Mr. Bingle's Melodrama

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Mr. Bingles sees a melodrama one night in the theater and makes up his mind to become an actor. He becomes acquainted with an author who has a play for sale, and after a reading, he determines to produce it. Bingles sees a dramatic agent, engages a company, and begins rehearsals. The author is not satisfied with the cast selected by Mr. Bingles and is especially dissatisfied with the fact that Bingles is to play the hero. According to the terms of his contract with the producer, the author can select certain members of the cast, and proceeds to do so, much to the discomfiture of Bingles. who has to pay a week's salary to the discharged artists. The opening day arrives and the play is to be "tried on the dog" in a small town, several miles distant from Mr. Bingles' home. The railroad fares take Bingles' last cent, but he is optimistic and being broke does not worry him. Everything is in readiness and M. Bingles prepares to conquer the world with his genius. The play begins, and every contretemps that could be thought out by a congress of pessimists, happens to the actors and the working of the $150,000 production. The author is among those present and becomes incensed, in sympathy with the audience, at the way his work is being treated. He enlists the services of several small boys, who, under his guidance, go out between acts and buy all the available vegetables and soft fruits, and a basket of eggs. Various other members of the audience "get wise" to what is about to happen, and prepare to be in at the finish. The play, which becomes worse as the action proceeds, finally ends and applause from the impatient audience brings Bingles before them to be met with a shower of vegetables, etc., and Bingles realizes that all is lost. The disgusted company finally wend their way to the railroad station. Bingles tries to obtain transportation by leaving his watch as security, but to no purpose. The company is in the last stages of despair when the author arrives and purchases tickets for everyone but Bingles, who is left to wait ten hours for another train or walk the railroad track. Some five hours later Bingles is seen entering his home a sadder but wiser man.