Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-01-30
KATIEANDTHETENOR
A BIT OF GIRLIsH ROMANCE WITH AN
UNROMANTiC ENDING.

UNROMANTiC ENDING.
An Impres,ionable Maiden and the Singer
who Had Seen Much Of the world-she
Got the Autograph, but After 1t Was
All over Felt Very Foolish.
l have heard this about a romantic
young girl who became infatuated with
certain famous tenor last winter:
She saw him in fayorite role, and
his dashing appearance and superb sing
ing made such an impression upon her
that she became "opera mad, - as she
told her friends, but tenor mad would
be nearer the mark.
All her pin money she saved and
turned into seats for the different per-
formances.
She bought every photograph Of her
favorite that she could find and grew
wildly jealous Of the sopranos and con
traltos who sang the opposite roles to
him
Of course she couldn't go on like this
without having confidant 50 she se-
lected a school friend and told her all
There wasn't much "all'' to it, but
the friend thought it was delightfully."-
romantic
Has he ever noticed you, Katies"
No, " replied Katie, III don't think
that he has. There was one time that /
thought he was looking at me over the
footlights, and, oh, Laura, became SO
faint that I was afraid I'd fall off my
seat. But think he was looking at the
conductor
Yes, they look at the conductor a
good deal, dear. wonder why:"
oh, | suppose they're fond Of him. "
Well, they went to three more per
formances, and by this time Katie was
a case Of ''clean gone. .
Laura, dear, if ! could Just take his
hand and look into bis eyes and ask
him for his autograph, think I'D be
willing to die right there y
Il don't see any harm in that "
In my dying?"
No, goosiel III your just shaking
hands with him and asking him for his
autograph. You take his best photo
graph, and I'll get fountain pen, and
We'll 60, after the matinee tomorrow. "
''To the theater?'
"Why, yes You couldn't % to his
hotel "
So this plan was agreed on, and
nice furry poor Katie was in.
She went and heard the opera the
next day III kind Of dream and when
it was over rose il a white heat Of ex-
citement
we must give him time to dress"
said the practical Laura. 50 We'll 60
and have cup Of chocolate "
They dawdled over this refreshment
for 20 minutes, and then started for the
stage door. A stout. coarse man barred
their passage here, and asked:
We'll, young ladies, what can I do
for you:"
Katie was simply speechless, 50 Laura
spoke up.
We wish to Zee 5Ir. -
He won t see you. He's gone to his
dinner, anyway. But he's got no time
to see anybody unless you have an ap-
pointment with him. \
Then Laura the brazen told 4 whop-
per.
"We have, " she said, pining. ''I don't
know how we missed him. y
"Well, he's dining at the H
House, " said the doorkeeper. 'tHe said
some people might call for him. You
can go there and send in your card.
So this they decided to do, and to the
hotel they went.
They sat all a-tremble in the gayly
decorated reception room after they had
launched their cards, and presently they
heard a manly tread
Nearer, nearer, nearer.
Katie seized Laura BY the hand and
shook with emotion
Then a tail form appeared in the door
way, and the tenor stood before them.
a little Older looking. not 50 romantic
in appearance, and holding napkin in
his hand instead Of a truncheon OF a
sword-buJ still the tenor.
He advanced couTteously and bowed
as he looked at them and at their cards
II do not think | have the pleas
ure'- be began.
Then Laura burst in with what they
wanted. He frowned little and then
smiled wearily
1T am AZ dinner, he said, tand
have friends dining with me, but l will
do what you desire.
So they produced the pictures. There
were four nstead Of one, and he signed
them in hold hand.
"Will you pardon me?' he queried.
But am pressed for time. I am glad
to have met you. Il
Then be turned to %, and Katie
found her voice
"Will you-will you-l-let me shake
hands with you?" she stammered.
He smiled.
Certainly be said, and he gave
her . strong hand clasp
The poor, silly child bent forward,
kissed his hand and half fell upon her
knees.
He raised hal instantly and said:
~ thank you for this tribute to the
artist. 1t is not for the man. My dear
young lady, I am 56 years old, and l
have seen too much Of the world to en-
courage the impulses Of young girls like
you, who are often not in their right
minds regarding stage people Goodby
and good luck to you.
So away he went, and the two devo-
tees trailed out into the cleaning, feel
ing little ashamed Of themselves and
wondering whether operatic and thea
trical people hadn't found brave Ponce
de Leon = fountain Of perpetual youth.
Polly Pry il New York Recorder.
She Has Felt Good Ever Since.
''Do yor think l stand too much be
fore the looking glass?" she asked as a