Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-23

" bANE MNA oA4 MISS AfAAAANkAAuG WI 20
ments and say that she desired his presence
at her party that evening.
When Mr.. Boolerby arrived home that
evening, his mamma made him acquainted
with Miss Emmerlineis desire To say that
the little gentleman was surprised, would
be drawing it mild, indeed; his surprise was
only exceeded by bis delight How many
times he dressed that night will never be
known, now his cravat would not suit him.
then again il would be his shirt that was all
awry, then when he would be all but ready
he would imagine that something was
wrong in his attire, aud he came very near
discolatiug his little neck in the vain en-
deavors he made to look down his little
back. But as ali things have an ending so
did this elaborate toilet Of Mr.. Thomas
Boolerby
The party was to bezheld at eight o'clock
and promptly at that hour, Mr.. Thomas
Boolerby found himself upon the doorstep
with his heart in his mouth and his hat in
his hand.
In response to his rather timid knock
the door was opened by no less person
than Miss Emmerline Diggs looking beauti-
full in a pink creation, trimmed in blue.
And such a smile she greeted him with,
putting him at his ease Immediately. so
glad to see you Mr.. Boolerby." she iisped,
II was so afraid that you wouldn't attend"
Mr.. Thomas murmured something about
thepleasure it gave him to be present. to
which Miss Emmerliue replied, with a
warm pressure of the hand, that was more
eloquent than any words she could have
spoken.
Mr.. Thomas was introduced to the guests
that we're present aud to those that came
afterward. Aud a very merry evening they
had Of 1t. They played a game called Clap
in, aud clap out, which took Mr.. BoOlerby's
fancy Immediately. This game was played
by someone going out into another room
aud sending in for someone who was still
in the room, when the person who was sent
for responded, he or she was kissed by the
sender amid a loud clapping Of hands by
the assembled company
Mr.. Thomas sent in for Miss Emmerliue
and Miss Emmerline sent in for Mr..
Thomas and Miss Emmerline kissed Mr..
Thomas, and Mr. Thomas kissed Miss Em.
merliue. If Mrs. Boolerby could have seen
her estimable son at this moment it Is
pretty certain that his day Of merrymakiug
would have speedily ceased to exist but
fortunately for all parties this good dame
was happily, unconscious of the osculatory
dissipations Of her irst born
After the interest in the games had begun
TO waue, some one suggested that Miss
Diggs favor them with a solo; but this lady
excused herself with the plea that she
wasn't singer, and to let some one else do
the singing.
But to this the company strongly pro-
tested; so after much urging, she finally
gave in to the wishes of those present and
consented to try, providing the company
did not make fun of her poor efforts, to
which they cried. 'the very idea"
Sc she sang one song, and upon being
vigorously applauded, sang another which
was also well received. Theu several other
ladies sung, as did several of the gentlemen
who we're present Mr. Thomas had heard
no other voice through all this vocal bonn
harding but that Of his far ensaver; and il
was Of her he was thinking when he was
suddenly aroused from his dreaming by
the voice of that talented young lady asking
him to sing. He, Thomas Boolerby, who
had never sang but one song in his life; aud
that in the privacy of his own room a. night,
and sometimes under the bed covers to keep
his mother from becoming aware Of his
ambition. He to get up before that crowd
of people, great many Of them who were
accomplished singers themselves, not that
he believed that he couldn't sing, for he
knew better; but to sing before crowd of
celebrities as he believed they we're: the
very idea Of such an occurrence caused the
perspiration to stand out on his forehead in
beads
How he finally came to be at the piano he
doesn't understand to this day; but there
he was and being urged by Miss Emmerline
to sing just one song, aud being eutreated
by Miss Emmerline' most particular friend.
Miss Sophia Simms, to sing one song, and
being implored by the rest Of the company
to sing one song, Mr.. BoOlerby at last gave
ia and started to sing that much desired
one song.
As 1t happened Miss Sophia Simms. who
was to be the accompanist, did not appear
to be acquainted with that touching little
ballad, Love- Look at Thy Adorer," but
she guessed" she could accompany Mr.
BOolerby by taxing" the accomp pani u1eut;
so Mr.. Thomas, very nervous aud extremely
excited, began to sing; that is if certain lit
tie ventriloquist like sounds could be
called singing; and although he kept braveIy
on; his little body Euffed up like bantam 5.
and bis cheeks seemingly ready to burst;
he hardly felt as if he was doing himself
justice, for try as he might, Mr. Thomas
felt, TO use a vulgar expression, THAT his
voice was coming out ia 'chunks")
Miss Sophia Simms vas having troubles
Of her own also. La the whole course of her
musical career she had oficiated at the
piano IN the role of accOmpanist on a great
many occasions, but this was likely to be a
red letter day IN her musical calendar, for,
as she remarked to some Of her personal
friends afterwards, that IN all her career she
had never met such a SKY rockety" singer
as that Boolerby surely was From this it
can be seen that Mr.. Boolerby couldn't have
exactly 'shiued."
What perfect tenor" Grid Miss Diggs
after Mr. Thomas had finished What
wonderful high notes he has. " said another.
And So much feeling" echoed a third.
And so they kept this up until the little
fellow really believed that he had acquitted
himself uoDly. and ne Immediately began
to grow condescending to the rest Of the
company, to the male portion Of IL anyway,
aud when one Of these gentlemen (the wit
of the evening it chanced to bel chided him
upon his saying he could not sing when he
was possessed Of such V0tce, he replied
that he never was much for putting on"