The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-05-21
LITTLE DOT.

"He's splendid card" exclaimed the
manager, enthusiastically.
sis he, indeed2" said Vance Raymond,
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 theatres. The manager
eager for n good notice in the daily upon
which his companion served as dra-
matte critic, was making himself almost
Extensively agreeable.
The hit of the showm he emphati-
cally affirmed. you'll wait for him,
won't you2 He comes on next
81 don't know whether | can spare the
time, D." 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 DoTl
"The Phenomenal Child Artist, in his
wonderful character changes followed
by more terms of a laudatory character,
similarly extravagant.
Raymond carelessly cast his programme
aside and watched the two upon the
stage They were going through what
figured on the bills as an "acrobatic song
and dance" Presently they executed a
remarkable somersault that brought forth
cloud of dust and made their exit, fol-
lowed by the deafening applause of the
gallery. In response they came out and
bowed, and the stamping of feet and
olapping of hands gradually ceased.
The quiet that fell upon the house was
broken by the tinkle of the prompter's
bell. The eyes of the audience expect
antly sought the Wings The musicians
raised their instruments and began to
play one of the popular airs in vogue.
"Watch him." whispered the manager.
ga born actor, and no mistake
AS he spoke, little figure, clad in
black velvet suit with deiicately striped
pink stockings, appeared ON the stage.
A crimson handkerchief protruded slight
ly from his pocket and an eye-glass
dangled at his side. In his hand he
held light cane, which he twirled fop-
pishly at intervals.
Such a pinched, wan face he turned
toward the audience, as he began his
lights A feverish flush was on his
cheeks and his eyes sparkled with un-
natural brilliancy. Raymond felt his
heart grow soft with pity as he listened
TO the rare, sweet voice that to his eX-
perienced ear already showed signs of
breaking.
''Poor little chap" he murmured ;
''he's scarcely seven, | should judge. s"
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 en-
thusiastic approval of the audience. The
manager joined in the applause and
turned to Raymond, his. face beaming
with pleasure.
''Eh eh 2" he said delightedly
''Doesn't he bring down the house An
infant prodigy, and all that, you know.
Pom my word, its worth the price of ad-
mission to see him alone"
"Rather fit subject for the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, l
should say, remarked Raymond, dryly.
''For my part l hate your infant prodi-
gies. They all ought to be in their beds
at this hour enjoying the sleep of health
full children
The manager eyed him sharply
''Stuff and nonsensem he gTunted.
Then, in a more cheerful tone: "Just
watch him this next turn. His drunken
man is something wonderful. I'm capa-
BILE of criticising that, you know" And
he hushed the chuckle on his lips as Lit
tie Dot-a complete metamorphosis-
staggered in with a high silk hat
crushed over his eyes and white hand
kerchief hanging from his coat-tail
pocket.
The drunken hiccough and thick ut
terance with which he rendered the song
fairly c6nvulsed the audience. When
he was through, he was greeted with q
terrific storm of applause.
"True to lite, wasn't it2" laughed the
manager. "Well, it ought to be. he;
had plenty of chances to get points,
goodness knows. His fathers Whitley,
of the Stars, who are playing at the
Globe this week. Good actor, but
boozes too much. That is why he ano
his wifO separated, It's lucky she's got
the boy. He's worth cool seventy five
dollars to her every week"
Raymond listened with eyes inten
uhon the stage Little Dot was respond
hR 20 his second encore. When he hn