The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-17
Dicky and the Great Man.

1t was a great day. and Dicky.. Teddy
and Mary Esther went with their
mother to a great building to hear a
great man speak.
There was a great crowd also, and in
some way Dicky got separated from the
rest of them. The crowd was press
ing into the hall from the vestibule,
when Dicky's mother found that he
was nowhere to be seen.
Children" said their mother then to
the other two. take these tickets and
go in. I know just where the seats
are. They are well up in front; the
usher will seat you, and I will stay
right here, for that is the best way if
any one is lost. Dicky will probably
come by here in a little while and then
he and 1 will join YOU
But maybe you won't see the great
man." said Mary Esther.
II would rather see Dicky boy than
any one just now" said their mother,
shutting hereiips together tight.
So the children went to their seats,
which the sbusy usher showed them, and
their mother leaned up against pillar
in the vestibule and searched the pass
ing crowd with anxious eyes.
Dicky meantime was very much sur
prised when he felt himself lifted up
and whirled around until when he could
get his breath he found his mother was
nowhere to be seen.
There was a door in front of him
marked Private" but Dtcky couldn't
read anything but cat, dog and a few
words like that, so it did not make any
difference what it was marked. II
= hi n s11y III
my family is gone in here" So he
walked in.
There were a number of men in uni
form standing around, and Dicky felt
with a little catch of his breath that
| this must be the great mans room. He
was going to slip out again, when one
Of the men called out, gayly: well,
what does this gentleman want?"
Dicky pulled off his cap and going up
to the taHest man in the gayest uni
form, said in a voice not quite steady:
II hope you'll 'scuse me. but my family
is lost and came hunting EN- in here.
Are you the great MANI" he asked
The man in the gay uniform laughed,
but before he could answer small,
plainly dressed man walked forward
from the window, where he had been
| looking out, and said. ut is time to be
going in. Why, what is this?" he
asked. looking at Dicky.
Dfcky toldl his little story again. The
eyes looking into his were very kind
and Dicky felt glad that there was one
| real everyday man there and that
they We're not all great men.
Come with me-" said his new friend.
So, with the others going in front, they
went out onto a great stage where
flowers flags and lights made brave
showing.
| When Dicky and his friend appeared
the people burst out in such wild ap-
plause that the great chandelier fairly
shook.
Are you glad cause I am found?"
thought Dicky wonderingly. Then his
friend stopped and took him in his arms
and stretched out his hand, so the peo-
pie grew still again, while he told how
Dicky was lost.
Instantly then Teddy and Mary
Esther stood up, "Oh. Dicky," said
Mary Esther, I'm so glad you're found
cause mother is crying out in the hail.
just went out to see.''
/ So his friend kissed Dicky and one
of the ushers lifted him down and
carried him to his mother.
THE great man found him, mother"
said Teddy, in an awed voice, land he
| kissed him, too
''Oh, no, that wasn't the great man.
said Dicky, lifting his head up from
his mothers shoulder, He was just
folks. but he was nicer than the great
man.
But it was the great man after all
and Dicky boy has hardly recovered
from his surprise yeti. E. Chitten-
| den. in Chicago News