Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-19

was stamping his feet in time to the march
music, and just he glanced around TO
ASCERTAIN who this devoted son of Terpsi-
chore might be the individual was seen to
assume an expression of the deepest ran
lure, While at the same time he broke forth
IN meiodious whistle, joyously accompa-
nylng Herr Conried's orchestra in the bean
uful and stirring ''Toreador Song"
Probably the crank should not have in
| terrupted the individual but he had a spe-
clal weakness for instrumental music es
peclaiiy as played by this very orchestra
preferring it not a little to whistling Some
persons may find an excuse in this for
what he did
Sir, ventured the crank modestlv IT
beheVe you are spelling the music"
Now such a way of putting 1t was GER
talnly uncalled for under the circumstances
and only went to show. of course that the
crank was a crank. 1t would have been
vastly more gentlemanly to have simply
stated his preference and left the rest to
the strangers politeness
AS for the individual he was naturally
greatly taken aback by the rudeness of the
interruption. 1t was without doubt his in
HeTeht good manners that made a mysti-
neu expression spread over his as he tried
TO comprehend the remark and then causad
MN TO lapse into perfect silence
Having vanquished this innocent offender
our crank was going to listen to the open
ing choruS, when he was severely pricked
from behind by two sharp instruments 1t
cannot be denied that by this time he had
begun to lose his temper The pricking
eNdScerated
turned around, with much difficulty and
found out that the two thin maiden ladies'
behind him had pinned their hats 10 the
fronts of their dresses with long hatpins.
Whlcn were protruding forward and per-
forating his legs with every move of the
owners
If he had only stopped long enough to
consider that the thin ladies had been kind
er than the cOrpulent ones having removed
their hats so that persons in their rear
might see better, he might have been with
held from making any remark. This he did
not do, but thought only of the three or
four inches of hatpin in his person
Madame" said he quite angrily. adj
ion.'' = = p, Iry
Both ladies jumped at his tone and the
marked implication of his words When
the pins were twisted in the cranks flesh
as result of the movements ii was all he
could DO to repress a fierce cry of rage
and he was successful only after crushing
his hat in his hands for several moments
II taxes such situations as these to bring
out the crankiness of this type of men.
1t was sad to observe how far gone he
was, for he forgot TO listen to the music
for some time. While Madame CaIve vas
singing the dance song in the second act
the two corpulent females Che had begun
to think of them as females" now. for
their hats were still on their headsl rather
Unexpectedly began to discuss Carmen's
dress, w}ich-was indeed a very beautiful
one. 1T seems, however that the crank had
near DISCUSSIONS OF dress among females
before. and had grown tired of them or
that he preferred to listen to the music
rather than to a discussion of this dress
TINS time. Be that as it may, the incident
proved to be nearly the last straw that
was to break the cameFs back
railing to distinguish the notes of fha
singer from the strident tones of the corplI-
lent conferees. he burst forth in great
anger.
"Shut up,'' he said. in low tone into
both of their ears.
For this he was treated as he certain1,.
deserved, being stared at in wonder ana
then snubbed completely
Up to this time he had managed to retain
ms interest IN the opera to some extent
directing his sarcasm and i'll humor toward
those of the audience near him. kut the
most fragrant outburst of indignation be-
cause 1t was the most uncaIled for came
later Personally, however, the writer feels
some pity for the poor crank who must
surely have been considerably dist,rhed
considering his popularity of disposition
1t came al the end of the last act For the
moment our crank was lost in endowment
or the passionate duet at the conclusion of
which the brigadier stabs the wayWard
gypsy girl, who falls to the ground dead
1t was over, and he had begun to saw to
himself How finer' for his Gun of nleas
ure was full-when head was thrust over
pair of ears: ~
"Oh. she didn't And I was sura sba
would, she is so large. But did you see how
he held her and let her slide down easvq
wonder how heavy she is? My. couldn't
enjoy the music for wondering how she'd
do It," nv" Sne
Here the crank did not address his sneer-
ing observation at the person who had Of
Tended him. He stopped lower
Il wish she had broken the stage floor"
said he. clenching his fists fendishly I
The book will probably be a sour affair
~