TALE OF A DOUBLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2593, 23 February 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

TALE OF A DOUBLE.

Mti MirvroN Nobles relates this story of Mr MoClosky:—" We had a grand production of ' Mazcppa ' in San i'Vancisoo. Lon L'helps, who did Mazeppi, was afraid of horses, and refused to make the run ; so they had to resort to ;i double. J. J. MeClosUy was made up for the double, and, masked by the crowd of peasants and retainers, was strapped to the ' fiery untamed ' mid dashed up the mountains. Kaeh niyht there was a big call ; aud Phelps carefully mule up in fleshings-, would march triumphantly in front of the curtain, bowing and smiling his thanks for the call. On tho fifth night of the pity I!<o second rung , gave way, and MeClosky and the horse disappeared together, atnid cracking boards and timbers. Of cmiiiko tlinro Was jricat excitement, and tho anilieuco began calling to learn whether Mszeppu was serinn.-ly hurt. After a short wait, riiolpHCiimo in front of the curtain, with a little property blood on bis face and hands and limping desperately, but smiling a sad, sweet, painful smile, as though saying , , " It's nothing, ladies and gontlomori —a more scratch, nothing moro, I assure you." Meantime (lie carpenters and supers were dragging poor McClosky out from under the mass of broken boards, horse, &e. Mao was badly shaken, but was not seriously hurt. Tho audience in front wildly applauding I'holp's mock heroics. The stage-manager, who in the excitement had forgotten all about the double, pulled McClosky down to tho first entrance, shouting, " Go out, go out, and let'em soo that you nin't hurt !" Mac, half dazed with pain and fright, and uot realising what ho was doing, stopped in front of the curtain with real blood on his faco and nursing a genuine game leg. Just as ho came on, I'holpa started to limp off, and they mot face to faco in tho centre of tho stage. Tho expressions on the f:ieo:i of l.'holpa and McClosky, as tho situation suddenly dawned on them, bailie description. Vui , about ten seconds there was a deathly sullness in the audience ; then, as tho truth of the doublo struck them, there wont up a yell that nearly raised tho roof. The two M.izeppas forgot their limbs and rushed behind the curtain at opposite sikv. At each subsequent appearance daring the evening I'iielps was greeted with yells of laughter, and after tho next night tho play wus liikeu off."