Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-07-04

change to make, he was carefully
overlooking his uniform in which he
was to be acknowledged as hero.
"Ah, Jere," sang out one of the
boys, there's a note from the blondy
blonde in the front row. What a
blow to my hopes! / thought I had
made an impression. Look out, old
man, you're tipping over our beauti-
fers," as Jere, reaching for the note,
upset the numerous toilet articles.
He opened the note and glad look
came into his eyes as he read,
'sDear Jere:-Your mother, Abigail
ana myself are witnessing your first
performance in Salina. Center aisle.
eighth row; will wait for you.
Aunt Martha"
"P. S.-There's a ravelin' on your
back" M. X.
The pleasant smile overspread
Jere's face. Then someone put his
head in the room and called out.
"Jere Ketchum, Hero of Shelter
Bay"
Now, I say, Jere," expostulated
one of his comrades, chats too bad:
all the girls are stuck on you, come
stand back and give us show" Jere
laughed good-naturedly and took the
other note. A stentorian voice out
side bawled out, Fifteen minutes,
fifteen minutes!"
The dressing room was seized with
a small panic; boots and hats chased
each other over the floor. Yet Jere
calmly read this little message,
Hello, Jere, old boy, I'm in first
row, first bal, near the stereopticon;
look my way. Will meet you at stage
door. Yours, Hennie."
''P. S.-You're brick"
The curtain had just gone up on
the third act when Abigail, who was
thoroughly enjoying her first matt
nee suddenly clutched her mothers
arm and whispered tragically, Look
there!" A great fear seized Mrs.
Ketchum.
"Over there by those boxes, second
row." Abigail's eyes were dilated
with terror. Mrs. Ketchum followed
the direction her daughter had in
dicated. Father" she gasped as that
well-known profile came in range.
Their fears were confirmed by Aunt
Martha as she said under her breath,
"Well, here's a pretty kettle of fish"
Abigail was on the point of hys-
terics and her mother full of aprre-
hension.
Martha" she whispered, eve must
get out of here; he would never for
give me for bringing Abbie to such
a place"
Martha well knew what Mrs.
Ketchum feared and assured them
they could leave when the act was
finished and have plenty of time to
get home before he did. "Abner
seems to be enjoying the sinful play"
she mentally commented. Perhaps
his heart is not quite SO hard as he
would have folks think
Oh! The agony of those remaining
moments! Abigail kept her eyes ever
on her father, who, though a most
interested spectator, had caused con-
sternation in more than one direc-
ton.
A stalwart lad in the first balcony
caught sight of that shining bald
head with its fringe Of gray.
''The pater, by the great horn
spoon." he exclaimed aloud much to
the amusement of some school girls
sitting near. The curtain fell amid
round Of applause and Henry
Ketchum, selling his school-books,
dashed up to the doorway and down
stairs into the foyer and was there
confronted by his astoHished mother
and Abigail, who were on the point
of leaving. The little party were
speechless for moment. Then
Henry with a sheepish look in his
handsome boyish face remarked, 81
was just going home" Abigail with
just touch of humor, replied, eyes,
SO are we"
Instinctively they each knew what
brought the other there and the
cause of their hasty departure. Hen
ry ventured to remark: "Father has
a good seat" But his mother was
too Inundated to appreciate it.
"Children,' said she, as they waited
for the car, 'it is the first time I
ever deceived your father and I got
my pay for it, They arrived home
in the fading daylight. The chores
were done and supper waiting on the
table. Still Mr.. Ketchum did not
come. The three sat around the ia
BILE and talked over their afternoons
experience and tried to guess what
motive prompted the father to do
such rash thing. The hours dragged
slowly on. Mrs. Ketchum was full of
foreboding. The clock struck II and
she was on the point of sending Harry
to town on horseback when the gate
clicked and they stood breathless
with expectancy. The kitchen door
opened and Abner entered, followed
by a well-known form. "Jere,"
screamed Abigail. "My son." faltered
the mother, as he caught her in his
strong arms.
eyes, sir, our son." replied Mr..
Ketchum. 81 went to the matinee