Asheville daily citizen., 1893-04-03


They had probably inbibed the idea
from their mothers. whose activity in
church work had caused the little ones
to try to do something for the cause.
One of the most prec ciouS neInber of
he society of juveniles wrote a play in
w hich such members as were histrionical-
ly-inclined should appear. The parts were
assigned, and the children applied them
selves to the task of mernOrizing their
lines. Rehearsals began, and were held
III out-Ot- the-way places, where there
would he no chance of discovery by the
papas and mammas of the enthusiastic
little disciples of Thespis.
FINALLY every hing was ready for the
production and the young artists were
| III fine leather over the prospect. They
sent invitations to their parents to at
tend the performance, bringing
admission fee with them The night ofthe
play found a bi crowd in the rheater,
which, on this occasion, not
theatrr but large barn. The curtain
was rung up. or, rat her, parted in the
middle, and the audience watched the
development of the plot with the deepest
interest.
THE main characters in the little folks
drama were husband and wife. For
few months life was nothing more than
sweet dream to the loving couple. But
bye and bye cloud came the sky
of their happiness, gro wing out of the
fact that the wife had the money and
he husband could earn very little. There
were frequent chickering's around the
hearthstone and finally the husband,
coming to the conclusion that matters
were not getting better, went to the far
West, to grow up with the country. The
curtain closed on the parting scene, and
the au1lencc was requested to suppose
that Il few years had elapsed betwee
the first and second acts. The audience
did so, and presently the second act
was on
In this scene the wife, looking consider
ably older, was seated in her room alone
Not many minutes ella psed before the
husband, who had left his tireside years
before, rushed into the room and clasped
the wife in his arms. Alter the oscua
tory act had been gone through with
the little players seated themselves and
began talking about the way in which
Father Time had treated them. The
husband, whose name shall consider
John. took from each of his pockets hand
fuls OF gold and laid them on the table
while his bosom heaved with manly
pride as he remarked ''Darling, during
these long years | have not been idle; see
the lucre, or words to that effect.
Darling" agreed that he had done well,
and, rising, beckoned 'hubby'' TO follow
alcove, and with the proud remark NOR
have been idle, John " drew the curtain
aside.
THE audience Craned heir necks to take |
in the sight which the mind of the child
playwright had prepared for them.
There on couch reposed 10 ch ldren. all
apparently sleeping cOmpOsedly, utterly
oblivious to everything about them
The outburst of laughter from the au-
dience over the ridiculousne of the situ-
alton came near raising the roof off
the barn. and really broke up the show
1t was the greatest hit ever made in Lhe
town, but was never repeated.
THE amount of money represented bv
the new Easter bonnets in Ashe willie yes-
terdaY would keep me in victuals and
clothes for pretty nearly a lifetime, l
should think.
THE man OF business who takes the |
time to jump on his town in a public |
speech, accuse it OF any hing and every. |
thing, attempt to show it's people w here |
in they are off their base. and then tail ut !
terly to offer any remedy w hatever, is, to |
my mind, doing that which 'twere better |
TO leave undOne. ris by meeting eTner- |
2enCleS and overcoming them that
men prove themselves Great-not by |
spt ndlng their time III picking flaws.
The Tattjer. |