The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-05-05
LUCKY COMEDIAN.


crowd, without opportunity OF push
ing TO the front; chronically "hlrd
up" and, as he used 10 say himself,
'only able TO make 10th ends meet
by living on vegetables"
But sti the tide did turn at last,
apd, being taken at the flood, bore
little Tommy Samms triumphantly
along 10 fortune. And this was the
very unorthodox manner In which IL
all took place.
He was leaving the theater one
evening after getting through the
very lean" part that had been alot-
ted to him, and enveloped IN the great
overcoat that he had had ever since
he Joined the profession, was hurry
ing along. leaving trail OF tobacco
smoke behind him, thinking OF what
he should buy for his supper, when.
as he turned down a long, quiet
street, he suddenly hea:d a quick,
light footstep behind him. and pulled
up sharp as little, pantiug voice
called:
'Mr Samms."
"Halloa." answered Tommy. fac
ing round, to lind himself confront
lug quite OF small, short-frocked.
long-haired girl. who, all out Of
breath with her running. peered
anXiously up into his face as IL to
make sure she was addressing the
light person.
''Oh y, you are Mr.. Samms
Tas afraid you might be somebody
else"
Yes; that's my name" said
Tommy, wondering whatever the
child could want with him. "And
what can / do for you?"
"Iou can do lot for me, Mr..
Samms But will you do il IL l tell
you what IL is?"
well, what is it," insisted Samms
more puzzled than ever, as by the
light Of lamp that flickered in the
wind he saw that she was remarka-
bly, well-dIeSsed child, wore gloves on
her hands, and stylish hat that
probably cost more than he took at
the weekly Urea -ury." "What is it
now. my dear?" he repeated
For second his strange little Pc
titioner was silent, looking mutely
up at him as II reasoning whether
she should contide in him before OBJ
tanning his promise. Then she said:
"Well, il you won't promise. l
guess I'll have TO tell you first I've
run away from school, and want you
TO teach me to be an actress"
"Great Sheridan" exclaimed
Samms, taking step back in sur
prise. you've what?'
"Yes; I've run away from school,
and lm going TO get you TO teach me
TO act. My pa has got lots Of money;
we're really ri h, and I'm sick OF
being at school, and I've seen YOU act
ever 50 beautifully, and when YOU
said TO the little girl in the play:
Never mind, little girl, you shall
never never want while Jim >tippley
has got crust TO share with YOU 1
knew you were good aud kind, and l
Just came away 10 ask you TO help
me-"
Tommy Samms listened with evil
dent amusement TO this eulOgy OF his
virtues and then, assuming an heir
OF severity, said;
land do you know what i ought
to do now you have come? Why l
ought TO go TO the nearest police sta
tion and get them TO lock you up till
your parents claim you"
The little girl actually laughed at
this awful threat
"And do you know what l should
do now IL thought you would? /
should Just run away as fast as /
could, and you couldn't catch me
with that thing on"
That thing! His celebrated winter
oyercoat.
Much perplexed as to what was the
best TO be done with this erratic
child until he could succeed in dis
covering her parents, Samms re-
mained silent minute, drawing
steadily at his pipe. He hadn't the
heart TO carry out his threat and
hand her over TO the police, and it
really seemed as if the only thing TO
be done was TO take .er home with
him.
What arc you going to do, Mr..
Samms:" she asked. throwing, with
refreshing simplicity. all the onus Of
the situation upon him.
TELL me your name"
"My name? Mabel"
mabel what"
mabel Mountstuart."
"Where do you live?"
Cant tell you. Oh, Mr. Samms,
don't be unkind and ask me lot OF
horrid questions. havn't done any,
thing very wrong. You might be
nice 10 me like you were TO the little
girl in the play. Look here, too, it's
coming on 10 rain. What are you go
ing to do"
Take you home with me-" an
swcred Samms. his mind made up,
ar1 determined, at any cost TO live
up TO mis- stage reputation. Come
along, get under my coat, and the
rain won't hurt you"
OF they vent she nestled BY his
side protected by the ample folds VI