The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-11-07

AVAAA VI CAfAb-o AuNb htib ~ an
emergency fund would be exhausted.
She trotted patiently downtown and
visited each Of the big stores, determined
TO obtain work by some means. But the
polite answer she received on all sides
rendered argument impossible. She had
thought Of making some sort Of despcr-
ate appeal TO these frigid autocrats. But
once in their presence and she found it
impossible. Reasoning was out Of the
question.
"Leave your address" was the only
balm volunteered, and what balm that is
to the workseekerl
On her way home from this discourag-
ing quest, her eyes were attracted by n
glarng poster, iitfully lighted by neigh
boring lamp. In big blue letters the
announcement was made that glitte.ing
spectacle would shortly be presented at
Niblo's Garden, with "bevies Of beauti.
ful girls and hundreds of stalwart men,"
4 sudden inspiration came 10 Peggy.
She had been to the theatre but twice in
her life and knew very little about it, but
She had seen girls much uglier than she
was joining in stage crowds and playing
small, unimportant parts. If only she
could get n chance in ono OF the "bevies
Of beautiful girs." 1t would pay her
better than the sewing and it would be
pleasant change. without giving herself
time for reflection she went there and
then to the stage door of the big theatre
and asked to see the manager Of the COM
pany that was 70 give the production.
lie came to her and she did not faint
when he appeared. On the contrary, she
was very much on the alert and answered
all questions with a self-assurancc that
evidently pleased the gentleman who put
them.
lie apparently liked her appearance,
and lie smiled with sort Of gratitude
when she said she couldn't act, and
wasn't at all accomplished, because man
ayers very rarely meet that kind of per-
son. Applicants for positions on the
stage are nearly always the greatest
people on carth-in their own estima-
tion.
~ will give you n chance, young
lady he said at last, ;" and will cast you
for a small part called the Queen Of the
Gnomcs. You have but few lines TO
speak, and have finished at the end Of
the second act, when you can 80 home to
your mother
For Peggy had told this kindly
looking manager everything. She was
delighted at her luck aud went home
"ou air Il was not till later, when
her mother had fallen asleep over her
knitting, that Peggy began to feel a
little doubtful. She would not dare to
tell Mrs bennington what she was going
to do. The old lady had perfect horror
Of theatres, and, after all, Peggy re-
hec;cd, it would not be necessary to di-
vulgc her secret. She could Look for
work in the shops every day, and then
when she found it she could resign from
her queenship Of the gnomes. 1t was alb
solutcly necessary that she earn money.
Starvation stared them in the face with
out il. ~
And Jacl-no, she could not tell Jack.
Mr.. Ruilington would certainly not care
to imagine that his aiiiaaced wife was
every evening qucca OF the gnomes for
the benefit of critical public. Poor
Peggy. She rcbelled at the idea of de-
ccp,ioa. 1t is easy to be frank and
straightforward when there is no reason
why you should he otherwise. One thing
She remembered with JOY. Jack was
Obliged to work every night now. lie
would not miss her. They could spend
their Sundays together just the same as
ever. So Peggy went to rehearsal, and
was pronounced entirely competent. The
work was very distasteful to her; the
people with whom she came in contact
disgustcd her. But she associated with
them rs little rs possible, and was careful
to avoid giving oiIcnsc.
Pcggy's trials began during the first
week. The King of the Gnomcs per
sisted in prosecuting her with attentions.
He was very Objectionable creature,
and she tried hard TO let him see that
she thought so. She longed to confdc
in Jac!;-dcar old Jack-but there SHE
was without n soul in the world to whom
she could tell her troubles. In her princi,
pal scene with the King of the GnomcS
she had to tear from his face black vel
which he wore, and manifest astonish
mcnt at his features which she was sup
/ posed never TO have seen before, having
married him by some weird rite. Tn,
King always seized this opportunity tC
smile swectly and to press her hand af
fcctionatcly rs possible.
One night as she reached her home
she was going to her room, tired ant
/ discouraged, when, standing in the par.
lor, with an angry pallor on his face, shc
saw Jack. In IN agony of apprehension
she tried to mentally formulate some ex
cuses for her absence before she went t.
him, but he gave her no time. He rushed
to meet her, and drew her into the room
Peggy" he said, his eyes big will
reproach, "you out alone at this time o
night! Where have you beenl"
Peggy was silent. Her load Of wo
seemed really greater than she coulC
bear.
81 asked your mother" Jack went on
looking into her tear-dimmcd eyes, san,
she told me that you were out ever,
night now, working. Is that true"
"Jack"-Pcggy gulped down biz
sob-"how do you think we should liv'
if didn't workl Do you suppose W
have an income or-or-that tit rain