The Helena independent., 1894-12-24
For The Independent.

For The Independent.
pramatls Personae-IIenry Holt Ga
blind veteran OF the civil war1
Maria Holt Obls wifel.
Molly (thelr daughter, chlld),
A Lady name unknownl,
People in the street
Time-The afternoon OF bleak De-
cember day.
scene-rhe maln shopping thorough
fare OF an American city. a crowd
block the sidewalk In front of large
dry goods store in whose windows gilt
ters a splendid holiday display. A wax
dummy enyeloped in brocade and err
mine confronts another In evening dress
OF white satin and rose chiffon. Gorge
Gus fabrics OF silk and velvet drape the
sides OF the window. These are all akin
An tint; the colors OF the window re-
semble cluster OF roses, shading from
bride to blush and jacueminot In the
rear is seen the Interior OF luXuriously
appointed little room, IL Is labeled. "A
boudoir." and is arranged to advertise
the prevailing fashions In furniture
and upholstery. The room Is furnished
In rose and silver. Its dressing table Is
covered with the elegant conveniences
OF a lady's toilet, costly In value and
dainty in design. Tall candles OF pink
wax burn in silver sconces at the sides
Of the long mirror. The draperles OF
rich lace are carefully looped back
from the glass, to avoid contact with
the Naming candles. The mirror re-
iiects the street
A lady, plainly dressed in black, is
trying To push her way through the
crowd, but is blockaded by the women
who are studying the show window.
She casts quick glance between the
ermine and the chiffon dummies, across
the splendors OF the rose and silver deo-
orations. Her eyes rest upon the mir
ror, and an expression Of trouble crosses
her countenance. In the glass she per-
teiyes the reflection Of two wretched
figures, These are man and wom-
an They stand upon the curbstone
budding together; the woman holds the
mans arm, both are thinly dresses and
are seen-in the mirror-to shiver. The
man is pale and understood; he has a
consumptive look; his hands are cold
and blue; he raises a flute 10 his lips.
then puts 1t down. and tries to warm his
fingers.
The woman has a delicate face: she
holds out a cap, somewhat timidly or
proudly, as II she shrank from the act.
Now and then passer drops a nickel
or a penny into the cap. The woman
removes her other hand from the mans
arm and wraps his fingers In her shawl
to warm them.
The Man-Cold. Maria?
Wife-Not 50 very. Henry.
Husband-Tired girl
Understanding hurts me a little. But
] don't mind.
Husband-It is pretty cold. 1t comes
hard-draggin' you out. II / could
come by myself oh, Lord, IL could
get about alone!
Wife-Now, Henry Dear Henry,
Why you know | don't mind it-much.
] like 10 come along for you. ! think il
does me good to get the air Only the
stormy days-and you amt flt To play
when II storms. yourself You will
have TO give II up this winter. m
thinkin
Husband-Ill take Molly next time.
You're beat out. Maria. Molly-she
can take me in tow like a little lady.
She's the smartest Of the blood, Molly |
Is. ia feel bad IL we shouldn't make |
out a Christmas for 'em. this year
Maria. Somebody may send turkey
but that don't go into little stockins. |
Wife-If get another dress to make |
over we can manage. Don't you feel |
anxious. Henry! That fat customer | |
had wears out dreadfully on her side |
seams. | calculate she'll need another |
cheap wrapper soon.
Husband tmore cheerfully)-Yes
That's one thing about H. You can al |
ways sew when you can get the Job. |
And Molly can tend 10 me- | guess |
we'll manage.
Wlfe-We always have, dear-most
always
Husband-That's so-most always;
but we cant AFFORD 10 talk Time to
talk Is for rich folks. You've warmed
my fingers up nicely In your chawl
girl. I'll go az II again.
The street musician plays:
How can boar 10 leave thee2
one parting Kiss TIT give thee.
And then wdH te'er bcfalls me
I'll go whrtr duty calls me-"
Lady blOckad ~ In front Of the shop
window starts aud stirs.
The musician, reflected in the mirror
plays on:
Farewell. farewell. my own true love.
Farewell-fare-well
Lady turns her back on the show
window and urges her way through
the crowd toward the man and the
woman. In the mirror her figure rJ-
fleets for the moment those Of the
street players. The light ~ the pink
candles is ubscured. The dummy iu
ermine and the dummy In rose chiffon
exchange naughty glances over hor
head
Woman in the crowd-Now. there's
an air about that brocade.
Second W0man-Giye me the chiffon.
It's the fashionable shad,
First Woman-t'll tell my husband he
BhOn't have any peace till he fts me up
room like that yOndCr He's Rpin'
To begin with the silver halrhrush come
Christmas.
Second Woman Cslghins)-But thon
the children clutter and muss so! DO
you think 1t would pay for the bother?
Ia rather have the real gruiue opera
cloak. It's marked $500.
Henry Holt plays:
"in the beauty OF the lilies
Christ was born across the sea
with a glory IN His bosom
That transngures you and me"
n.ady with sighs Of emotion stops In
lcntly observes him)
Henry plays,
"slnce he died 10 make men holy,
Let us die 30 make men free"
Lady 10 hcrselD-l can't stand this,
! suppose the Conglomerlte Anti-Pau-
per mission would disuwu up forever
but | cannot stand II! Emptlcs her
purse ~ It's silver into the musicians
cap) As she does so .ghU withdraw
n silver coin ana snys. npologctlCally'
you see. l am suburhHu, ana ] must
Keep "a car fare TO pa to the station.
I'm late now. It's too bad there is no
more, Oh. liu 80 sorry FOR you."
The lady hurTitH AWAY Maria Holt
looks after hor Wislfully. ns she drttly
turns the oilvDr from the cap Into
lIcnry'a pocket
Her eyes M Horny PLAYS and siugs
Lot uH lie tp make men fror
For God Is marching On.
i1dy Unexpectedly returning