Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-04-11
LITTLE DOT, TnE CHILD VOCALIST.

LITTLE DOT, THE CHILD VOCALIST.
"He's splendid card. =" exclaimed
the manager. enthusiastically.
us he, indeed? said Vance Ray.
mond, rather abstractedly. as lac gaZcd
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, ON which his companion served
as n dramatic critic. was making him
self almost extensively agreeable.
The hit of the show he emphatic
ally affirmed. "You Il wait for him.
won yOuP He comes on next.
II don't know whether can spare
The time sad 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 Dor,
The Phcnom nal Child Artist. i'm his
wonderful character changes follow
ell by more terms of n laudatory char
actor. similarly cNtravagant.
Raymond carclrssly cast h's pro-
gramme aside and watched the two
upon the stage. They were going
through what figured on the bills as an
''acroUatic song and dance Presently
they executed remarkable somer.au' [
that brought fOrtI n cloud of dust an
made their exit, fOlDwe by the deaf
enmg applause of the gallery. I'm re-.
Sponse. they came out and bowed. and
the stamping Of feet and clapping of
hands gradually clos d.
The quiet that fell upon the house
was broken by the tinkle Of the prOmpt-
crs bell The eyes of the audience ex-
pectantly sought the WINS. The mu-
slclans 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 dclicately striped
pink stockings. appeared on the stage.
a crimson handkerchief protruded
slightly from his pocket and an eve
glass dnnglcd at his side. In his hand
ho held light cane. which he twirled
foppshly ut Intervals.
Such pinched. wan face he turned
toward the audience. ~ he began his
song IN the yellow glare of the foot
lights! lcvorish t'ush was ON his checks
AMI his eyes sfarkled with unnatural
hrilliancy. Raymond felt his heart
grow soft with pity rs he listened to the
rare. sweet voice that 10 his cxrcri-
snced ear already showed signs Of
Poor little chap he murmurcd:
hes scarcely Sven. | should Judge 3"
And somehow tender thought of his
two little chicks, dreaming perhaps OF
their childish heroes nj the time. came
10 him. He watched little Dot through
tho mist that had gathered i'm his eyes.
The song soon came TO an end and
the child soon disappeared. followed
oy the enthusiastic approval Of the au-
uience. Tho manager joined in the ap-
plause AMI turned TO Raymond. his face
beaming with pleasure.
"EhP ehP' he said. delightedly.
doesn't he bring down the house? Ar
infant PRODIGY, and all that. YOU know.
Pom my woFl, it's worth the price of
admission O. see him alone"
"kather ~ subject for the Society
Tor the Prevention Of Cruelty To Chill
drcn, should say" remarked Ray
mond. drylT. For my part hate
your infant rrodigics. They all ought
tn be in their hc Is nc this hour en- 'oy-
ing tho Sleep II healthlul children"
The manage: eyed him sharply.
'StuH and nnnsenseN' he yruuted
Then. in n more cheerful tone: Just
watch him this next rurn. His drunken
man Is something wonderful. I'm
capable Of criticiling hat, YOU know"
And he hushed the chucl<le on his lips
as Little DOt-a complete metamor-
phosis-staggercd in with high silk
hat crushed over his eyes and n white
handkerchief hanging from his coat-tail
pocket
The drunken hiccough aud thick ut
terance with which he rendered the
song fairy convulsed the audience
When he was through. he was greeted
with n terrific storm OF applause
True TO LIE. WASH tlt,n laughed the
manager. "Well. Il ought To be. He's
had plenty OF chance To get points.
goodness knows. His father Whitley
of the stars. who are playing at the
Globe this week. Good actor. hut
boozes too much. That is why he and
his vile separated. It's lucky she's
got the boy. He's worth cool
seventy-fve dollars to her every week"
Raymond listened with his ewes in
tent upon the stage. Little Dot was re-
spending To his second encore. When
he nished he was vociierously re-de-
manded. Again he came out and de.
livered pathetic little recitation that
evoked fresh applause. Raymond grew
indignant.
"What a shame.' he muttered.
aDgrily. They'd keep the poor little
fellow before them the whole night II
they could"
AT that moment Little Dot appeared
from the wings anil raised his hand TO
his lips. The pink glow on his lips had
died out. and in its place was n took of
utter wsar ness. The audience must
have noticed il, for the house grew still
and the performance proceeded with
tho next act
Raymond buttoned Up his overcoat
closely and left tho theater IL was a
bitter night and the streets were we'll
nigh deserted. The Snow lay deep upon
the ground. aud raw. bleak wind blew
the still-falhng flakes remorselessly In
bis 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 a ! the show AZ an
hour when other children were costly
tucked away In bed, and his heart was
file with pity at tho contrast.
"roor little chap" he said again.
with q sigh. I'm give him a good no