The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-05-10
THE CHILD VOCALIST.
malcolm Doaglas in The Continent


auditorium.
They were standing in fhe lobby OF the Vat
rieties- Raymond had dropped in fer few
minutes while making his nightly round of
the theatres. The manager. eager for good
notice in the. daily upon which his companion
served as dramatic critic, was himself al
most extensively agreeable.
"The hit of the show!" he emphatically af-'
firmed. you'll wait for him, won't youl
He comes on next"
Il don't know whether can spare the
time," said Raymond, smoothing out the
play-bill that had been crumpled up in his
hand. And, in type which stood out bolder
than the rest, he read:
LITTLE DOT!
aThe phenomenal child artist, in his wonder
full character changes" by more
terms of q iaudatory character, similarly ex-
travagant.
Raymond carelessly cast his programme
aside and watched the two uIon the stage.
They were going through what figured on
the Lills as an "aerobatc song and dance. "
Presently they executed remarkable
somersault that brought forth cloud of
dust and made their exit, followed by the
deafening applause Of the gallery. In re-
sponse, they came out and bowed, and the
stamping of feet and clapping of hands grad
ually ceased.
The quiet that fell upon the house was
broken by the tinkle of the prompter's bell.
The eyes Of the audience expectantly sought
the wings The musicians raised their in
struments and began to play one of the pop
ular airs in vogue.
"Watch him." whispered the manager.
"a born actor and no mistake"
AS he spoke, little figure, clad in black
velvet suit with delicately striped pink stock
ings, 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 a light cane, which he
twirled foppishly at intervals.
Such pinched, wan face he turned to
ward the audience, as he began his song In
the yellow glare of the footlightsi fever
ish flush was on his cheeks and his eyes
sparkled with unnatural briliancy. Ray
mond felt his heart grow soft with pity as he
listened to the rare sweet voice that to his
experienced ear already showed signs OF
breaking
"Poor little chap" he murmured; "he's
scarcely z, l 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 disappeared, followed by the enthus-
iastic approval of the audience. The man
ager icined in the applause and turned to
RAYMOND his face banning with pleasure
aEhs eh?" he said, delightedly. Doesn't
he bring down the housea An infant prodigy,
and all that, you know Pom my word, Its
worth the price OF admission to see MIN
alone"
"Rather fit subject for the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children,
should say,n remarked Raymond, dryly.
"For nv part hate your infant prodigies.
They all ought to be in their beds at tins
hour enjoying the sleep Of healthfui chill
dren."
The manager eyed him sharply.
"Stuf and nonsensel" he grunted. Then
in a more cheerful tone: "Just watch hin
this next turn His drunken man is something
wonderful. Pm capable of criticislng that
Won know" And he hushed the chuckle
on his lips as Little Dot-a complete meta
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in with high silk hal
crushed over his eyes and white handker
chief hanging from his coat-tail pocket.
The drunken hiccough and thick utterance
with which he rendered the song fairly con
yulsed the audience. When he was through
he was greeted with terrific storm OF ap
plause.
.oTrue to life, wasn't itl' laughed the man
ager. "Well, it ought to be- He's mac
plenty of chances to get points, goodness
knows. His fathers Whitley OF the Stars,
who are playing at the Globe TINS week
Good actor. but boozes too much. That
why he and his wife separated, It's LUCKY
she's got the boy He's worth cool $40 q
her every week"
RAYMOND listened with his eyes inten
mon the stage. Little Dot was responding
to his second encore. When he finished d
was vociferously re-demanded. Again h'
came out and delivered pathetic little recl
tation that evoked fresh applause. Raymond
grew indignant.
aVhat a shame' he muttered angriiy
"Thev,d keep the poor little fellow befor'
them the whole night if they could"
At that moment Little Dot appeared from
the wings and raised his hand. to his lips
The mink glow on his cheeks had died out
and in its place was look OF utter WEAKNESS
auQl60C6 AAOSAS~A
house grew still and the performance pro
ceeded with the next act.
RAYMOND buttoned up his overcoa
closely and left the theatre. It was I
hitter night. and the streets we're well
nigh deserted The snow lay deep upon tn
ground. and a raw, bleak wind blew the still
falling fakes remorsely into ms Iace.
snite Of all his efforts he could not dismiss tn
peaked, wan face, from his thoughts
n;cture rose before him of Little Dot, trudg
ing his way back to the hotel In all the snow
at an hour when other children were cosli.
tucked away in>bed, and his heart was niie'
| with pity at the contrast
"Poor little chap!" he said again, with
sigh. "pll give him good notice"
The next night found him at the Varietie
behind the scenes At his request he wa
| taken by the manager TO the dressing-roou
| that Little Dot occupied, and introduced T
him. The child was with his mother waitin
| to "go on"
| ats the gentleman who was kind enoug
to write the notice about yon,r she said
him. sYou must thank him for it"
aOh, it was you, was it7' he said, turnin
his big blue eyes up at Raymond. "You'r
an editor, amt your
/ The awe with which he asked this Qnestio
brought smile to Raymond's face.
"Not exactly" he replied. II write for th
newspapers"
aDo youg" said the child. eagerly. "Ho,
clever you must be! And it was 20
who wrote that about me. Thank you eve
so much You are very, very good.
He placed his hand to his forehead an
] held It there moment. Raymond noticed
| and looked grave.
aAre you quite well3" he asked kindly.
"Quite WELL" the child faltered. aOnl
| - My Pm little tired and-my head ache
Hurry, mamma" as the call-boy al
pearei at the door; and, turning I
Raymond, he held out his little hant
aGood-bye," he said. ats time for me to {
on"
Little Dot hastened with his moth.