The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-09-27
Fin Interrupted Matinee
From the sunny SOUTH


1t was two o'clock in the afternoon.
On board were several professionals
besides "our tenor" and they were pre-
pairing to give US a free matinee, which
turned out to be unique in more parti-
culars than this one.
The space Immediately in front Of
the pilot house was used for the stage,
and we were ranged along the deck, the
most Of US seated, a few from necessity
standing, and some lolling against the
outer railing, where the wind had
fair, clean sweep at them. And how
cold and strong it blew that August
afternoon and how the ship rocked!
The graceful loIlers shifted their posi-
lions every now and then to save them
selves from going overheard. We but
toned our coats tight and turned the
collars up as high as possible to keep
from freezing, and to my certain know
ledge three Of the party had to leave
between acts for something to warm
them up-just as they do on land.
The curtain rose to the jolliest music
that surely was ever picked from San
old banjo" and little dancer stepped
forth and made a graceful bow. And
so we had found out at last-she was
an actress, and she had broken Cliffs
heart! 1t happened this way: At the
table opposite ours she sat three times
daily, and Cliff, with his eyes upon
her, had seasoned highly each morsel
we took and each subject we discussed
with comments on her beauty. and her
clothes! She wore such fetching lit
tie blouse, with such pretty red cuffs
and big sailor collar and abbreviated
skirts, that she was just the most ire
sistable little bit of bright springtime
maidenhoOd that a man could find on
land or sea when we first saw her. But
one afternoon she came down wearing
the regulation shirt waist and a skirt
so long that it laid full down on the
floor all around. That day we ate our
dinner in peace, for Cliff, after one
deep, reproachful glance, made an ex-
change at table and sat for the balance
of the trip with his eyes turned to the
unchanging sea!
And now she was just a little dane
ing girl, nothing more, and we soon
forget that she had ever been anything
else. Rarely had stage such a dancer
or dancer such stage! She began
with a slow, graceful movement that
grew faster and faster as she went on
and on till it seemed as if she was run
ming a race with the rocking, dipping
stage and the mad and merry music,
and they each in turn with the sway
ing, dancing girl; then all three to-
gether, faster and still faster, till sud
denly the music came to an end, the
stage for an instant stood still, and the
girl, with bow and a smile that show
ed all her pretty teeth, stepped of and
was instantly reconverted into one Of
those small, bright particles that 60 to
make up the sunshine Of themasculine
world.
From comedy to tragedy, stern and
real, we passed with only a breathing
space between. The first solemn notes
were drawn from the mellow strings of
an old violin, and the first words
breathed by a voice so deep and rich
that all things, save the sea, was hush
ed to listen, Rocked IN the Cradle Of
the Deep"
On no other stage can this song
sound, can it be quite the same.
leaned far over the railing and looked
down with a wondering, questioning 1
gaze upon the murmuring waves. What
were they saying? The answer came
In that rich, mellow voice:
and calm and peaceful is my sleep,
Rocked in the cradle Of the deep"
The unspeakable magnetism embOd- |
led in those waves has surely been felt /
by every heart weary, heavy burdened |
Banderer from land Just to drop
overheard, oneSmoment's wild agony, |
and then, secure upon the wave, to lay 1
me down In peace to sleep.
II feel it sincerely
Hooked up in surprise and found
the speaker, a heartDroken man. iudg- I
ing by his sad face and his sadder /
voice, my vis-a,vis at table, close beside
ne.
THAT restless restless water has the
sane fascination for mel 7 have been
81 the feeling. have tried-