Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-01-10

! nave u Keep tue WluuOW open Wueu
we do have fire."
MY poor little frozen baby" he said
sadly. taking her in his arms. 1--WE will
find lodgings where the smoke does exit
the proper way-after boxing night"
Dad" she said, as she nestled close
up to him in the armchair, "shall we
have Christmas pudding some dayT
"Shall I sing to you, Babsie?' he in
terrupted hastily. And, gently strok-
iy music hall ditty.
Babsie was soon fast asleep. He lifted
her up and placed her on the bed.
Heaven help herw he murmured
sadly, as he gazed upon the sweet white
face. IF had only been a laborer you
would not have gone hungry on Christ
mas Day, my pet. l wonder how many
poor mummers are waiting eagerly for
Boxing night? 1 have looked for work
army Of bogus managers with whom
I've been so closely acquainted Of late
are dining well tonight while she is
starving. I'll spend every penny 1 earn
this pantomime upon her comfort. Oh,
If can only make hit, now my chance
has come! Oh, my Babsie. my brave lit
tie Babsiev'
Daddy, it's the glorious Boxing day
at last!' cried Babsie, dancing round
him in her excitement, as he was pre-
pairing to 60 to the theater.
"Everything wasn't quite smooth at
dress rehearsal" he had explained to
her; 80 I shall be at the theater all
day"
The latter part Of this statement was
aot true; but he saw that there was
barely food for one in the cupboard,
and his pocket was quite empty.
AS he ran down the stairs a little
shoe came Gathering after him, and a
saucy, smiling face peeped over the bal
listers.
That's for luck, dad" she called out.
He noticed the little shoe had a hole
light through the sole, and he sighed.
When he reached the theater he
found only few shivering nobodies
assembled on the stage. They all waited
for about two hours for the stars. who
had never intended to appear, and then
the stage manager dismissed them.
Halliday met his manager as he turned
out of the stage door with the intention
Of strolling about the streets until even
ing.
"Hallor' said that individual, genial
ly. Hope all the plum pudding you had
yesterday won't affect your top notes.
think your song will fetch 'em up
tx, -
Halliday uttered an exclamation, and,
STOPPING down, picked up a quarter.
There, what did tell your laughed
the manager. as he slapped him on the
back and went on his way.
Halliday hugged the little coin in his
palm. 1t meant SO very much. 1t meant
little Christmas for Babsie. and it had
entirely changed his plans for the day.
He hurried homeward with a lighter
heart than he had carried for months,
only stopping at a coster's barrow on
his way to invest some Of his treasure
in rosy-cheeked apples.
He sprang lightly up the stairs to his
home. calling "Babsie"' as he ran. so
anxious was he to see her astonishment
and delight. But no answer came; no
patter of little feet. The dreary room
was empty. He sat down chilled and
uneasy, and the apples rolled unheeded
to the floor.
But one hour-two hours-three
hours passed, and still no Babsie. The
fog was growing denser and denser.
The anxious father paced up and down
the little room. At every football on the
stairs he rushed out and called her
name.
The callboy at the Regal Theater was
calling out Overture and beginners
as he made his way along the passages
when a man rushed past him and disap
peared into one of the dressing-rooms.
1t was Nigel Halliday, white and trem-
bling, and with huge beads Of perspira-
don on his brow.
Hell never be onr' said the perform
ers in chorus. But he was at the side
dressed and made up. fully five minutes
before his first entrance. The otheI
performers were looking at him curl