The herald., 1894-12-25

SLOWLY tnan was IL wont TO 90 In years /,
the storm seemed not to lessen q little |;
he must wait bit. He fumblsd his old
play bills and scrap books, and the great
bell next door that rang the noon hour
struck responsive chord within the
old mans heart that had seldom entered
that receptacle of endearment.
His progress down the stairs was at
tended with rather "andsnte" move
ment and when he had reached their
base and the weather. beaten door ane-
wered mis- feeble turn at the knob, he
awoke to the realization that he was
again going amidst his fellow men. One
OF the great number enrolled in Gods
man withal. He glanced at his homely
old watch with its ponderous chain and
locket. within the latter we're the minia-
the dusty frames on the wall. The time
kept by the cukoo clock was spasmodi-
cal, hence he had little use for the
referred to it, but the pictures within
The heavy fall Of snow impeded his
progress greatly. He rested a bit at the
groceries ne could recall how he often
when he was lone OF the profession" /;
the drug shop also afforded him . tsrry>
ing place he counted the bottles on the
shelves by way OF distraction, and rum
mated, aud recalled how often he had
played the apothecary with the best
OF 'em." He moved on and the exer-
tion was about to tell upon him when
the theatre entrance WAS reached. He
could hardly credit him self with max.
ing the distance 30 successfully. The
people were already passing their cards
boards to the man behind the green
covered door the ,nan in the boxoffice
was stout and dark, and q pair OF wary
eyes gszed through gold-rimmed glasses;
the old player took bis place in the line
OF the many puroh ssers anxious to pro-
cure tickets for the play. His turn came
at laet the request" he rehearsed so
often was some " h at modified, and with
a smile that seemed to try to DER.
shadow possible DISAPPOINTMENT. he
said: docs the courtesy of this theatre
extend to piscs Of antiquity long
since forgotten ?"
The calious man with tho kold.rimmed
glasses said he must "nioys on" he waa
keeping the line waiting. that he had no
time for triherH. The old mans humble
pride would brook no such insult; the
flush of humiliation, half scorn and bit.
ter disappointment overspread the fea-
tIrea 40 long void OF from color. He
was CALLED to the very quick; stagcer-
ing, reeling to the curb, he threw him.
self upon the friendly support Of bill
board that encased the lights on the
walk. Why should he not complain to
his friend. the star? He must! he
would He made his way to the stage
door iD the rear, and there the autocrat
Of that aperture sat with tilted chair,
smoking pensively and gazing upon the
inevitable mail-rsck againat the wall,
apparently oblivious to all care. The
old mans Interrogation Was met with
an abrupt response. the purport OF
" hich was 'that the star had lett ordera
not to permit card.sending, and that he
would gee no one during the progress OF
tho performance"
Unconscious insult TO injury. Shame!
Shams He'd go homo. he'd write hia
grievaucs sto his friend-his only re-
dress. The way seemed twice AZ long
aud arduoua. He busted himself az to
how he should couch his language in
his missive tu his friend, recountius the
unpardonabls indignity to which he
had been subjected. He reached the
mighty, massive, granite steps OF the
cathedral at last. aud he felt as though
he was near home again. A strange
feeling eucom passed him. aud eome-
thing more strange seemed to possess
him.
How hsavy bis heart was; how be-
numbsd became his senses; how bitter
was the struggle OF that day. His heart
was dssd; he was done with life. He
wac won't to pray that the Great
Prom pter, that is aver ready with the
word, in whose thsster the profession is
always recognized, where no admission
fee 10 charged, whoss people are eu-
gagged for an indefinite length Of time
and are pever late for rehearaal. would
take him to his keeping.
He sank upon the steps OF the church
weary and exhausted; finally, losing
his equilibrium, he toppled over and
the few faithful that came forth from
the benediction service, formed q sym
pathetic group about the decrspit
figure. While debating amongst them.
selvee as to the beet course 20 puraue as
to relief. last convulsion from the old
man put their worst feara at rest. His
''tag' speech bad been rendered and
the final curtain OF his life was rung
down. He was dead. In his last mo-
ment he had clutnhed at the old locket
on his chain, aud in his writings it
became opened and displayed the two
faces encased within. With gentle, de.
vout, misn, adown the snow.oovered
steps, came two holy women OF the
church, who haG given their lives for
the good of all mankind. Their long
black veils encirclsd their heads and the
white circular collars they wore, aure-
olsd. as 'twere, the plaoidity of their
mobile faces. They made their way to
the PROSTATE form one of the holy sis :
ters glanced at the aged face, and on
encountering the younger face in the
lockst, there was a startled cry, and
falling prone across the body, abe was
anxiously contemplated by much
amazed crowd. The next morning there
WAS solemn requiem sung at the great
church next door.
The great organ viprates through the
kitchen ware as OF old, but the fire on
thajhearth was out forever. Still the hem.
locks keep O moaning and the big bell
on ringing. The great dramatiet has
called one more star in--the same dra-
mstist that gave us our LIES part to
play 60 that when We are summoned
before him to have it revised and re-
written and assigned our long and labt-
ing role. we cannot deviate from his
conception.
But, after all, who 10 1t that says |:
"There is a divinity that shapes our
eends, rCughhew them as We may 7"