The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-03-01
Warming Heart and Hands.

Some time since, a beautiful young
girl made her first appearance on the
stage in one of the minor theaters of
Paris. Her grace andloveliness attracted
admiration, which her rising talent prom
ised to secure. She concluded a long en-
gagement with the manager, giving her
services for a moderate remuneration,
but which sufficed for her wants and
those of an invalid mother, who was
totally dependent upon her exertions.
According to the usual custom a clause
in the contract stipulated that a forfeit of
10000 francs should be paid in case OF
its non-fulfllment by either party.
One day the young actress entered the
managers room, and announced to him
that she wished to leave"
Howl" he cried. "You are the last
person from whom I would have expected
such caprice"
..Indeed, sir, it is not caprice"
cit is, then, the offer of another en-
gagement?"
= ut is, sir, and one which ] cannot re-
fuse. tits from an excellent young man,
who wishes to marry me-"
'.My dear girl, I shall want you also
to study your part in a new afterpiece
which I have Just received"
Then, sir, you refuse to set me freeP"
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! tits very dear"
at was very dear when you signed
your name; but now your services are
worth more than that"
"Alas, it will prevent our marriager
said the unhappy girl, in a 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
ments, trying with all his skill to kindle
o fire.
The cashier entered with a 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.
EYES," said the manager, ''our situa-
ton is embarrassing. And this plaguy
fire that won't light"
Astonished that he couldbe 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
ssyou,,are coming from the rehearsalP"
s'No, sir, 1 have come to return the
part you gave me to study"
$50 it seems you think of quitting
the stageF"
81 have brought you the forfeit"
1.-The ten thousand francsP"
"Here they are"
'.And how have you procured THU
large sunni"
My intended husband gave it to me-"
els he, then, so richT"
s!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
I 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 il
want and ruin; you take from him thu
~hard-earned fruits of his industry, and
you oblige him to the pros
pect of honorable independence"
pray, sir-pray, don't speak SC
cruellyr" sobbed the young girl.
"Have you considered that such 8
union cannot fail to be unhappy! Lister
to reasonable back this money and re-
turn it to him who gave it to you; and il
you are absolutely resolved to leave the
theater, I'll show you a simple way o
doing it that won't cost you anything
Take this paper and have the kindnes.
to put it in the CRATE"
So saying he handed her a piece O
paper carefully folded, which she threw
in among the smoldering sticks.
The manager watched it as the languiC
flame gradually curled round it, ant
her shot up in a bright flame.
"Do you KNOW" said he, 'what tina
paper was? 1t was your signed agree
ment. And now L have no longer an,
claims on your services, and conse
quently a demand no forfeit. Go my
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, "we are only quits
See, for the last hour 1 have been blow
ing in vain at that obstinate fire; yol
threw your engagements into it, and i
instantly blazed up. Thanks to me yo,
are free; thanks to you l am giving M
hands a good warming.-French Paper