New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-21

a considerable time, and during that time had
always sung second or third tenor parts He had
been paid eight guneas week, and for while
there had f0ated before him the hope that he might
be promoted TO front place with salary OF
twenty pounds This hope had been dispelled when
Walford got the engagement and now he, Grattin,
had no part at ALL and no chance of an appearance
during the present rum unless Walford broke down,
just as the curtain was rung up there was great
comnotlon behind Grattin had arrived in state
OF the highest excitement, and there sounds Of
CONSERVATION and dismay from the mems dressing-
room. Before the curtain had been up couple Of
minutes the opera was stopped, and the manager
stepped forward to explain THAT owing to a sad call
that very moment, Mr.. WalfOrd would not be able
to appear that evening. In the face of such mis-
fortune NJ. Grattin, with whom they had so long
been fayorably familiar had kindly consented TO
sing the part.
The manager said more, but this is all that is
material. The audience were docile, and accepted
the situation without murmur.
What had occurred behind was this Grattin
had, in state of widest excitement, rushed into
the mems dressing-room, and announced that
Albany Lodge was on fire, and there was reason to
suppose the boy had persisted in the flames. He
planned that what must have been LON three
quarters of an hour to an hour after WalfOrd left
his home he Grattin, was passing by with the in
tention of calling for his friend when he found a
crowd around the house, and flames bursting
through the windows. He learned from the police
that from the first alarm it was impossible to enter
the house. Hence their fear that the boy and pos
sibly the old woman had perlshed .
In the face of such horrible events IT was clearly
impossible for WafOrd TO sing. Grattln had taken
"A
speed The best thing for Walford to do was to
take a hanson back and let Grattin go through the
part. SO said everyone. And one OF the good
natured members of the company, who had moth
ing to do that night, volunteered to accompany
him. so the poor father, assisted by those around
him, too Oft the gay trappngs of the stage ana re-
mutely with his friend to the scene of desOlaton.
When he got there the house was all ablaze, and
he was assured that nothing could be done until
Had anything been heard or seen of his boy' Mo-
nothing. Had anything been seen OF MARTIAL
Yes she had come back, and her story was
strange one 1t ran as follows:
Very shortly after her master had left the honse,
and Just as she had put the boy to bed knock
the paraffin oil lamp burning on the table close to
the bed. She found at the door ragged little boy
chen 1t was to the effect that if she came to GER
tain public house the writer would tell her some
thing which would be greatly to her advantage and
the advantage of her master She did not at all like
the notion of leaving the house In the first place
her instructions about the boy. were clear. In the
second place, the fastenings of the house were not
satisfactory. The spring lock on the side door
little better than touched the hasp, and as the
master himself knew, strong push was suihclent
to open that door from the outside except when IL
was bOlted within.
For long time the woman hesitated. Then,
thinking there might really be some advantage 10
herself and her master behind this note, she re-
solved to risk going. Before leaving she went up
stairs, and lest the boy might feel l0ney-she had
been accustomed TO sit with him while he went TO
sleep-she told him she would leave the lamp alight
on the condition that he Law STILL and did not get
ont of bed while she was away. The boy promised
At the public-house indicated she found a stout
slatternly woman, who appeared 10 be the worse
for drink. This woman said she was the writer of
the note, and then, TO Martha Graces horror, as
sured the faithful old servant that she had no lnten
ton whatever of beneftting the master OF Albany
Lodge hut that her design was that Martha, being
in position of confidence, as she was informed,
shoud gradually pllage that house that she, THO
strange woman. would dispose of the goods and
hat W. SlOull
Martha broke away from this wretch indig-
nantly, and hurried back with all speed TO the
house. She had been more than half an hour alb
sent and when she got back the place was III hanes,
and all possibility of getting at the room where sle
had left the boy was over. No doubt the child had
got out of bed, and while playing with the lamp 1t
fell and fired the house.
There was nothing for the discOnsolate father 10
do but to wait there through the dreaTy watches of
that desOlate dim night looking at the uncertain
flicker of the gradually dying fire.
With morning came the possibility Of search.
Then the remains of the lamp were found, but no
trace whatever of the boy This puzzled people skilled
in fires. They owned they could make nothing OF It.
They could trace portions of the bedding and the
floor but nothing whatever that spoke of the pres
ence of a human being Walford urged the search
crs to renew their quest. Again III VAN. ADs0'
lutely nothing belonging to the hoy found eX.
cept, strangely enough, some buttons which were
known to belong to his clothes, and a shilling.
Both the father and the nurse agreed that there
could not possibly have been any other silver coin
in that room than the given by the father 10 s
the evening before. ms com, 100, was lOunu
in place close beside the iron bedstead, which
would roughly correspond with where the nurse had
put his clothes. What mysteries upon mysteries
were theSeY
ing, Walford refused TO leave the ruins, and his
friend, who had stayed with him Loyalty all the
time, set off in search of some refreShment He
came back very shortly and. preOccupied as Wal;
ford was, he could not but see that some new and
startling surprise had Overtaken his friend lio
asked hastily what it was.
II don't think ought to tell you, Walford, but
if don't someone else will in few minutes. There
was bad breakdown at the Cremona last night
said WalfoTd sadly. Z" But who can blame me 7
Look at this. Where is my boy ~
IL don't mean you, Walford but GTattin He fell
on the stage in faning fit, and the opera had 10
be stopped They say he's seriously i'll. In fact,
the doctors think he can't recover. The papers say
there is something wrong with the heart
Il am very sorry 10 hear it," said Walford.
A." Poor Grattin! the sight of my house in flames,
and the knowledge that my little one had persisted,
and then having to dress and go ON III comic part,
was too much for him.
While the two men were speaking, a third man
came up and said - The police tell me one of you
| is Mr.. Nalford have note for Mr.. Walford.'
When the owner of the burned house had read II,
! he turned To his companion and SAID: Ii Is from
poor Grattin. He asks me to come TO him at once
! for Gods sake, OF he may never see me again. He
| lives quite close. will not be half an hour. Wait
| for me-"
Walford found Grattin exhausted but able to
speak fucntly. "The doctors tell me | may go any
| moment | will not waste u word. l have been
unconscious until just now. | want you Ia forgive
me if you can if yOu will. was Jealous of You. |
made my mind mp to destroy yeu if could. Tho
whole plot was mine got woman to decoy your
servant away ! set fire To your house."
and the boy-the boyT whispered the father,
| pale as death.
Is sleeping there" He pointed to door leading
off the room in which he lay Z" | used chlOroform
on n handkerchief with him, and then brought him
here. He is safe. Open the door and look. shall
never sing the part had better voice than yOu.
| but wasn't good a man. Forgive me. and let
me die in peace with all on EARTH since there is no
| hope of my gaining peace hereafter have earned
damnati0n, but did not kill the boy Mercy =
mercy James Walford Hark There is your boys
! voice. Is it not sweet enough to yOur ears this
| morning to take away your anger i-Hark! That
is not the voice of your boy. That the call-boy,
| Monsieur Grattin, the stage waits ReadyW
Aud with this word MOnsienr Graltin answered