Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-01-26
I'm a Private BOX.

hrst met the man in large Lon
don cafe; indeed, up to the time OF the
occurrence l am about to relate | had
never been in his company elsewhere.
He used TO play chess there, and so
aid L, and our acquaintance had been
confined to chats across the checkered
BOARD. | was an enthusiast at the
game, while he, though a much
stronger player, seemed to use chess
as solace for some trouble, or 10 di-
vert his mind from unpleasant
thoughts. OF this | was convinced.
Many months passed before l even
knew his name, which at last discov-
cred to De Francesca Astarita. He was
a decidedly good looking Italian,
about 80 years of age, but his features
already bore lines of care or affiiction,
| could never tell which. / always
found him very variable in manner.
Sometimes he would be almost affable,
at others silent and morose, but there
was always a dash of melancholy in
his conversation.
We met only at night, and gathered
that he had some mercantile appoint
ment in the city. He spoke almost
perfect English.
Twill you have a gamer" | said one
evening, as l took seat opposite to
him at one of the handicapped
alton in the Ruy Lopez again"
"No, thank you" he replied gruffly.
81 am just going"
you are not feeling unwell.
hope?"
He certainly looked very pale and
care worn, but he gave no answer. 4
-sickly smile, half sneer, stole over his
face.
A few minutes later he rose, put on
his hat, and with a curt Good night"
strobe toward the door. Then he sud-
denly stopped, came back and said:
81 am going to the Jollity. Do you
care to come? I have taken private
box-quite alone"
Music halls, even when called the
aters or varieties, were not much 70
my taste, but l was disappointed of
my chess, for there was no other per-
son present with whom cared to play,
and, at any rate, I could come away
from the Jollity when l was tired.
So | accepted his invitation, and we
strolled along the street together He
was unusually silent, and as | failed
in several attempts to get him into
conversation, at length fell back on
my own thoughts.
What could induce a man of his
temperament to go to a music hall
especially in such a particularly un-
,,ociabqe mood? Could 1t be possible
that the entertainment would take his
mind off his troubles? That he had
troubles, and serious ones, / could
not for moment doubt But what
most astonished me was to find him
Indulging in the luxury OF a private
box. for was sure that he was a man
of slender means. The ticket might
have been given to him. but he had
distinctly said that he had taken 1t,
which meant "hired it."
The bright and brilliantly decorated
house was already crowded in many
parts when we took our seats and the
entertainment had begun. A girl IN
an fdeaNzed made attire was singing a
song with a rollicking chorus. and
youths we're grinning with enjoyment
at the same old jokes that their fathers
and grandfathers had relished in days
gone by.
Astarita looked horribly bored. He
sat at the back of the box in silence
Suddenly he pulled his chair nearer to
mine and became communicative
You can't understand me" he said
"You think l am not happy Well,
am not And do you suppose this pro-
gram is likely TO cheer me? Come
back out of that noise. | will tell you
story-a true story-a page out oil
my own life
The audience was applauding, and
moved my chair into the interior Of
the box.
my father was an Italian
$50 | should Judge from your name,
/ interrupted.
Eyes; but he died when / was very
Young. and my mother was English
NV home was at Naples. When | was
a lad l went into the Office of large
frm of fruit agents there. / stucl
hard at my work for some years, and
I was doing very we'll. Then me
the only woman-and the only woman
I believed to be worthy of my devo
ton. All, those we're happy daysl"
Astarita paused in his story, anC
seemed to be dwelling on memories o
= the past.
what was / saying?" he suddenls
kbegan again. "Ah, yes. l remember
Angela knew OF my love and returne
There was not shadow on on
th, until an English scoundrel, callei
rbert Ross appeared on the scene.
fer knew what brought him Z
hes. but he came. and while there
q evil hour, met her-my Eee