Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-07-18
WHO WAS He?


For two weeks we had been pla yng
to crowded houses. The fame of our
particular star had preceded us to the
Pacific coast and the welcome we re-
ceived was very enthusiastic, melting
the company to greater eXertiops and
deeper interest in the noble profes-
sion they had chosen.
.For heavens sake. Graham, don't
sell another ticketl' wassthe message
sent up one night to the manager.
Every seat is filed. and there is no
standing room
was about to close the Office when
voice from the crowd attracted my
was making his way toward me. His
face was strikingly intelligent, but
there was a look of sorrow and care
that was quite affecting His clothes,
once fashionably cut and of good ma
terial, were now patched and thread
bare, while his hat, all dusty and
jammed, I never saw equaled AS he
pushed his way through the crowd,
needless of the angry words and looks
that greeted him on every side, no
ticed that one sleeve hung empty at
his side. The way he used the whole
arm, however, convinced me that it
was abundantly able to do duty for
both.
IL beg n favor Of YOU said he. "I
want to enter the theater for Just n mo-
ment. I care nothing for the play, but
l must see Miss Una Howard"
81 am sorry. hut Miss Howard can
not give you audience until tomorrow.
"No, sir. do not wish to speak TO
her. I only want to see her--to look
at her"
"And even that ! cannot grant Here
are scores of people all about you
whom I have refused within the last
ten minutes. / cannot issue another
ticket tonight. Come tomorrow even
ing"
He looked around him and then lean
ed toward me as If to speak, but seem
Ing to suddenly change his mind. he
turned abruptly away and was soon
lost to sight.
The following evening his pale, care
worn face was the first that met me
when threw up the sash,
Cant I go In now?' he asked eager
ly.
"You are entitled to the first ticket,
sir One dollar"
II have no money" he replied, in a
whisper, but | must see Una. Will
you give me a,tlcket?'
I rnt,Il ,r lo
pany forbade, and, giving a firm yet
kind negative, turned my attention
to the eager crowd and soon forgot
him.
When at last | had a moments res
pite, l met his deep, black eyes once
more.
II must see Una" said he, Cannot
you for once depart from your custom?
| am poor, as you may see" and he
pointed almost contemptuously at his
apparel. IL have walked 800 miles to
see her, and must"
He waited for my answer, but
could only disnppoint him. There We're
at least n. score of persons who asked
me the same and now stood waiting
for my answer to him.
81 cannot blame you" said he sor-
rowfully, "hut must see Una. viii
you be so kind as to wait ne-half
hour?"
l cheerfully promised, and think IL
l had waited but n moment longer |
should have given him a ticket, re-
gardless of the displeasure of former
applicants.
Ec returned sooner than he promis-
ed. All breathless with haste his hat
gone and the empty sleeve torn away,
he pushed his way TO the delivery.
Without word he threw half eagle
upon the board and, snatchlng n ticket.
was off before could pass him the
change. Wondering what this strange
man could know or want of the peer
less Una Howard, | closed the office
This woo ,ha han',ost ,
.,a r.ha,a ot NJ. "ou' ~ 1e y.
thou, sp, - ''s"' sat
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orout en n.N ~ w sno"e,s ~ Ia 90,
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