The Ordway new era., 1905-04-28
In His Own Seat

Jenkins. the junior partner. seemed
fated never to be able to get TO the
concerts. for which he had bought
seEson tickets. Here are a couple
of tickets. Albert" he said that morn
ing TO his chief clerk. My wife Is
sick and can't use them. Something
seems TO prevent my going every
time"
Albert. glad OF the opportunity,
thanked his employer for the paste
boards. and spent an hour calling up
girl friends. Every one had an en-
gagement. so he was forced to go
alone. giving his extra ticket to Fan
Shave, a fellow clerk.
Admitted to the Auditorium that
evening. Albert Frederickson met an
old schoolmate in the person OF one of
the ushers.
Got a good seat?' queried the
friend.
why, yes, guess so. One the boss
gave me-" returned Albert.
We'll. anyway. II fix you out I've
got spot In the parquet that some
how doesn't fill, and I'll just have you
planted there. II anybody comes in.
of course. you can move, and IL all the
seats should fill up I'll find another
good place for you. But I'm pretty
sure you won't be disturbed
Thanks. old chap" said Albert.
"Of course I might Just as well use
the old mans ticket"-and he fumbled
for the stub in his pocket.
snh Jrs t,l, .f 4.
turned the usher friend. II haven't
seen you for a long time. and l want
to show you my beart's in the right
spot"
Albert did not want to be rude, so
made no further protest and took the
seat, c 90. which was next but one to
the aisle. The orchestra filed in and
the concert began.
But as the house filled Albert be-
gan to fidget. People came in and
passed down the aisles. He saw them
disappear from the aisles' ends, pass
in and sit down: sit where. apparent
ly, from his ceign of disadvantage
there were no seats. But he felt re.
lieved when they all passed by to take
seats toward the front.
Then steps behind, and a gentle
man Of distinguished appearance with
a young lady, apparently his daughter,
came down the aisle, preceded by the
usher. who stood at Albert's row end
and motioned the old gentleman in.
Certainly. sir" said Albert, grab.
bing his opera glass and sliding in
confusion into the aisle. He was about
to pass back to see his usher friend
and get new GOAT when, glancing
back. he saw that the two had not
paused. but had taken two vacant
seats Just behind his own. So AL
bert, the cold perspiration starting
from his forehead, about.faced. walked
back and sank into his seat, while the
color mounted to his ear tips as he
felt that everybody must be looking
at him.
The concert progressed and Albert
had almost forgotten his troubles in
one of the best numbers OF the pro.
gram, when again the usher paused
and motioned q late-comer to Albert's
seat, as that young man imagined. He
again was about tu make his way to
the rear, when he found the old gen.
tleman and young lady making way
for the newcomer, who was passing
to the one vacant seat beyond them.
80 again Albert sat down and tried
to enjoy tho music. But his anxiety
was too great. Plainly he was too
nervous to enjoy anything that night.
Then he happened to think Of the
ticket In his pocket. He would go and
see II he couldn't flnd the seat the
''old man" had given him, where he
would b unmclested. Hs cursed the