New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1904-02-03
= ATONEMENT
BY SARAH B. KENNEDY

9 !.
@ Copyright, 1908. but. C. Mcclure @
oeosoeosososoosososososoe6
Miss Delaney, who had been to Wash
ington and seen several theatrical
stars" might tilt her nose as she
pleased, but the fact remained that the
entertainment given by the "Smithyille
Thespians" was success. Miss De-
laney said the performance was lacking
In artistic fnish." but Smithyille went
and paid its money without regret and
laughed as it had not laughed in years.
True, the intention of the Thespians
was not to make people laugh, for in
their self adulation they had essayed
a tragedy. But from tragedy to com
edy was an easy step with Dickey Holt
in the cast. Something was always
sure to happen to Dickey.
That which befell him this particular
night seemed trivial in it's nature. but
was far reaching in it's consequences.
He quite forgot that afternoon to pur-
chase pair of long hose to wear with
the knee breeehes of the colonial cos
tune III which he was to enact the
heavy villain and at the last moment
bribed the maid from the girls dress
ing room to surreptitiously borrow a
pair for him. These he donned so hur-
riedly that he failed to notice the own
ers name worked in bright silk Just
below the knee. But there were opera
glasses in the house. and soon the audi
ence knew what he did not. The ap-
plause accorded him was as unexpected
as it was gratifying, and he looked
compassionately at John Moore, the
leading man, who thought to reap all
the honors. But in the most thrilling
scene Of the second act, where his vii
lainy was denounced, there came an
awful moment
"You are penniless impostor!"
stormed John. giving the lines as they
were. why, the very shoes in which
you stand are not your own!'
And then before Dickey could make
his grandiloquently scornful reply a
small boy in the front row rose and
cried eXcitedly:
"And neither is the stockings his, for
they've got my sister Bellies name on
'e1nv'
After that a permanent return to
pompous tragedy was impossible. Even
John Moore's imposing voice and Jessie
Lanes well simulated tears failed to
keep the spectators in awe Dickey' s
stockings were the ''stars of the goodlie
companie," and every time he appeared
he was greeted with shouts and APP
plause. Though the delighted audience
went out into the night regretting no
penny spent for tickets. behind the
scenes Dickey had the whole troupe
about his ears. But the only criticism
that hurt him was Jessie Lanes. With
Jessie he had long believed himself in
love, and it hurt him when she said:
"You quite spoiled most Of my part,
and you made my poor little sister
Belle more miserable than l can tell
you"
The next night he called upon her to
make his peace and found John Moore
ooh, I have quite forgiven you,'
laughed Jessie, shut Belle has vowed
vengeance against you, and if you are
wise you will go out yonder on the
porch and pacify her. You used to be
quite hero in her eyes"
So Dickey left John with Jessie and
went miserably out to where Belle,
aged sixteen, swung in a hammock and
pouted. He had known and petted her
in days gone by and he thought soon
to smooth her ruffied plumage. Instead
he found her obdurate and full of re-
Jessie's sister. So Dickey spent the
evening by the hammock The next
time he came it was the same. John
sat with Jessie, and he was banished
to the porch and Belle. That young
lady had framed an elaborate pro-
ton to which she had been subjected.
He must bring her bonbons and flowers
and sing to her in the summer moon
light to his mandolin. Dickey under
took these things in a spirit of peni-
tence and martyrdom. Night after
night he sat on the porch and stroVe to
be amiable while mentally he was
Tuning against John. He sometimes
wondered why nice girls like Jessie had
to have small sisters.
During the second week of his en-
forced PREPARATION he made discovery.
Belle had heightened her dresses and
twisted her braids into a knot on top
Of her small head, and with these per-
sonal changes there had come also a
touch Of coquetry to her manner that
made her the most delightful compan-
ion. He found he was fretting less
over Johns advantages, but now and
then the old jealous thoughts would
come.
Are you not almost plaeated?" he
asked laughingly one night.
Belle answered with spirit: .sDo you
think six boxes of chocolate and three
bouquets would atone for all that
laughter in the dress circle and those
catcalls from the gallery. No, indeedp'