Evening journal., 1898-12-28
Doing One Night Stands
'Geeeeeoeeeeeeeeeeeseeee

at Asst actl" the call boy shouts
as he comes bounding up the
stairs three steps at time. Last ACT!
he Wells on every landing, until at last
he boots at the chorus girls, who,
huddled together IN ten-foot room,
come out Of their pen and follow him.
as though he was bell sheep, down TIE
winding stairs. I
The prima donna gives daub OF paint
TO her cheek, and brush Of the hnres
foot, before throwing herself on the
couch. There is no need for her TO
hurry; who ever heard of prima donna
being discovered when the curtain goes
up, asks the Chicago Tribune.
Then the comedian. with big and
painted face, passes slowly along the
landing, and with eyes riveted on lhe
stone steps goes down the winding
stairs. As he turns the last corner
hand is laid on his shoulder, and he
looks up into the pretty face of a girl
in gauze.
as your child better to-pight@ she
asks, as she draws pink wrapper more
closely about her shapely form. rs
there anything ] can do?'
81 am afraid there is nothing" the
comedian answers, his voice low and
sad. "Aiy little girl has stood the ia
tigue of travel bravely, but now she is
very, very sick. and am afraid shall
have to leave her here"
"surely not alone?" the dancer asks.
putting out her hand, which he uncon-
! sciously takes in his. surely you will
not leave her alone?"
If 1 remain" he answers, and his
voice trembles as he speaks Il can only
comfort her by my presence; i cannot
! pay for a doctor then. nor can she have
the little luxuries she Graves"
The dancer draws her hand from his
and draws from the bodice of her dress
a purse.
'Take this" she says, as she holds u
out to him. at is not much, but ii VIII
\ help"
He turns away and leans his head
against the iron railing.
"Coals Of frel" he mutters Goals
which shall always burnl"
The dancer comes down a few steps TO
where he stands.
Il want to go home with you to-
night" she whispers. 81 want 10 nurse
your little girl"
He turns and takes her hands in his.
"You must not, Blanche. You muzt
not ask it. Think what the others wonld
say"
Il care not what they sayl" she cries,
throwing her arms around his neck. II
once had the right 10 60 with you. !
had the right until another took my
place"
Then the call boy comes running up
the steps, shouting: "Your cue!' So
Z they hurry to the stage below. he in
time to enter with ringing laugh,
; which is taken up by the audience when
he tumbles down the palace steps, only
to bound like a ball to the footlights,
where, with mock bow to the duke, he
sings:
Woman is faithless and man Is true,
How do know? o. I've proved It So"
D And the chorus shouts back;
"How does he know2 Why. he's proved II
] sol
z Yes. he's proved-he's proved-he's proved
: It sol"
And with a whirl and dance he goes
: round and round, singing: Woman is
!. faithless," while he knows that he has
: not proved her so.
Then, heralded by cymbals and beat
Of drum, the little dancer come tripping
|. ! on. and by her winning ways and pretty
! face soon wins the applause of the au-
! dience; and she smiles back at them
until they think that life to her must be
a happy dream. While the comedian
who stands poised on a table, forgets
10 grimace at the people as he watches
q her until she makes her exit.
2 Then he turns with leap and is q
q fool once more.
e When at last the curtain is rung down
he hurries TO the dressing-room, and
e discarding the ugly wig. washes thf
grease paint from his face and stands
no longer a fool. but father whose
only thought is for his child.
As soon as his trunk is packed he goes
downstairs TO find the dancer waiting
: at the stage door.
: ''May go home with you?" she asks
e beseechingly.