The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-10-12
THE CALL-BOY.

Il W ildl u udN 10 morrow ii De.
! THE DWARFED CALL-BOY.
will you please have this part dead
perfect at rehearsal tomorrow, Miss
The speaker was call-boy OF the only
theatre in Western town. The girl to
whom he handed the part was tall and
slight in physique. Her features were
pale as marble, but transcendently lovely
-one might also risk the expression
lovely as an angels.
The deep-telling eyes scanned the
MSS. of the part, and look of dismay
lit their depths.
"Mercy?' she murmured. Its impos-
sible. Rehearsal is called at ten sharp.
Mother lies in a raging fever which
| threatens her brain, and here are twen-
ty lengths al least. 1t is a hard life
And weary sigh followed, as the young
girl took up her small satchel and drew
her threadbare shawl around her fragile
figure.
Good night, Denny" she said, in re-
turn TO the salution of the old door-keep
er as she quted the theatre.
BE careful, dear" he replied; "he is
there again" and he jerked his thumb
over his shoulder with a warning ges
ture.
A shade crossed her features and her
mouth worked de;erminedly, rs her eyes
flashed, and a slight flush tinged her
white cheeks.
The warning evidently disturbed her.
Young as she Was hers had been the fate
Of so many ON the same stage, She had
an admirer whom she scorned; but hav-
ing no brother, she was unprotected,
save by that mother who now lay at the
point of death.
The night was cold, and Bessie Oar
ling cher stage name the real one being
wiihheld) was scantily clad. As she
reached the street she looked up at the
stars, which glittered in the skyl pol
ished steel She shivered, and hastened
on. The light snow upon the pavement
creaked crispily beneath her tread At
the corner a Young man intercepted her
and raised his hat
Good evening" he said, removing his
cigar; "may have The pleasure ofseeing
you homer"
She made no reply, but strove to pass
him.
Don't be foolish" he said, offering his
arm; "you know that I will not harm
you."
"Your aid is not needed" she replied,
and your company is not pleasant. Let
me pass. My mother is very ill-per-
haps dying at this moment"
"All the more reason that you should
have help" he returned. ALLOW me to
offer any services in my power"
He drew roll of greenbacks from his
pocket, and held them toward her.
II do not require your money. |
would not accept it to save my mothers
life, as much as love her Let me pass,
or shall call for aidi''
He snecred.
1T is late" lie said; 'the streets are de
serted; you are alone, and none will hear
your appeal"
oh yes, they willi''
1t was the call-boy of the theater who
spoke.
The young man turned to the new
conner. He was a singular personag--
dwarfed in stature, with a head much
too large for the diminutive body.
Whom have l the honor to address
inquired the young blood. scornfully.
That's neither here or there. WAS the
reply. But, if Mss Darling viii allow
me, will see that she is no longer de
tained by unpleasant meddlers.
~Ho! ho,' laughed The other; Quasi
modo to protect his Esmeralda'
The dwarf bit his lips and turned pale
Is death.
Look out that you do not meet the
at Of the recreant priest"
I'VE are not in Paris returned the
blood; "and there are no towers of Notre
Dame at hand"
"WIl Miss Darling accept my escort
home? | will protect her from this
neaking bully?'
The young man, pallid with rage, re
turned:
"Ill thrash you within an itch ofyouI
life for this insolence, you crOoked-back
cur, Take thai"
He launched q heavy blow at the
Manikin's head, but the little fellow
darted nimbly aside.
Il am no match fdf you at 1istcuffa ne
hissed, "but 1 have not played the Sprite
/ for nothing"
| The next instant he darted forward
and planting his head full in the stom
ach Of his antagonist hurled hin over the
embankment where they stood. The
blood was unable to save himself Down
down he fell, and striking head foremost
on the bank of the river lay insensible.
MY God, you have killed him" whis
pered Bessie.
Not much loss. But the devil aid;
such az he. He is worth score Of dead
men yet. But let US hasten or he may
recover, and he would make it as hot a,
hades for me-"
| Half an hour later Bessie sat watching
her delirous mother. As she removed
and replaced the icy clothes upon the
burning forehead, she ever and anon ap
piled herself to learning the part she
must be perfect in on the morrow. No
a wink of sleep was hers that night, and
when she appeared at rehearsal the rec
ewes and feyerish cheeks told of tha
midnight virgil by her mothers side.
/ That night Bessie Darling took ths
town by storm.
The play was ended.
The curtain rang down a heart tha