Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-16
CHAPTER XIV.

The Wopples family were true Bohe-
mians, and had not yet lost their way
to the pleasant city. They accepted good
aud bad fortune with wonderful equanim-
Lty, and if their pockets were empty one
day, there was always a possibility of
their being full the next. When this was
che case they generally celebrated the
event by a little supper, and as their
present season in Ballarat bid fair to he
a successful one. Mr.. Theodore Wopples
determined to have cornwall evening
after the performance was over.
That the Wopples family were favorites
with the Ballarat folk was amply seen
by the crowded house which assembled to
see The Cruet Stand" The audience
were very impatient for the curtain to
rise, as they did not appreciate the over
ture, which consisted of airs adapted for
the violin and piano by Mr.. Handel Wop-
Piles, who was the musical genius of the
family. and sat in the conductors seat.
playing the violin and conducting the or
chestra of one. which, on this occasion,
was Miss Jemima Wopples, who presided
at the piano.
Then the orchestra played the "wop-
pies Waltz" dedicated to Mr. Theodore
Wopples by Mr.. Handel Wopples, and
during the performance of this Mr.. WI
Hers walked into the theater. He was
a little pale, as was only natural after
such an adventure as he had been engaged
In, hut otherwise seemed all right He
walked up to the first row of the stalls.
and took his seat beside young man of
about -. who was evidently much amused
at the per sormance.
"Hullo. Villiers"' said this young zen
demsn. turning round TO the new arrival.
"what dye think Of the play?"
only just got in," returned ~. vii
HERS, sslkily. ANY good?"
"wen. not bad" returned the other
ave seen it in Melbourne. YOU know
the original. mean. this is very sec
cnd-hand affair"
Just as the orchestra were making their
6nal plunge into the finale of the "Wop.
pies Waltz" NJ. Vandeloup. cool and
calm as usual, strolled into the theater,
and. seeing a vacant seat beside villiers,
walked over and took it
Good evening. my friend he said,
touching Villiers on the shoulder. -En.
Toying the play. eh?"
VillierS angrily pushed sway the
Frenchmsn's hand and slared vindictively
at him.
"Ah. you still bear malice for that lit
tie episode Of the ditch" said Vandeloup
with gay laugh. Come. now. this is a
mistake: let US be friends. Seen your
wife Iatelyg"
This apparently careless Inquiry caused
Mr.. vlliers to jump suddenly out Of his
seat. much 10 the astonsshment of his
friend Barty.
Altogether "The Cruet Stand" was a
success. and would have a steady run OF
three nights at least. so Mr.. Wopples said
Villiers. Vandeloup Snd Barty went out
and as none of them teit inclined 10 20
90 bed. Nilliers told them he knew Mr.
Theodore WoppleS, and proposed hat they
should 90 behind the scenes and see him
This was unanimously carried. and after
some difficulty with the doorSeeper, they
obtained access TO the mysterious regions
of the stage, and there found Master
Sher dan Wopples practicing breakdown
while waiting for the rest Of the family
10 get ready. He volunteered 10 guide
them to his fathers dressing room. and
an knocking at the door Mr.. Wopples
voice doomed out Come in" in such an
unexpected manner that it made them al
jump.
OF course. they all expressed themselves
delighted, and as the entire Wopples fam
lily had already gone 10 their hotel, Mr.
.Wopples with his three guests went eui