TRUE JUSTICE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1133, 22 May 1911, Page 4

TRUE JUSTICE.

Q AN AMBROSE MANNING STORY. Mr. Ambrose Manning, the capable comedian now appearing in "Tho Whip" at tho Opera House, tells a stcry of tho days wheu tho scenic artist had with his brush to represent crowds on the sta.go, moro frequently than is the case in these days of supernumeraries. There was one play in which a big Court scene was nn item of moment. Tho jurymen in this scene were painted on the wings (tho tide scenes), with tho foreman (a Mvc nct"rl sitting at the end of tho row down stage. At one point tho judge had to say:— '"Uentleiuen of tho jury, have you considered your verdicti? "Wo have!" tho foreman would reply. "How do you find tho prisoner, guilty or not guilty?" , "Not guilty, my lord!" (cheers a.nd applauso from the crowd painted on tho other side of the stage). One evening, however, the actor who played tho judge— a man of full habithad met a friend who had dined him well. He took Ms scat on the bench that night with great dignity, in a murky "makeup," with his wig to one side. With an "over the hills" leak in his eye, he said:— "Gennclmon, please retire and consider your verdict!" "Wo can't retire, Jimmy—jury—painted' on wings!" hoarsely whispered tho foreman. "Retire, I say!" said his Lordship, with a fine dignity bern of old port. Seeing that it wr.s useless to argue, the foreman hopped off, and pulled the wings off, waited two or three seconds, then pushed them on again, and took his place once more nt the end of tho painted row. The judge, waking up, hiccoughed a query, nud the foreman, for puro mischief, said: — "Guilty, my lord!" "Then," said his Lordship, "I order tho foreman of Hie jury to be hanged by the nceU until he is dead, nnd may heaven hnvo mercy on his foul!" The personnel of the company was readjusted tho next day.