The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-27
Stories of an Inland State.

StoneS OF an Inland Stdre.
McGraw, the Irishman, loafed about town
during the day and sat up at nights al
Mrs. Tilford's. beside the feverish man mu.
sic teacher, dosing him with medicines
which Mrs. Tilford had paid for. Burr was
improving. He was eating little and hi:
eye where Professor Castillo Rego had
struck him was mending some. He would
soon be well, the doctor had said, with
proper care, as he put his fever thermom-
eter in its little case
This day McGraw was sitting on a bag
gage truck on the depot platform. The
train came In and group of passengers
stepped off. McGraw studied these new
corners idly.
First there was very bulky gentleman
with a huge valse, who stepped off, yawn-
ed, stretched his arms and brushed his
shoes off with his handkerchief. Next came
a black curly-haired man of middle age,
with an exceedingly sour face, who light
ed a cigar, leaned against the depot and
closed his eyes. Then came a young wo-
man with very red eyes, clad her full
length in a gossamer. She watched the
others all come down the car-steps. There
were quite a number of them and they
were all sleepy. McGraw noted that.
The curly-haired gentleman now accost-
ed the bulky gentleman with: Shall we
walk?''
Walk shouted the bulky gentleman.
Walk. Well, guess,''
The rest of the group, making up the
theatrical troup. laughed.
Here, my man." said the bulky gentle
man, addressing McGraw, Give US lift,
won't your indicating the valise.
McGraw sided over to the yalise and
took hold.
rs it far to the hotel?" he asked.
Couple of blocks answered McGraw.
"Come ahead" said the bulky man. The
company slomped behind him and Nc
Graw.
They had all disappeared in their respect
i've rooms in the hotel presently, except
the bulky man and the curly-haired one.
McGraw still fingered for his fee
Williams said the curlyhaired man,
81 want 10 stop right here"
I'm willing, Grow" said Williams.
But my back salary?"
81 haven't got it,
Couldn't you skimp the others some and
let me go?''
"No"
Il want out OF this"
''Why can't you play the piano?"
Because never learned. That's fool
question:
Grow, let me tell you-you are a fool,
damned fool"
That's right. Call me names. Better
pay me what you owe me-"
Eyes. And you better play a better
Romeo and call out better houses"
"Oh, Ratsr'
BE sensible Grow" said the manager,
Williams. Suppose 1 let you go. There is
only one man 10 take your place as Romeo.
That's Grimes at the piano. If Grimes goes
to studying the part of Romeo he won't
have time to whack the music box for Pin
afore and Olivette,''
81 understand all that. You've told me
fifty times already.
What did you fall in love with the girl
for, anyway, Grow?'
81 didn't
'Oh, yes, you did. And wanted to
marry her. Your love TO Juliet was fine
then. She refused you and since then /
never saw such botch as that balcony
scene in my born days.
What wonder. She kisses me like
clam and glares at me throughout the
whole thing. 1 can't play it again with
her, the vixen"
Don't call names. We've advertised Ro-
meo for this town tonight. If it wasn't for
that I'd let you go and let Grimes, the mu-
sic box whacker, play in Olivette. He
knows that"
But whod play the piano?'
eyes, who? 1 hadn't thought of that.
Wen play Romeo"
McGraw took note OF all this, and when
Grow was gone, said:
Mr.. Williams. I've got a man to play
the piano for you. 2"
Your"
eyes. He can play from a to lizard"
whats his name?'
"Algernon Burr"
Musical name. III write II down. Let's
see, you carried my baggage. Oh, yes
Here's a couple of tickets to the show to-
night
Make it three"
Expensive baggage. But all right. Here
you are"
McGraw departed. Miss Agnes Andrews
spoke TO the manager a minute.
"Mr. Williams" she said, II believe
ought TO leave this company. That man
Grow is positively brutal to me. In Romeo
ne tries to spoil my part and embarrass
ne every minute. l feel 1 am hindrance.
might better 60"
Agnes said the manager, kindly. you
shall not go. Let him go. He is a brute.
You shall stay right where you are. You
needn't fear for that"
Poor girl" said the manager to him
.elf as he watched her depart. That man
Grow tried to get the better OF her and
the wouldn't have 1t. Now he is trying
% make her life miserable. l was a fool
or engaging him. 1 hope he will go, the
sooner the better"
The elite of the town began crowding into
he theater by half past seven o'clock. The
gallery above was full OF the youngsters
# the city who kept up tremendous clap
ling and cheering without any visible pro-
Iocation. Back OF the hideous drop cur
ain, covered with local advertisements,
TODD Agnes Andrews clad as the fair Cap
llet, and beside her Romeo.
Miss Andrews said Grow. harshly,
Try 10 get that sinister curl off your lips
onight, for heavens sake. Forget for
nee that you are Agnes. Try 10 be |
uliet''
Agnes felt the insult Leave me alone"
he said. Don't speak TO me, 1 say" |
he almost screamed as he opened his |
ps.
Three rings and the curtain rolled UP !
lowly. A cold draft of air swept of the |
tage into the auditorium, setting the aud |
ence to coughing.
The play had progressed TO the balcony |
Gene. The audience gave il rapt atten- |
ion.
Suddenly, in the midst OF his lines. Ro- |
neo stopped, turned TO the audience, threw |
is feathered cap upon the floor. gave il |
kick that sent il flying into the wings, |
nd yelled:
Bah. I can't act with a cat,''
juliet shrank back and covered her face /