Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-02-21
Warming Hearts And Hands.

Some time since, beautiful youB
girl made her first appearance on tn
stage in one of the minor theaters @
Paris. Her grace and loveliness attracte,
admiration, which her rising talen
promised to secure. She concluded
long engagement with the manager
giving her services for moderate rem.
uneration, but which sufiicad for hel
wants and those of an invalid mother
who was totally dependent upon hel
exertions. According to The usual
custom clause in the contract stipula-
ted that forfeit OF 10, 900 francs should
be paid in case of its non-fulfillment by
either party.
One day the young actress entered
the managers room, and announced to
him that she wished to leave
Howf' he cried. "You are the last
person from whom l would have expect
ed such caprice"
Indeed, sir, it is not caprice. -
''It is. then, the offer of another ell
gagement?"
'1t is, sir, and one which 1 cannot
refuse. 1t is from an excellent young
man, who wishes to marry me"
"My dear girl, 1 shall want you also
to study your part in a Lew afterpieee
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 francsi tbs very dear"
1T was very dear when you signed
your name; but now your services are
worth more than that"
"Alas, it viii prevent our marriagel,
said the unhappy glrl. IN voice choked
with tears; and with a despairing heart
she left the room.
Two days afterward the manager was
seated close to the CRATE in his apart
ment, trying with all his skill to kindle
a fire.
The cashier entered with a vlsage
woefully elongated. The affairs of the
.hester were iu a critical state; the
receipts had diminished; and the pay
day at the end of the month approach
ed.
"Yes," SAID the manager. ''our sit
uation is embarrassing. And this plaguy
fire that won't light!"
Astoaished that he could be SO in
different under the circumstances, the
cashier retired. As he was leaving the
room the young actress entered.
'Ahl Is it you?" said the manager;
''you are coming from rehearsal?"
"No, sir, have come to return the
rart 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" "
"And how have you procured this
large sum-"
My intended husband gave it to
me-"
''Is he, then, so rich?'
"These ten thousand francs are near
ly all he possessed. But lie said,
''what does it signify? We shall only
have to defer setting up in business,
or perhaps I may succeed III borrowing
the money"
''Going in debll That's fine prospect
for young kousekeepersl 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 oblidge him to renounce the pros
pect of honorable independencer'
pray, sir-pray, dont't speak so
cruellyl'' sobbed the young girl.
''Have you considered that such a
union cannct fail to be unhappy Listen |
to reason-take back this money and |
return it to him who gave it to you; and |
if you are absolutely resolved to leave
the theatre, III show you SIMPLE way |
Of doing i. that won't cost you any
thing. Take this piece of paper and
have the kindness to put it in the CRATE. "
So saying he handed her sheet of
paper carefully folded, which she threw
in among the smouldering sticks.
The manager watched it as the lam
guid fame gradually curled round it,
and then shot up in a bright fame,
"Do you know" said he ''what that
paper was? 1t was your signed agree
ment. And now have no longer any
claims on your urservices, and consequent
ly can demand no forfeit. Go, my gIrl,
and ENJOY your little capital well, and
be happy"
Deeply affected by this generous
deed, this young actress expressed her
gratitude as ferventIy as her tears per-
,nittad