Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-09-13
"Ohg only as a child. Do you

| les, Slf-Vefy we'll. st
"very well-so you think-I might
not. Do you dance?
! eyes, sir, Father was an actor, and
he says danced very WELL" fdtu Z
"Oh! then you can come to-mor-
row and try it."
"Thank YOU'LL come. -
! Rehearsal will take place at
1O:30."
81 will be here, sir.
"Bring your props with YOU"
"Poor Ida hesitated; and the
manager observing this said, ''Oh,
perhaps you don't know what | mean
by props. Well, they are your
/ feathers, jewels, ribbons, laces, tights,
slippers, gloves, and so on. We only
| furnish the body Of your dress. "
The poor girl still hesitated, when
the manager again asked, Cant you
furnish your own props?"
II fear not at first, sir" was the
timid reply,
''Then we don't want you
The manager turned away, and
Ida staggard towards the door, hall
blind with grief and disappointment
But ere she had passed it, a gentle
hand was laid upon her shoulder, and
d sweet voice exclaimed, "My dear
child; come and see me as early to-
morrow as possible. Here is my adj
dress" ... $685..
Ida viewed the extended card, and
turned her eyes toward the speaker.
She was Il brilliant creature, and the
poor girl tried to stammer forth a re-
ply, but could not. she left the, thea.
tre, and took her way homewards.
She could not help thinking of the
beautiful lady and her magnificent
dress, sparkling with jewels. What
could she want with her?
b Even bright pictures of the futurf
, arose before her vision, and these
dulled the sharpness of her grief a
| the disappointment she had met with
She did not tell her father what shs
had done, or that she had an engage
meut to meet one Of the great ladies
of the theatra: ... r..
The next day, Ida called at t.,
place designated upon the card He
visit was heightened one but whei
she emerged from the lady's presence
: she looked comparatively happy.
One of the first things Ida did, af
ter returning home, was to find tn,
half finished play, which her fathe
was writing; and alQne, in her 5owi
, apartment, size passed much tim'
A lover it. She was also from her HON,
great deal, during which time he
father supposed her to he at her labo
! in the tailoring establishment, wher'
she occasionally found employment
. But if she became cheerful immedi
ately after her visit to the theatrica
, lady, it was not long after before sh'
began to be thoughtful--then sad.
She became very pale. and at the
, time the conversation between herself
and father, described IN the first par
OF this sketch took place, she looked
as if she could endure but little NOR,
either Of physical or mental exertion
The father had observed the increas
ing paleness of his child, and it ha(
caused him much grief But he hat
said nothing Of the matter for he die
not know how he was to remedy it.
lie had been hopeful, now had almos
given up TO despair.
As evening approached, poor Ids
grew still paler, but she spoke words
of hope and comfort to her father
and that parent could not but look
unQn her in admiration as well a
pity. ...t.. r.
The hour came when business call
ed her away. She pressed her marble
cold lips to her fathers brow. She
held his hand in her own for moment
and tear drops fell upon it. Their
she said, Father, the darkest houl
is Just before the dawn. Cheer up.
/ will return in few hours, and to-
morrow we will be richer than we are
to-day" ...s .s,
: The daughter left that wretched
: home. But no sooner had she taker
, her departure then the father began tt
1 think of her last words.
I They were strange. What coult
: they mean? What act did Ida con
80 tempfate ?a~~f
2 At frst suspicion swept acros
his mfnd.-vague- but gradually as
2 suming form. But as the though
/ preseea upon his braih it began t
madden.him, and for hours he tosse
r about upon LIDS j led Of pain, callin
r for his child and praying her safe re
d turn. q
y Midnight came and passed, an
still Ida came not. Several time
+, had the old actor resolved to aris
81 and go in search of her; but he ha
not the strength to ddso, and as ofte
would fall backupon bis pillow, ,groal
1t ing in the agony of his soul.
Daylight came, and still Ida ha
u not arrived But just as the sun b
gan to throw its golden rays over Il
40 ,,l 70, I,,,,, @,