St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-24
A CRUEL JOKE.
1t Is Played by One Who Is Known
as Jim the Halter.

as Jim the Halter.
New York Sun.
Z. Waffies was large and shambling
man with gentle blue eyes, huge teeth
and cavernous mouth.
He, too, fell before the victorious
standard of Miss Peachblow. Once a
week lie called, and all the week he
haunted the more populols highways,
in hopes of meeting her in her walks
abroad.
But Sinful Jim, or Jim the Halter. as
he is sometimes called. was on~ the
watch. This man jim is so filled to the
throat with spleen and wickednesS that
the wonder is he does not choke.
Well,he plotted and he plotted, land he
lost his good sleep in plotting the UNI
doing Of the same good Waffles. Then
a most devilish scheme came into his
head, and he sprung up, crying: II
have i'll"
Ever go supe at the theater, Waffies J"
said Sinful Jim that evening, as he and
this kindly and well-meaning youth
were smoking ante-dinner cigarettes at
the club.
NO." said Waff1es.
"More fun than a barrel of goats.
Let's" said jim the Halter.
Waff1es was an unadyenturouS youth
and did not regard the plan with favor,
but Jim so cajoled and wheedled him
that he consented to go behind the
scenes and see. Once behind, and the
maze of ropes and pulleys. and gigantic
eXteriOrS and interiors and painted ami
mails confused this kindly man, and he
stood wide-mouthed and in amaze.
Suddenly looking about he perceived
that Sinful Jim, though this was not the
name by which he knew this sinful
man, was no longer at his side. but in a
recess of the wings. and there seemingly
engaged In earnest conversation with a
stout man who flashed with diamonds.
Wednesday," said the Serpent. "He
says that there are only two vacant
places. One in the Ethiopian chorus,
and you have to wear ring in your
nose and put grease paint and black
stuff on your face, and wear dirty sort
of potato-bag gown. And the other is a
European, and you just go as you are.
Can you sing"'
mo" said Waff1es. And this the
Serpent knew full we'll.
''In the chorus. of course, you have to
make bluff at singing, buta one can
do that. Perhaps the pest way would
be to toss up; there seems to be a good
deal of choice. You CALL" And the
Serpent spun half dollar in the air.
Heads" said the dazed Waffles.
As the half-dollar came down through
the air it was cunningly caught by the
evil man.
'Heads it is, me boy!" said he, cheer
lily, land you get the European"
Then they went to their respective
homes,
Now this sinful man had female col
laboratOr in much of his wrong-doing,
and this helper was Mrs. Isbister,a lady
of much intelligence and great promi-
nence in many circles of fashion and
gayety. To her he hied him straight.
'.Six seats front row for Wednesday
and Miss Peachblow to go. 1t shall be
done, devil" said the good lady.
Look here" said Waffies, who on
three days. reflection thought better of
the European, II don't much want to
go tonight: Can't we get out of it9''
Get out of 1t! Oh. thunder, man |!
why I've given up two engagements to
go. Don't go back on me now" said
James the Halter.
''All right" said Waffles, "Only l say,
don't say anything about it, will you? l
don't want it to get about"
''Never word,' said Sinful jim.
The orchestra played merry polka,
a bell rang, the footlights were turned
up, and the curtain, gorgeously adorned
with scenic view Of Venice by night.
arose. There in the forefront of the
stage sat, in the simple disguise of even
ing dress, 10 other than f. Waff1es, be-
fore him; on the other side of little
table sat spangled Amazon, with
whom Waffies innocently played cards.
In the background palms waved and
the Ethiopian chorus stood in semi
circle.
What an expression of cruel pleas
ure there is Oh the face of that second
man in the chorus" said the young man
who sat next to Miss Peachblow, and to
whom Waff1es was unknown.