The Grit-advocate., 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
sesson tickets. Here are IA couple
of t:ckcrs, Albert he said that morn
ing to his chief clerk. "My wife is
sick and | cant use them. Something
seems 10 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 fellow clerk.
Admitted to the Auditorium that
eveajng, 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.
Well, anyway. III fix you out. I've
got spot in the parquet that some
how doesn't fill. and III just have you
planted there. If anybody comes in.
of course, you can move. and if all the
seats should fill up I'll find another
good place for you. But I'm pretty
sure you wont be disturbed"
Thanks. old chap said Albert
"Of course might just as well use
the old mans ticket"-and he fumbled
for the stub in his pocket.
oh, no, couldn't think OF It," re-
turned the usher friend. 81 haven't
seen you for a long time. and want
to show you my Dearts in the right
spot"
Albert did not want to be rude, so
made no further protest and took the
seat, c SO, which was next but one to
the aisle. The orchestra filed in and
the concert began.
But as the house filed Albert be-
gan to fidget. People came in and
passed down the alsles. He saw them
disappear from the aisles' ends, pass
in and sit down; sit where. apparent
ly. from his coign 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
Young lady, apparently his daughter,
came down the aisle, preceded by the
usher, who stood ut Albert's row end
and motioned the old gentleman in.
"CarfQip1y CT co{J A1bort rr,h
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 scat 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 late-comer to Alberts
seat, as that young man imagined. He
again was about to make his way to
the rear, when he found the old gen
tlfman and young lady making way
for the newcomer, who was passing
to the one vacant seat beyond them.
SO again Albert sat down and tried
to enjoy the 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 il he couldn't find the seat the
"old man. had given him, where he
wolld be unmolested. He cursed the