Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-03-15
OUT OF PAWN.

Clayyille with his theatrical party he and
they were in hard luck. The concern had
made more misses than hits, and the
money chest was reduced nearly TO its
last dollar. The only hope Of Sam and
the company was that the one perform
ance at Clayville would yield them
I enough 10 enable them 10 square ac-
counts and get on TO Upton, where they
had a contract for what is known in
theatrical ~parlance as "a certainty" II
was soon apparent that this hope was
doomed to disappointment, and it was
indeed most wofully disappointed. The
Clayyille people failed TO be attracted by
! the attraction; the little theater was dis
tressingly empty. and the receipts were
lamentably small. There was Just about
enough money in the concern TO pay the
way Of the party to Upton, but nothing
beyond that TO settle the hotel bill, and
they knew well that their trunks would
be held until il was settled o~r'arranged."
But they were not due in Upton for two
days-their dates" having been clumsi-
" made-and in the meantime some
thing might be done. In the meantime,
also, the bill would be getting bigger.
Sam Curley put n bold face on the
matter, and proceeded TO cultivate the
acquaintance Of Mr.. Hobson. the land
lord, who was disposed 10 be friendly,
though he had iron-clad ideas of his own
concerning play actors He was
rather lonesome IN his hotel. especially
during the absence Of his son Andrew, a
young nan who was Just then finishing
his course at the Upton college. 1t APP
peered that Andrew was the old mans
Joy and hope and pride, and he loved 10
talk about him. But when the manager
mentioned his lack Of money. and ex-
pressed q desire TO take his party and
their baggage to Upton, with the prom
Use that be would settle the bill in a few
days, the stern hotcl-keeper became
sterner than ever and solemnly declared
that not a trunk should leave the house
until the bill was paid In vain did Cur
lev enlarge upon the certainty" that
awaited him at Upton, and his ability to
meet the claim if he could fill his en-.
gagement in that town. The ultimatum
Of the obdurate Hobson remained I'm.
changed.
This was maddenin~. but Sam Curley
kept his temper and sot his wits 90 work
to find a way nj Of the scrapc. He sen;
his leading lady, known TO the public Is
Miss Emma Montague, oil to Upton
with his property man to see how the
land lay there, and Hobson smiled grim.
" as he saw them depart without a BIZ
of baggage. She had scarcely had time
to reach Upton when a telegram adj
dressed TO her came to the hotel. Sam.
ual had received it in the presence OF
Landlord HIobson.
Il Lelieve / had better open IT," h.
said, land il it proves TO be Of sufficient
Importance / viii forward it to her at
TI0ton.n
Hardly had he torn open the envelope
when he uttered q cry Of Amusement.
at is from Upton he exclaimed. a
can't understand this. How did shl
ever get acquainted with that young
man.
What young man?" indiferently in.
quired Hobson.
Your son, Andrew Hobson."
'My son?'
"Yes. This telegram is from him
Take il and read it. | can't uphold hcr
in that sort Of thing. Not for world,
would | break a fond fathers heart"
The landlord read. with n mist brforJ
his eyes, these startling words:
Come NJ once, without waiting for timc q
performance here, add we will be married 10
morrow. Everything arranged.
''She has gone there to meet him.
shrieked the landlord. ''Shc will marry
him. and my boy will be lost to me
Married to a strolling player, who mus
be at least ten years older than he is
This is terrible. How did il happen.
Where did he meet her?n
ut is all a mystery 10 me-" answerc'
Curley. You must know that | synpa
thize with you deeply. or | would neyet
have shown YOU that telegram
BLESS YOU for that! The marriag,
must be prevented, and | must 90 Il
Upton at once. But Andrew IS of age
and is fearfully stubborn. What shah
do?"
II will GO with you," exclaimed Cur
lev. AT any sacrifice our home mus
be protected. have an influence witt
Miss Montague that no other man pos
sesses, and | will exert it 10 the utmos
in your behalf. l. and | alone, can turi
her from her purpose and persuade he
not to marry Your son"
BLESS you again. We will take th
next train"
But the rest Of the company Or
here suggested the manager. Il can
leave them and they can't 90 with III
without their baggage"
Take them along. baggage and all
Tell them at once TO get ready. and be il
a hurry"
You shall lose nothing by that, Nh
Hobson."
Il don't care what lose If oan say
my son from that harpy."
Sam Curley and his party lost no tim
in packing their trunks, and IIobsor
himself saw the precious baggage rat
tied on a wagon and hurried to the de
pot, where the Hit or Miss Coined,
company took the first train for Upton
accompanied by the manager and tn
anxious landlord.
They reached that town as an earl
hour in the night, and went at once d
the hotel at which Miss Montague wa
stopping, where Curley led his frien'
Hobson TO a private room.
you had better stay here q littl
while" he said. Try TO be calm an,
hope for the best. / win immediatel
have a private interview with the youn,
lady, and viii use all my influence t
persuade her not TO marry your son. ID
not fear that / shall fail. i am deter
mined to protect you in this matter"
The landlord waited anxiously an
impatiently. Ii was not more than hal
an hour that he was compelled to wait
but he could have sworn that it was tire
times as much.
At last the manager came in, bringin,
his leading lady.
His face was radiant, wearing the fiusI
Of success, and possibly of a few drinks
but Miss Montague was evidently op
pressed by melancholy Of the deepest dc
scription.
There were tears in her eyes as sh
addressed Mr.. Hobson.
Il find myself in a painful position
sir" she said; '.but everything must civ
way TO duty and to gratitude. Mr.. Gun
Icy has described your feelings to me
and has also told me of the great favo