Betsy Gaskins (Dimicrat), Wife of Jobe Gaskins (Republican): Or, Uncle Tom's Cabin Up to DateHood, W. I. (William I.)
General
Betsy Gaskins (Dimicrat), Wife of Jobe Gaskins (Republican): Or, Uncle Tom's Cabin Up to Date
Hood, W. I. (William I.)
Gold; Interest; Money; Paper money -- United States; Populism
The night of the show the large theater could not hold more than
one-fourth of those who had come to see. The doors were closed at seven
o’clock, and the performance began at once, word being sent to the
disappointed crowd outside that Mr. Herne would give two shows that
night, the doors to open for the second performance at nine o’clock,
and, further, that seats would be free to all, only those paying who
desired to contribute to the fund for the needy.
Immense enthusiasm, tears, and at times laughter, followed the players.
As the hardships, trials and disappointments of poor old Betsy and
innocent Jobe were made vivid and real by the actors, like conditions in
the lives of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters or friends came to the
memory of nearly every one in the audience, and tears and sobs proved
the interest with which the people were drinking in the great lesson
that was passing before them. Finally, when the curtain fell on the last
act, instead of the crowd rising and hastening to the exits, as crowds
usually do, they sat for some moments as if spell-bound. Then
individuals began to rise in their seats here and there, and, leaning
over, to converse with their nearest neighbors in words and tones of
consolation and hope, as though some great pall hung over them. Women
were crying; the men looked earnest and thoughtful.
This was the condition of the audience when a great tumult was noticed
in the front of the house; loud shouts of men filled the room, while
above all others and on the shoulders of two brawny men there was lifted
a middle-aged man, pale, nervous, yet seemingly calm. Every one seemed
to be trying to reach his hand or touch his garments. He smiled. He was
borne forward to the stage and placed upon it. At the same time two
other men climbed on with him. When the larger of the two, who I
afterward learned was the representative from Seneca County, vigorously
pounded for order, the crowd settled back in their seats and quiet
reigned. Then the big legislator said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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