The Press., 1896-05-14
NATIEANDTHETENOR
A BIT OF GiRLISH ROMANCE WITH AN
 UNROMANTIC ENDING.

An ImpressiOnable Maiden and the Singer Who Had Seen Much of tn WOrld-she Got the Autograph, but After It Was All Over Felt Very Foolish.
 I have heard this about a romantic young girl who became infatuated with B certain famous tenor last winter:
 She saw him in a favorite 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 a confidant so she se- lected a school friend and told her all There wasn't much "all'' to it, but the friend thcuglt it was delightfully."- romantic.
 "Has he ever noticed you, Katie?"
 "No," replicl Katie, ''I Gcn't think that he has. There was one time that I thought he was looking at mo 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. y
 "Yes, they lock at the condQctor a good deal. dear. I wonder whyR'
 "Oh, suppose they're fond of him. " We'll, they went 10 three more per formances, and by this time Katie was case of "clean gone."
 "Laura, dear, if could just take his hand and look into his eyes and ask him for his autograph, think I'd be willing to die right there!'
 "I don t see any harm in that"
 "In my dying?"
 "No, goosie! In 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 go, after the matinee tomorrow. " "To the theater?" l hotel"
 So this plan was agreed on, and 8 n;ce furry poor Katie was in.
 She went and heard the opera the next day in kind of dream, and when it was over rose i'll q white heat of ex- citement.
 "We must give him time to dress" |" said the practical Laura. ''So we'll go and have cup of chocolate. "
 They dawdled over this refreshment for 90 minutes, and then started for the stage door. A stout, coarse man barred their passage here, and asked:
 "Well, young ladies, what can I do for you?'
 Katie was simply speeches., so Laura spoke up.
 I've wish to see MT. -"
 "He won t see you. He's gone to his dinner, anyway. But he's got no time to see anybody unless you havo an ap- pointment with him..
 Then Laura the brazen told whop- per.
 I've have, she said, pining. "I don t know how we missed him..
 "Well, he's dining at the H. House." said the doorkeeper. "He said some people might call for him. You can go there and send ill 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 manly tread.
 Nearer, nearer, nearer.
 Katie seized Laura by the hand and shook with emotion.
 Then tall form appeared i'll the door way, and the tenor stood before them.
 A little older looking. not so romantic in appearance, and holding napkin in his hand instead of a trQncheon or a sword-but still the tenor.
 He advanced courteously and bowed as he looked at them and at their cards.
 "I do not think I have the pleas ure'- he began.
 Then Laura burst in with what they wanted. He drowned little and then smiled wearily.
 ''I am at dinner," he said, land l have friends dining with me, but I will do what you desire.
 So they produced the pictures. There were four instead of one, and he signed them in bold hand.
 Twill you pardon me?" he queried. "But l am pressed for time. am glad to have met you.
 Then he turned to go, and Katie found her voice.
 "Will you-wil you-1-let me shake hands with you?" she stammered.
 He smiled.
 Certainly" he said, and he gave her strong hand clasp.
 The poor, silly child bent forward, kissed his hand and half fell upon hel knees.
 He raised hel instantly and said:
 ''I thank you for this tribute to the artist. It is not for the man. My deal young lady, I am 56 years old, and 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 gloaming, feel ing little ashamed of themselves anC wondering whether operatic and thea trical people hadn't found brave Ponct de Leon s fountain of perpetual youth Polly Pry in New York Recorder.
 Wood Bending.
 In an account of the wood bending in dustry writer in The Woodworker re marks that comparatively few person outside the carriage and boat building interests are aware of its extent, ant but few realize that the carriages the,