho brought the handle down { m tho actor's outetrelched palm With a k yell, the latter dropped it, and then proceeded to vent his wrath on the astonished The handle wae nearly red for m his anxiety to make no mistake HBtbout having it properly over his shoulder, HJBie unconscious super find been holding it f^^Kratloaßtteo minutes m the fl'ine of v |^^» jet After this Byron allowed people I^Hbantl him "properties" m their own