Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29

4Lo1t Ol aye, anu ul1 Nalt was mlucAuEt = lOAl
the rear he looked odd, for all the pockets
of bis coat were stuffed ont to their full limit
with envelopes. while his arms were held
akimbo to allow for two boxes that he car.
ried beneath them. He looked not unlike &
laJter-day Santa Claus. but instead Of filing
stockings it seemed to be his duty to fill the
post-boxes that are fastened to the lamp
posts. he would upon reaching a post de.
posit a large share Of his envelopes, and
then pass on until he reached another. box,
where he would resume his work. This
performance was kept up all the way down
to the Union Club, at Twentieth street, and
by that time the modern Santa Claus bad
shrunk into the fairly well-proportioned
man for which nature had intended him.
At the corner he turned with en-. air oi
pride at having done so much 50 cleverly, and
in another moment he was sitting in the
club window, looking somewhat tatigued,
but satisfied. The modern Santa Claus was
Ward McAllister, and he was sending out
invitations to something or other, probably
the famous New Years ball.
Just to show that there is fact in the
adage, Truth is stranger than fiction" let
me tell what was told the other evening in
a circle of friends who are very much given
to discussing literature and art. In their
little Symposium everyone had to pay an
admission fee in the only coin which is cur
rent there-that is, IN wit After passing
judgment on recent literary efforts. they be.
gan to discuss Camille" and all agreed
that it was pre-eminently the model of its
wicked kind. The most enthusiastic ad-
mirer Of the play was woman whose name
is we'll known in literature, but which I
am not privileged to give.
A STRANGE STORY.
ssWhen 1 was 2o,'' she said, ssI began to
teach languages to earn my living. This
did not succeed, and one Gne morning my
last pupil turned me adrift. What to dc
next 1 didn't know. All the forenoon
wandered about in search of an idea. I
was all worn out, physically and mentally.
A cold, fine rain began to fall, chilling me
to the bone, and rousing me from my
dismal reflections, so that began to
look about for a place of shelter.
While so doing / came upon crowd of
people, an interminable line, pushing,
jostling, scolding, crying out-all because
they were getting wet, and because the
doors OF the theater which they were be-
sieging did not see fit to open for the matt
nee of "Camille" earlier than usual. I
took refuge in a neighboring doorway and
watched the people enter. Then the idea
occurred to me to do likewise. Now, my
judgment was not backward in telling me
that this pleasure was scarcely in keeping
with my finances; but reasoned to myself
that it was the highest kind of economy to
get under shelter, for the rain, by damag-
ing my clothes, would cost me more than
the price of modest seat. So went to the
box-office and asked for what wanted.
None left here responded voice that
seemed to come from the depths Of the
earth.
"I was retiring from the field discom-
fitted, when was accosted on the sidewalk
by an amiable person, who offered me, for
modest compensation, an excellent seat in
box. He was so persuasive, and my desire
to see the play was so great, that we came to
terms, and armed with his ticket re-entered
the theater.
"'Better leave your cloak in the dressing
room, ma'am,' SAID the usher. 1t is wet,
and there are already five in the box
HoNEsTY's REWARD.
"It was with much reluctance confded
the garment to his care, because I feared he
would expect fee. The door of the box
was opened for me, and its five occupants,
already in bad humor from waiting too long,
looked decidedly askance at me. In spite
of this unsympathetic reception estab-
lished myself in my seat, feeling that it was
well paid for, and settled down to delight
full afternoon. Just before the closing scene
the usher came around with nv CLOAK. All
at once rumnr was started that caused q
panic. The gas jets were extinguished at
once; somebody shouted fire; the confused,
shrieking mass surged and
Swayed in the darkness, their senses para
lyzed by fear. 1t was horriblel Amid this
universal panic was fortunate enough to
retain some slight intelligence, and despite
the horror of the situation my hand had
been extended in the direction of my prop
erty. I seized it-as thought
and held it above my head for
safe keeping. Before long the en-
ployes of the theater restored order. There
had been no fre-only new gasman had
turned off the gas by mistake. Every one
was entreated to be calm and to go out
quietly. This, however, was easier to say
than to do, and for my part was glad to
find myself once more out on the sidewalk
in the rain. Imagine my establishment at
finding on my arm mans overcoat. I
searched the pockets. They were empty.
examined it carefully, and superior as it
was to my own feminine garment, failed
70 rejoice at the acquisition. All at once I
elt hard object between my fingers in the
Iide pocket. took it out, and discovered
/ wallet. 1t contained $500 and several
,ards inscribed with the name of million
lire hastened to the address, and, after
prolonged argument with the hall boy and
parleying with the valet, I was
It last permitted to see the Croesus. he
hanked me for my trouble, and declared
hat he would order new cloak for me at
,nce.
"'But how did you know the coat was
nine?' he asked.
ST learned it from your. card in this
valet, answered.
'sHow careless am said the rich man. i
night have looked for that money for a long
ime without remembering where it was.
I'M extremely obliged to you Then look
ng at me keenly, he went on: IF could
'e of any use to you, it would give me great
pleasure
'tHis face showed such kind interest that
'efore long had put him in possession of
III the facts of my history. He listened
With attention, and as rose to go he prom
sed to keep me in mind. A week later 1
,ecame a well paid tutor to his grand
hildren, and from that time on have had
10 financial troubles. 1t was the wicked
Camille that gave me start in life."
The names would add interest to that
rue story, but must not give them.
CLARA BELLE.
mpTutnV TO uIoumv pTCu