Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-20

agitated Q large audience. The lovely piima
donna was declaring 70 every one that she could
not go on: that she had lost her selt-con.rol
and felt like going into Mysteries As she stood
In the wings before the curtain rose the man.
ager of the theater. her maid and one or two of
the actors were doing all in their power to re-
assure her. They reminded her that she was
such favorite that she would own the audi
ence at the start and could not help being APP
piauded into perfect confidence at once She
went prancing nervously about, trembling with
emotion and uttering what sounded like prayers
that she might be saved from failure. She had
several times stopped to peep through small
hole in the curtain at the audience on the other
side. Suddenly, as she had paused once for
this purpose, she started back in great alarm.
clutched at her heart and seemed about 10
faint, Immediately she was pressed by those
watching her to say what she had discovered
that frightened her.
There's q cross-eyed man in the front row. "
she gasped- II am doomed unless You get HIM
away. can't go on-oh, l can't, can't Get
MN out OF the theater at once"
The manager tried to reason with her. but to
no purpose. She was in an exceedingly I'M
strung Condition, and he saw that remon-
strance was only making her worse. She re-
iterated emphatically that she would not go on
IN ner part II the cross-eyed man was permit
TED TO stay in the theater. 50 the manager
promised to remove the unfortunate spectator.
ne started forth, now considerably excited
himself, not knowing how he could manage TO
get nd OF the cross-eyed man. He stood JUS
Dack or the parquet circle seats debating the
question for a moment and then, an idea
struck him, rushed to the box Office.
Give me the ticket of A IL for tomorrow
night" he said hurriedly TO the treasurer.
The latter officer opened drSger and took
therefrom package of tickets. from which he
selected the one that the manager asked for.
Then the manager dashed into the theater
again and summoned the head usher.
d, Find man who wants a seat" he said to
the usher. Don't ask any questions now.
Get one of your friends that's standing up"
oETT1So RID OF THE nooDoo.
The usher only had to turn around and tap a
young man on the shoulder who was standing
at hand.
Here You are. sir" he said. "This chap
wants seat"
Very WELL" went on the manager. 'Nou
you arc to take him down to the front row with
this coupon and show him to A IL. There is a
man In A IL now and he holds The right coupon
for 1t. This coupon calls for that seat tomor-
row night. You viii hold this in your hand
and ask for the other fellows coupon. lie
Will hand 1t to You and you will look at it and
say 1t IS for the seat for tomorrow night al
the same time handing back to him this coupon
Then you will tell him that this man has to-
nights check for the seat, and say that if he
viii go to the box Office everything will be
made right 1 will be at the box Office when
he gets there. Now hurry"
The usher obeyed these directions as swiftly
as he could. The cross-eyed man undertook &c
dispute the newcomers claim to the seat but
upon the clever interchange of checks being
managed by the usher he was easily convinced
and with rather ill-grace made his way out and
fastened to the box office. The manager wa.
there to greet him, and, upon hearing his story
affected deep regret at the circumstances anc
declared he would do the next best thing tc
rectify the mistake.
Il can't give you another seat in the front
row for tonight" said he, ''but on shall have
an excellent one further back, and for tomor
row, If you like, will make you a present Of
Two as near to the stage as you want couldn't
do fairer than that, could I?'
The cross-eyed man agreed that this was
reasonable compromise, and went in to take hi
seat in the rear o. the parquet as contented az
he could be under the circumstances. By the
time the manager had hurried back into the
thcater the curtain was up and the prima
donna. looking as confiden. and sereneiy happy
as queen, was bowling her acknowledgment,
to perfect cyclone of applause which had
greeted her first song