The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-03-02
Warming Heart and Hands.

Warming Heart and Hands. -t
Some time since. . beautiful young
girl made her first appearance on the
stage in one of the minor theaters OF
Paris. Her grace and loneliness attracted
admiration. which her rising talent prom
ised to secure. She concluded long en-
gagement with the manager, giving her
but which sufficed for her wants and
those of an invalid mother. who was
totally dependent upon her exertions.
According to the usual custom clause
in the contract stipulated that forfeit OF
10000 francs should be paid in case OF
its non-fuliillment by either party.
One day the young actress entered the
managers room. and announced to him
that she wished to leave"
.sHow!' he cried. 'You are the last
person from whom would have expected
such caprice" sn
"Indeed, sir, it is not caprice"
at is, then, the offer OF another en-
aIt is, sir, and one which ! cannot re-
fuse. Its from an excellent young man,
who wishes to marry me-"
my dear girl, l shall want you also
to study your part in new afterpiece
which have Just received"
Then, sir, you refuse to set me free?"
81 must think about it. At all events
you have it in your power to break the
agreement BY paying the forfeit"
.Ten thousand francs! it's very dear"
ut was very dear when you signed
your name; but now your services are
worth more than that"
"Alas, it will prevent our marriagew
said the unhappy girl, in voice choked
with tears; and with adespairing heart
she left the room.
Two days afterward the manager was
seated close to the CRATE in his apart
ments, trying with all his skill to kindle
fire.
The cashier entered with visage Woe
fully elongated. The affairs of the thea
ter were in a critical state; the receipts
had diminished; and the payday at the
end of the month approached.
"Yes," said the manager, sour situa-
ton is embarrassing. And this plaguy
fire that won't lightr'
Astonished that he could be so indiffer-
ent under the circumstances, the cashier
retired. As he was leaving the room
the young actress entered.
'Ah! is it youP'' said the manager;
'you;are coming from the rehearsal?'
mo, sir, have come to return the
part you gave me to study"
80 it seems you think of quitting
the stage?''
81 have brought you the forfeit"
'The ten thousand francs?"
'.Here they are"
Sand how have you procured this
large sunni"
My intended husband gave it to me-"
ais he, then, so rich?'
These ten thousand francs are nearly
all he possessed. But, he said, what
does it signify? We shall only have to
defer setting up in business, or perhaps
l may succeed in borrowing the
money!"
.Going in debt that's a fine prospect
for young housekeepers! So the dowry
you mean to bring your husband is
want and ruin; you take from him the
hard-earned fruits of his industry, and
you oblige him to renounce the pros
pect of honorable independencen'
'Pray. sir-pray, don't speak so
cruellyn sobbed the young girl. ..
"Have you considered that such a
union cannot fail to be unhappy! Listen
to reasonable back this money and re-
turn it to him who gave it to You; and if
you are absolutely resolved to leave the
theater, I'll show YOU simple way of
doing it that won't cost you anything.
Take this paper and have the kindness
to put it in the CRATE"
So saying he handed her a piece of
paper carefully folded, which she threw
in among the smoldering sticks.
The manager watched it as the languid
fame gradually curled round it, and
then shot up in bright flame.
s.Do you know" said he. what that
paper was? 1t was your signed agree.
ment. And now 1 have no longer any
claims Oh your services, and conse-
quently can demand no forfeit. Go NV,
girl, and employ your little capital well,
and be happy"
Deeply affected BY this generous deed,
this young actress expressed her graft
tude as fervently as her tears permitted.
Don't talk to me of gratitude, re-
piled the manager, 1--WE are only quits.
ing in vain at that obstinate fire; you
threw your engagements into it, and it
instantly blazed up. Thanks to me you
are free; thanks to you am giving my
hands good warming.-French Paper.