The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-04-11
LITTLE DOT, THE CHILD VOCALIST.

e. j. Wheeler, In st. Nicholas.
LITTLE DOT, THE CHILD VOCALIST.
"He's a splendid card, exclaimed
the manager, enthusiastically.
lis he, indeed? said Vance Ray
mond, rather abstractedly, as he gazed
at the packed auditorium.
They were standing in the lobby of
the Varieties. Raymond had dropped
in for few minutes while making his
nightly round of the theaters. The man
ager, eager for good notice in the
daily u ION which his companion served
as dramatic critic, was making HIM
self almost Extensively agreeable.
''The hit of the showp he emphatic
ally affirmed. "You Il wait for him,
won youP He comes on next.
II don't know whether | can spare
the time" said Raymond, smoothing
out the play-bill that had been crumbled
up in his hand. And, in type which
stood out bolder than the rest, he read
''LITTLE DOT!
''The Phenom nal Child Artist, in his
wonderful character changes follow
actsr, similarly extravaganza.
Raymond carelessly cast his pro-
gramme aside and watched the two
upon the stage. They were going
through what figured on the bills as an
"aerop attic song and dance" Presently
they executed a remarkable somersault
that brought forth cloud OF dust, and
made their exit, followed by the deaf
ening applause of the gallery. In re-
spouse, they came out and bowed, and
the stamping of feet and clapping of
hands gradually closed.
The quiet that fell upon the house
was broken by the tinkle of the prompt
er's bell. The eyes of the audience ex-
peetantly sought the wings. The mu-
sieians raised their instruments and be-
gan to play one of the popular airs in
vogue.
"Watch him." whispered the man.
ager. "a born actor, and no mistake. :"
AS he spoke, little figure, clad in a
black velvet suit with delicately striped
pink stockings, appeared on the stage.
A crimson handkerchief protruded
slightly from his pocket and an eye
glass dangled at his side. In his hand
he held light cane, which he twirled
foppishly at intervals.
Such pinched, wan face he turned
toward the audience, as he began his
song in the yellow glare of the foot
lights! A feverish flush was on his cheeks
and his eyes sparkled with unnatural
brillancy. Raymond felt his heart
grow soft with pity as he listened to the
rare, sweet voice that to his expert
enced ear already showed signs of
breaking.
''Poor little chap" he murmured;
"he's scarcely seven, should Judge =
And somehow tender thought of his
two little chicks, dreaming perhaps OF
their childish heroes at the time, came
to him. He watched little Dot through
the mist that had gathered in his eyes.
The song soon came to an end and
the child soon disappeared, followed
by the enthusiastic approval of the au-
dience. Tho manager joined in the APP
plause ana turned to Raymond, his face
beaming with pleasure.
''EhP ehP' he said, delightedly.
Doesn't he bring down the housep An
infant prodigy, and all that, you know.
Pom my word, it's worth the price of
admission to see him alone.
"Rather a fit subject for the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chill
dren, should say" remarked Ray
mond, dryly. "For my part l hate
your infant prodigies. They all ought
to be in their beds at this hour en- loy-
ing the sleep of healthful children"
The manager eyed him sharply.
''Stutf and nonsensep' he grunted.
Then, in more cheerful tone: "Just
watch him this next turn. His drunken
man is something wonderful. I'm
capable of criticizing that, you know. .
And he hushed the chuckle on his lips
as Little Dot--a complete metamor-
phosiS- staggered in with high silk
hat crushed over his eyes and q white
handkerchief hanging from his coat-tail
pocket.
The drunken hiccough and thick ut
terance with which he rendered the
song fairly convulsed the audience.
When he was through, he was greeted
with terrific storm of applause
True to life, WASH titpn laughed the
had plenty of chance to get points,
goodness knows. His fathers Whitley
of the Stars, who are playing at the
Globe this week. Good actor, out
boozes too much. That is why he and
his wife separated. It's lucky she's
got the boy. He's worth cool
Seventy-five dollars to her every week. =
Raymond listened with his eyes in
tent upon the stage. Little Dot was re-
spending to his second encore When
he finished he was vociferouslv re-de-
manded. Again he came out and de-
hvered pathetic little recitation that
evoked fresh applause, Raymond grew
indignant.
''What a shame" he muttered,
angrily. They d keep the poor little
fellow before them the whole night il
they could
At that moment Little Dot appeared
from the wings and raised his hand to
his lips. The pink glow on his lips had
died out, and in its place was look of
utter WEAKNESS. The audience must
have noticed it, for the house grew still
and the performance proceeded with
the next act
Raymond buttoned up his overcoat
closely and left the theater. 1t was a
bitter night and the streets were we'll
nigh deserted. The snow lay deep upon
the ground, and raw, bleak wind blew
the still-lalling flakes remorselessly in
his face. In spite Of all his efforts he
could not dismiss the peaked. wan face,
from his thoughts. A picture rose be-
fore him OF Little Dot trudging his way
back to the hotel in the snow at an
hour when other children We're costly
tucked away in bed, and his heart was
dlled with pity at the contrast.
Poor little chapl" he said again,
9th sigh I'm give him q good no