The age-herald., 1898-09-07
THE GIRL
 OF THE MATINEE

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 "No," said Babs, after three minutes se- rious reflection.
 Because he couldn't take it with him. | flashed Sis, triumphantly. 'Timpany told me that
 | It was the short-skirt party at the mati- nee. No, not a burlesque, but three kid | dies" taking advantage of the last week 1 of vacation three little kiddies who rocked not of heat and atmospheric disturbances. I but were happy and elated in spite of the weather, as only kiddies can be, heaven | bless 'eml I never so much want to be a child again as when I go to the theater. remembering the joy it was to contemplate | the gliding of the house, believing it pure | gold and bliss of stroking with reverent fingers the solled plush upholstery under the impression that it was real silk velvet fresh from the looms. In the early days l the leading lady is real princess from fairyand; the funny man is creature to excite the widest laughter; all the old | jokes are perfectly new the orchestra plays music straight out of paradise, and the boy who sells candy between the acts is young Ganymede of gracious mien. Every thing is wonderful perfect, and the chil- i dren do not know-oh, happy ignorance 1 that the glamour is from within themselves any more than the bride and groom under stand why the honeymoon tour always holds such exquisite scenery and perfect weather and the trips they take together afterwards are tame ard dull and tiresome by comparison.
 So I find the short-skirt party always ba Tim pany and Sis and Babs are well-bred young | sters and invariably manage to say ap- preciative and approving things in prim, pretty fashion, quaint and unmodern as the curtesy the minuet. "They always play before-before-before the ceremony!" explains Babs who has hunted vainly for word to suit, and then chosen the most dignified one she can find to fit the occasion. Babs is very httle but also very sweet, and no one shall say that she fails in courtesy.
 Sis suddenly arouses to apprehension. '"rimpany went out on an errand, and how will the Man know him when he comes back!'
 Gentle Babs hastens to reassure: Tim pany was here once before last Christmas, and of course the Man will member him, she says.
 She remains doubtful. "Ye-yes, but p'raps thev wern't introduced. People don't al- ways like to remember other people thae way"
 ..Iel. he'll have a little sip to show, savs Babs. who has seen tickets, though she has never been introduced to them by name. ,,,- pears.
 s.I shouldn't like to be an actor he an- nounces with the solemnly decisive air or one who has sat up all night considering the pros and cons of the profession.
 ."Why?'
 "Oh it must be so hot back there" he says with a nod toward the mysterious shut-off region of the stage
 Tho orchestra music ceases for mo- ment then commences again, softer loud- CT; the lower end Of the curtafh oesins 'o twitch nervously
 "O-h-h, The screen is going up!' chorus the short-skirt party. The curtain is right up Two ladies of pronounced type oc- cupy the stage, their voices echoing III tne unreal way of all actors voices seem 10 fer the first few minutes un1h listening ears have quite adjusted them to the reia- five distance. The big matinee house IS Iolling back and flaming itself, but the sbort-skirt party has flung it's collection Of hats on the floor and is leaning forward as one child rapt, intense, almost oreathiess,
  annointing things in the world An me! there is nothing wonderful or so beau- tiful in all the world as youth!
 "Where's Smith?' whispers Babs
 "There. leading the van." returns Tim nany who possesses a vocabulary calcu- lated to make his elders squirm.
 .What van? Where is it? I don't see anything the least like a wagon,' says lib- eral Sis.
 A giggle is prevented by indicating Smith Babs is visibly depresseo. put he's just married, and oh-I thought gentle men who just got marrieo "eio So"ie and, oh-not fat! ,..,. q,
 The incident of the cake is diverting. made A cake once" confides Sis NO, It was biscuits. They felt like bricks ana tasted like ashes. Timpany 'n,ew o,' tnnn t,,a ont into the yard, where one strucK the cat so she went lame for days, and mamma heard the noise and called to Know Who was throwing stones!
 "Are they twins?" whispered Babs when tho two "daisies' are on in the fancy dress scene. - ,.,
 "Au three of them aren' says Sis with commendable desire to set things right.
 arhreei How many twins are three gen. erally?" scoffs Timpany.
 'I know" says Sis, her round face grow inc very pink "I quite know there are usnoIlv two. but what mean was that there were two twin sisters the same age and then their own sister twins, perhaps month or two younger. I'm sure there looks that much dfference!
 There was just one note of disappropa- tion at the end.
 sWhy did the lady in red-white-and-piue want so to show her petticoats? I thought she was going to dancer" said Sis In an ag- grieved tone.
 .sShe did dance little just at first before she began shaking her skirts at us," re- minded Babs sweetly desirous of being pleased
 "Wasnt there any other way she could show the people how her petticoats looked all the little bits of ones?" persisted Sis, bravely holding her own.
 "She might have tried a clothes-line," said the escorting elder. "It would have been quite as effective and much more pleasing!'
 "A clothes-line?" reflected Timpany; "why yes, in high wind!'
 In these days when one hears so much or moths and flames it is pleasant to catch 11I n q