He wants me to go to 'Frisco with him.'
"When I gets back to the theater I sees a green buzz-wagon at the stage
door with a guy 'n' a shofe in it.
"The chicken has hold of my arm comin' out of the door, but she lets go
of it 'n' then steps up straight to the buzz-wagon.
"'I can't keep my engagement with you this evening,' she says. 'My
brother's in town and I'm going to be with him.'
"'Bring your brother along,' says the guy, 'n' I know by that he's got
it bad.
"'I can't very well,' she says. 'We have some family matters to talk
over. I'll see you some other evening.'
"The very next night a bunch of scenery tumbles over. The race is
goin' on, 'n' Edwin Booth is layin' down to it right. A piece of
scenery either falls under his feet or else jims the machine, I never
knows which, anyhow, all of a sudden the hoss gets real footin'.
Bingo! We're on our way like we're shot out of a gun. We go through
all the scenery on that side 'n' Edwin Booth does a flop when he hits
the brick wall at the end of the stage. The ole hound ain't even
scratched. I ain't hurt neither.
"The curtain rings down 'n' De Mott comes a-lopin' to where I'm gettin'
a painted grand-stand off of Edwin Booth's front legs.
"'In heaven's name what were you trying to do?' he says.
"'I was just practisin' one of them quick exits you're always talkin'
about,' I says.
"'All right,' he says. 'Keep on practising till you come to that door!
Follow on down the street till you reach the river and then jump in!'
"'I guess I'm fired--is that it?' I says.
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