Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-24
a Little Hand.
From the Ohicqgo ye,os.


aLsaw an amusing incident the other
evening"" said the treasurer OF % Chicago
theatre, land one which revealed a wo.
mnn's true character. Just before the
curts In rose n carriage drove up In front
OF the Office and young gentleman
ali0hted, followed by one OF the prettlest
yOunR ladies have ever seen. There was
considerable OF a crowd Just then In front
of my window and IT. was two or three
minutes before he reached me. Finally
he appeared and asked me for two seats
in the orchestra circle. | had none left
that suited him, but offered him a box.
He concluded 10 take 1t and put his hand
in his pocket for the money. The lady
stood Just behind him but outside the
little brass rail. He evideutly had
searched for bis money in the wrong
pocket, for his hand came out empty only
10 dive into another. His face gradually
flushed as the search proceeded, until it
grew flaming red / should have been
perfectly willing to let him have the box,
as knew who he was and guessed that
in changing his dress he had forgotten the
money; but / wanted TO see what he
would do.
''Tne little woman waiting for him be-
came impatient at the delay. The nervous
tapping OF her fan on the rail was not ex-
actly in unison with the strains OF the
orchestra that could he heard from the
interior. At last, realizing that ne had
forgotten his pocketbO0k, the young man
addressed me by name and said
''I-er-have left my-er-pOcket-boOk in
my other trousers, but ! VIII give you
my card, and If you will oblige me with
the tickets | will send you the amount in
the morning.
Here he made dive into his inside
pocket for his card case, but failed 10
bring it TO light. He mad forgotten his
card case as well as his purse.
Il was about to hand him blank card
when caught sight OF the lady's face.
Her right hand held handkerchief TO
her lips, while her eyes, brimmIng over
with laughter, sparkled merri'y. She was
evidently enjoying his discontinue to
the utmost, and l was mentally reproach-
ing ner for lack OF sympathy, when
spied Just under the elbow OF the now
thoroughly embarrassed man small
hand pressed against his arm TO attract
his attention, while In its grasp was
dainty purse OF she'll and gold.
"The young man saw IL just as | did.
and with a sigh Of relief took the proffered
pOckctboOk. but without gentle pressure
on tue hand that 80 thoughtfuIlv and deli
cately had rendered its Offering. |
doubted If the purse held enough TO pay
for the box, but as he opened IL my
doubts fed. 1 could plainly see two or
three $40 bills neatly folded In one corner,
while In the other were flower and two
or three pieces Of cloth, evidently some OF
the samples TO be found in every womau's
purse or pocket.
"The tickets being paid for the couple
entered, and through the little door in the
back OF my office | saw them STOP in the
vestibule and engage IN courteous dis
cussiop. He seemed 10 wish her 10 take
back ner purse, which she finally did,
and, opening IL, gravely took out the little
wad OF bills and put It IN his hand. He
at first refused to receive it, but she per-
sisted and he accepted the loan. His
hand closed over hers, and If ever q mans
face could show absolute devotion bis old
then. l honestly believe be would have
proposed TO her on the spot had she not,
with a woman's intuition, foreseen the
probability, quietly taken mis- arm, and
moved toward the entrance OF the box.
/ saw them later during the play, and l
am sure be watched her face much more
closely than be did the stage. After the
ourta n tell 1 stood on the sidewalk and
heard him tell the driver to 90 10 a
fashionable restaurant. l am willing 10
bet bottle Of wine that their engage
ment Is announced before a month is
passed"