The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-01-27
TALE OF A TELEGRAM.
The CONSERVATION It Caused, and
the Happy Denouement
CHARACTERS:

w
Miss Nellie Withers. Mrs. withers' daughter
Mr.. Tom Withers, son of Mrs. Withers.
Mr.. Hayward Bridget.
Scene First.-A drawing room: door opening
on right. door opening on left and door open.
ing on rear. Mrs. Withers and Nellie seated on
SOFA
Mrs. Withers-My dear Nelly, my
nerves are quite unstrung at the thought
of the lonely night we must spend in
this desolate place.
Nelly-Yrue, mother,i it will be lonely;
but / see no cause for fear. Are not
the servants within call?
Mrs. W.-No. indeed; and therein
lies the real cause for anxiety. The
toachman left this afternoon. and his
wife has just told me he will not return
until tomorrow. This is the butler 8
night to be absent also; and instead of
waiting for tomorrow. Sunday, he left
this evening. This leaves us without
a man on the place. My dear Tom!
how l wish he were here!
Nei-Come, don't be depressed.
mother! am sure we shall get along
nicely.
ENTER Bridgetl
Brid.-A gintieman, mum. asking
after Misther Tom. Whin l tould him
he wasn't at home, he asked whin you'd
be looking for him. s-
Mrs. W.-Show him in, Bridget.
Some friend of Toms, no doubt. AT
least he is man. How fortunate!
ENTER Mr.. Hayward Black eyes, black hair
and a perceptible scar above the left brow. Mrs.
Withers rises to meet him
Mr.. H-Mrs. Withers. I presume?
Ny name is Hayward. Your son and
were at college together; and as l was
passing through this section, l thought
i would call and see my old friend.
Mrs. WI am glad you did so. Mr..
Hayward. this is my daughter. Miss
Nelly Withers.
Mr.. H-[Asidel Inever knew before
that my friend Frank Withers had a
sister. Turning to Nelly.l Good
evening. Miss Nelly.
Nell am very glad to meet you.
Mr. Hayward. Be seated. FAN sit. ]
Mrs. Wat any time. Mr.. Hayward.
we arc glad to meet friend of my
dear son. He will be absent for few
days; but we will be very glad to have
you remain with us during your stay in
this part of the country.
Mr.. MADAM, you are very kind.
1t will give ME casting tender glances
at Nelly great pleasure to accept your
generous hospitality. Exit Mrs.
Withers.] l had no thought, when l
started on my journey this morning.
that the evening would be spent in
such charming company.
Nel-Then YOU did not mean to stop
with rs; You only took us by chance,
after all.
Mr.. IA most happy chance for
me. Though had intended stopping
to see your brother. 1 was not aware
that he possessed lovely sister.
Nel.-You were at Emmettsburg with
Tom for four long years. and yet he
never spoke of me? What an indiffer-
ent brother!
Mr.. H-IAside] Tom! Emmetts-
burg! What does she mean? To
Nellyl Brothers are proverbially in
different to their sisters. Let it console
YOU that for your brothers Indifference
You will have the ardent admiration of
dozens of other men.
ENTER Mrs. wf,hers, with startled aspect,
holding an open telegram in her hand She is
accompanied by Bridget]
Mrs W.-Mr. Hayward. Bridget will
show you to your room. that you may
remove the dust of travel. [Mr. Hay
ward rises and follows Bridget They
go out at the left-hand door. Mrs.
Withers, turning to Nelly. falls fright
cned on the sofa Nelly, My dear!
NeL-Mamma. what has happened?
Mrs W.. = Extending telegram.
Read that my poor child!-a telegram
from Amelia-and realize our wretched
situation! Why did l ask that wretched
man to stop here? Better the chance
of evils from without, than the certain-
~ of a burglar within.
Ncl-A hurglara My dear mamma!
But let me read for myself. lGoes to
lamp and reads Beware of a man
with black hair and eyes, a scar over
the left brow, and calling himself
Toms friend. A burglar answering
this description has been roaming
through this part Of the country. and
was to go into your neighborhood to-
day." Oh. mamma! mamma! is it
true? Looks at telegram Yes. the
description is too accurate. Ozark
eyes and hair. scar above the left
brow, and calling himself Toms
friend"
Mrs Withers rises and walks up aud down,
Wringing her hands in hysterical teTror.l
Nell must concOct plan for our
deliverance. Islands with eyes cast
down, in an attitude of thought.
Speaking BRIGHTLY have it. mamma.
Leaves the stage with an air of conf
dence.
Mrs. W.-What does that rash child
mean? must follow her. Exit Mrs.
Withers1
[Scene Second-Dravingroom ~ before
restless fright Enter Nelly and Brideetl
NeL-Now. Bridget. you understand
our position fully. dent you?
Bird. Faith an do. and me heart
goes down into me feetone minute and