The times., 1897-09-19
CRITICISM.


gloved hands folded demurely in her lap,
waiting for the curtain TO rise. When
the orchestra struck up she gave a small
jump hat remained otherwise unmOved.
little later, when the rich and great of
the land began to file into the boxes, she
gave another small jump, for as this was
not only Il great play, but the society
event of the week, there were many ladies
in the boxes, sumo of them in fun dress.
The dear old lady W as not sure whether
this was quite proper or not She did
not know that the people We're the kind
OF people her son would like her TO asso-
clate with.
Her son, who was the dramatic editor
OF the Evening Moon. wished to get the
effect which THE Little Minister would
produce on perfectly fresh and uutHt9reJ
mind and had, therefore, prevailed upon
her TO 90 and report ii for him. He for
got, however, that in case any or the
rich ana great We're there, if his mother
were TO lie depend ell on to mention them,
his paper would get scooped on that piece
OF news inevitably. And it did.
The curtain went up. The dear old
lady watched eagerly for the appearance
or the pretty girl who was to be the star
or the piece. Her face had been So sweet
and refined, in the pictures, that the
dear old lady was sure She was very
nice girl. Imagine the surprise, then
which carved disappearing wrinkles in
the face OF the Moons new reporter, when
this nice and pretty girl appeared as q
gypsy
The Scotch dialect was bad enough
The dear old lady had hot been able to
comprC bend more than third or it. AMI
had grown uneasy, moment by Moment,
for fear g was not proper. But the star,
although people all around Were saying
how bright and fascinating and altogether
Iovable ii little gypsy she was-the star
was not according To the dear old lady's
ideas OF prUpriety. She considered her
a hoyden and hussy. The proper thing
for young lady TO do was to wear long
silk ard satin gowns and trail up and down
in the palor, not to climb over rocks,
defy solGiers, and skip around through
the woods by herself. Nc matter if the
play was written that way, the play
ought TO be changed. 1t was not proper.
that it was rot, and the dear old lady,
af,er witnessing two acts, Indignantly
got Up and left the etheater.
At the door she met a wicked but
kind-heartcd young mah, a friend of her
sons who had Just dropped in on his way
down the Avenue. He was going to re
port "A melodraIha at one of the 25-cent
theaters, one Of the kind which deals
largely of real tanks, real water, real
whisky, real electric lights, real locomO-
tives and real steam whistles, " warranted to
make deaf ia five minutes. To him she
detailed her woes, and declared that she was
Eot going to stay in that theater another
minute, and she never did think much of
plays going anyway.
oh" said the young man. soOthingly,
''all theaters are not bad"
II don't know what I'm going to do all
the rest Of the evening" said the dear old
lady, forlornly.
I'll take you to see another play il
you Ike" said the young man, with a
sudden inspiration. And the two walked
quickly down to the other theater to see
the real cars go, and the real bank do busi
ness, and the real steam whistles toot, and
the real electricity electrocute. The wicked
young man escorted the dear old lady To u
seat in the best part of the house, and
she became absorbed in the play
1t was a scene describing Christmas in
a mining camp. Tie IN en- had dubbed to
gether and bought huge pair OF red
stockings, which they filled with prs
ents for the supposed child of the camp,
gay little soubrette who sat on tabIes
and hoped about with joyous and un-
confined hiarity. The dear old Iady's face
shone with satisfaction.
Now, this is what call good, moral
play" the reporter heard her murrrur with
satisfaction Il shall certainly tell Frank
to recommend it to everybody. Look at
that little creetur, so pleased with her
presents. And, as l live, if she amt got
q present for themi"
Nov, boys" said the little soubrette
on the stage 81 didn't have money enough
to get present for each of you, SO I've
got this FUR ye ALL" And with gravity
she unWrapped and laid oil the ia hle be-
fore the expectant eyes of the men "A
Bible. They Immediately took off shair
hats and fled by solemnly. The dear old
lady beamed.
"Realistic- for the Cripple Creek Miners
said the young reporter, softly, making
vicious dabs with his pencil.
II don't mind seeing a little gal skip