The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-04-11
LITTLE DOT, THE CHILD VOCALIST.

i leave, you III nave no spring AGAIN.
e. J. Wheeler, in st. Nicholas.
LITTLE DOT, THE CHILD VOCALIST.
Hes 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
daily upon which his companion served
as dramatic critic. was making HIM
self almost Extensively agreeable.
The hit of the shown' he emphatic
ally affirmed. "You II wait for him,
won't you? He comes on next"
Il don't know whether 1 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 holder than the rest, he read:
e- LITTLE DOT!
1.-The Phenoma nal Child Artist, in his
wonderful character changes follow
ed by more terms of a laudatory char
actar, similarly eXtravagant.
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
''acro attic song and dance Presently
they executed remarkable somersault
that brought forth cloud of dust. and
made their exit, followed by the deaf
Of ha t.,
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-
pectantly sought the wings: The mu-
sicians raised their Instruments and be-
gan 70 play one of the popular airs in
vogue.
Watch him." whispered the man.
ager. "A born actor, and no mistake"
As he spoke, a little figure, clad in Il
bla velvet suit with delicately striped
pink stockings. appeared on the stage.
A crimson handkerchief prot uded
Slightly from his pocket and an eye
81; SIS dangled at his side. In his hand
he held light cam. which he twir.ed
foppshly at intervals.
Such Punched. wan face he turned
toward the audience, as he began his
song in the yellow glare of the foot
lights, A leveri>h flush was on his cheeks
and his eyes sparkled with unnatural
brilliancV. Raymond felt his heart
grow soft with pity AS he listened to the
rare, sweet voice that to his eXDeri-
enced ear already showed sgus eof
breaking.
Poor little chap" he murmured:
''he's scarcely Sven. should Judge :"
And somehow a tender thought of his
two little chicks. dreaming perhaps o.
their childish heroes NJ the time, came
10 him. He watched lii tie Dot through
the mist that had gathered in his eyes.
The song soon came to an end and
the child soon disappeared, followed
" the enthusiastic approval of the au-
lence. The manager ioined in the APP
plau>e ami turned to Raymond, his face
beaming with pleasure.
''kh? Ell? be said. delightedly.
doesn't he bring down the house? Ar
infant prodigy, and all that, YOU know
Pom my word. it's worth the price of
admission ID see him alone
Rather a fiji subject for the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chill
dren, should say" remarked Ray
mond. dryly. For my part 1 hate
your infant rrodigies. They all ought
to be in their beIs at this hour en-. oy-
ing the sleep of healthful children. "
The manager eyed him sharply.
s.Stuff and nonsense he grunted.
Then, in a 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-
pboSiS-staggered in with a high silk
hat crushed over his eyes and white
handkerchief hanging from his coat-tail
pocket
The drunken hiccough and thick ut
terance with which he rendered the
song fairy convulsed the audience
When he was through. he was greeted
with a terri C storm of applause.
True TO LIE, WASH t it," laughed the
manager. .'Well. it GU hit to be. He
had plenty of chance to get points,
goodness knows. His father Whitley
-Ol the 'oIdIS, VIII are Jpidl my dI lne
Globe this week. Good actor, but
boozes too much. That is why he and
his wife separated. It's lucky she's
got The boy. Hes worth a 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 i nished he was vociferously re-de-
manded. Again he came out and de-
livered pathetic little recitation that
evoked fresh applause. Raymond grew
indignant.
..What shame," he muttered,
angrily. They'd keep the poor little
fe low before them the whole night if
they could.
At that moment Little Dot appeared
from the wings AMI raised bis hand to
his lips. the pink glow on his lips had
died out, and in its place was a look of
utter wear ness. The audience must
have no iced it, for the house grew still
and the performance proceeded with
the next act.