Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-07-14
WHO WAS HE?

se For TWO weeks we nau been playing
70 --a.1 houses. The fame of our
raa,ac coast ansd preceded US to the
aa,uaa was very enthnsHfAAcome we re-
a.. comnauy to greater exertfeAcltlng
interest in the noble profes-l
sion they had chosen
..Eor heavens sake, Graham, uon
sell another ticketv' was the mesFs
sent up one night to the
"Eyery seat is filled, ana thso
standing ROOM. e,a xxte.
.s.n4 about to- t. e! ssSw tpsaff attracted INV
attention a tall. strange looking max
was making his way toward me- His
face was strikingly intelligent. but
there was n look of sorrow and care
that was quite affecting. His cloth ,s,
once faShionably cut and Of good "a
terial- We're now patched and thread
bare. while his hat. all dusty and
damned. l never saw equaled. AS he
pushed his way through the crowd.
needless Of the angry words and looks
that greeted him on every side, 1 no
ticed that one sleeve hung empty at
his side. The way he used the whole
arm however. convinced me that Ii
was abundantly able to do duty for
both.
Il beg favor of YOU" said he 81
want to enter the theater for just a mo-
ment care nothing for the play, but
| must see Miss Una Howard"
Il am sorry, but Miss Howard can
not give you audience until tomorrow"
mo. sir. l do not wish to speak to
her. l only want TO see her-to look
ut her"
''And even that l cannot grant. Here
are scores of people all about YOU
whom 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 il 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 l 20 in now - he asked eager. ,
~.
You are entitled to the first ticket, |
sir. One dollar"
Il have no money" he replied. In a |
you give me n ticket?'
l could not. The rules of the COM |
pany forbade. and. giving a firm yet |
Kind negative, l turned my attention |
to the eager crowd and soon forgot |
him.
When at last had a moments res
pite. ! met his deep. black eyes once
more.
you for once depart from your custom? |
/ am poor. as you may See." and he |
pointed almost contemptuously at his /
apparel. Il have walked 500 miles to |
see her. and l must
He waited for my answer, but l |
could only disappoint him. There were |
at least a score of persons who asked /
me the same and now stood waiting |
for my answer to him.
Il cannot blame you." said he sor-
rowfully. but l must see Una VIII |
you be SO kind as TO wait one-half /
hour?'
cheerfully promised. and think IL |
/ had waited but moment longer l |
should have given him a ticket. re- |
gardless OF the displeasure OF former |
applicants
He returned sooner than he promis- /
ed All GREATNESS with haste. his hat /
gone and the empty sleeve torn away. |
he pushed his way TO the delivery. |
Without a word he threw a half eagle |
upon the board and. snatching a ticket. |
was of before l could pass him the |
change. Wondering what this strange |
man could know or want of the peer |
less Una Howard. l closed the office |
and entered the theater.
This was the happiest hour to me Of
the whole "a. Might after night / sat
there gazing at Una Howard.
And. with the rest. worshiped her.
but without a single ray Of hope.
When l entered. Una had just come
mon the stage. and the applause that