River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-05-09
THE CHINA FAIRY.
A Short Experience as Popular
Dramatist.

Tom johnson was five-and-twenty,
and 4 clerk in the city. He was mar
ried To the dearest little woman in the
world. and they lived in three rooms
in a nice respectable street near Cam
den Town Rose. Toms wife, was a
perfect little household fairy. Tom
could only give her thirty shillings a
week out OF his salary, but she did
wonders with IT, The little sitting
room WAS always bright and coy and
clean. and there was always something
nice for Toms tea when he came home
tagged out with the work and worry
of the Office. OF course they were
Obliged to be very economical, and to
deny themselves many things they
would have liked. but one treat they
always allowed themselves every week,
and that was a visit to a place of
amusement Tom and Rose were both
very fond OF the theater. and by wait
ing till a play had had good run. and
by getting 10 the doors early, they
generally managed to get a good place
in the pit.
Being so fond of the theater. Tom
and Rose naturally took a good deal of
interest in the theatrical items of news
and gossip. without which nowadays
n newspaper is not considered to be
fully adapted to the requirements of
the public
Poor little Rose used to give a sigh
of envy sometimes when Tom read out
to her the paragraphs about the enOr-
nous incomes which dramatic authors
were making. 20 Tom" she would
say. "faucy making hundreds fpOunds
"a week like that just for writing a
play! Fancy if you had been able TO do
it,"
1T would be fine. wouldn't it?n Tom
would reply, and then they would be-
gin fancying what they would have
done with the money. They would
have had beautiful house and car
riage and "A pair for Rose; and when
she went to the theater or the first
night 10 see her husband come on the
stage and bow amid the tremendous
applause of a crowded house. she would
have WORN the lOveliest dresses, and
her diamonds would have been the
envy of all the ladies.
"Oh. how beautiful it would be,
Tom" the young wife cried. one day.
as they conjured up visions Of splendOr
together; mo getting mp at half-past
seven in tho morning for you. dear; no
turning out in All winds and weathers;
YOU would be able to have your break
fast nice and comfortably with me. and
take plenty Of time over it; and you
would stop ut home and work in your
study. and l could bring my sewing
and sit with You, and when you'd fin
ished we should be able to have dinner
together. and go out every evening to
some place of amusement O Tom.
dear. couldn't you write a play?"
Tom shook his head I'm afraid
not. Rose. he said. There's pccul-
lar knact about il, I expect
Il suppose it is very difficult, sighed
Rose.
You may be sure il Is. my dear. =
answered Tom. scr there would be a
great many more people doing it. and
the authors wouldn't hc getting such
prices for their work rs We read about
in the newspapers
One Saturday Tom and Rose went to
the morning performance Of a play
that had been acted two hundred times
straight of in London. and the author
Of which was reported already 10 have
realized ten Thousand pounds by it.
On their way home they passed an
old curiosity shop. and stopped 10 look
in az the window. Among the odd,
and ends there was 4 pretty little china
fairy. to which Rose took a great
fancy.
90 Tom. dear She cried. .'loOk al
that little china figure. Isn't il pretty
That's just the sort Of thing | should
like on my mantel-shelf l should
never be tired Of looking at it. Do go
in ard see how much it is"
Tom went in and asked the price,
ana returned with the information that
II vas ten shillings-
ssOh. dear" said Rose. that's much
more than we can afford. Come along
Tom"
Blu: though Rose said Come along.
she didn't move. She stood looking
lovingly at the little china fairy. All
at once she gave start. %, Tom.
she exclaimed; look at that fairy,
lips. they're moving.
What nonsensef said Tom, laugh
inc: you've been staring at it; Its
On optical Illusion
TON, would it be very wicked II vs.
bought il. I'd save the money out o
my housekeeping"
Well. it's a lot OF money. but Idar'
say II won't ruin US I see You want i
dear, and you shall have IL
And before Rose could stop him Ton
had stepped into the shop. and pres
emily he came out with the little chin;
kAirv carefully wrapped uD in naper