The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-24
AEKTERRUPTED MATIKM.
prom the sunny South. ]

i2
It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon. On
board were several professionals be-
sides our tenor" and they were pre-
pairing to give up a free matinee, which
turned out to be unique in more par
ticulars than this one.
The space immedia tely 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 ne
cess1ty standing, and some lolhng
against the outer railing, where the
wind had a fair, clean sweep at them.
And how cold and strong Il blew that
August afternoon, and how the snip
rocked The graceful 1ollers shifted
their positions every now and then TO
save themselves from going over board.
We buttoned our coats tight and
turned the collars up as high as pos
S1b1e to keep from freezing, and to my
certain knowledge three Of the party
had to leave between acts for some
thing to warm them uD-just as they
do on land.
The curtain rose to the jelliest music
that surely was ever picked from AN
old banjo" and a little dancer stepped
forth and made graceful bow. And
so we had found out at last--she was
an actress, and she had broken Gifts
hearti It 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 a fetching
little blouse, with such pretty red cufTs
and big sailor collar and abbreviated
skirts, that she was lust the most ire
maidenhood that q 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
exchange at table and sat for the bal
ance of the trip with his eyes turned
to the unchanging seal
And now she was just a. little dane
ing girl nothing more, and we soon
forgot that she had ever been anything
else. Rarely had stage such a dancer
or dancer such q stage! She began
with a slow, graceful movement that
grew faster and faster as she went on
and on till 1T 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 togeth-
err faster and still faster, till suddenly
for an instant stood STILL and the girl
with bow and a smile that showed
all her pretty teeth, stepped off and
was instantly reconVerted into one of
those small, bright particles that go to
make up the sunshine of the masculine
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
hushed 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
gaze upon the murmuring waves
What were they ssying2 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 enbod-
led in those. waves has surely been felt
by every heart weary heavy burdened
wanderer from land Just to drop
overheard, one moments wild agony,
and then, secure upon the wave, to lay
me down in peace to sleep.
Il feel it sincerely"
I looked up in surprise and found the
speaker, a heartbroken man, judging
by his sad face and his sadder voice,
my vis-a-vis at table, close beside me.
THAT restless, restless water has the
same fascination for mel I have been
ashamed of the feeling. I have tried.
but [ cannot subdue it. And, after
all. why is 1t nqt best to give Up the
struggle and end it right here and
now? What is the use of living on
when all that life helds sacred Is gone
gone beyond recal12 That music, that
music! 1t has added the last link in
the chain that fate is drawing around
me, and am glad, for 1 long to be at
rest!
And calm and peaceful is my sleep,
Rocked in the cradle of the deep"
Softly he repeated the words, then
Ioked at me and smiled. The struggle
was over-I saw it In his facet With a
hOarse cry, I sprang to my feet! I
called for help; but alas, it was too
latei The music now was hushed and
drowned by another cry which passed
from lip to lip-that cry that, once
heard, will never be forgotten, MAN
overheard! Man overboard!'