Connecticut western news., 1906-06-28
E)icKdY'S :xd,,%S ,-,,- O ATOhEMENT
By SARAH B. KENNEDY
Capu>iaIst. 1908, hu T. C. 1IeC7Grc

ington and seen several theatrical stars" might tilt her nose as she pleased, but the fact remained that the entertainment given by the 'Smlthville Tkcsqians' was success. Miss De lancy said the performance was lacking in artistic finish" but Smithville went and paid it's money without regret and laughed as it had not laughed i'll years. True, the intention of the Thespians was not to make people laugh, for in their self aGula ion they had essayed tragedy. But from tragedy to com- edy was an easy step with Dickey Holt in the cast. Something was always sure to happen to Dichey.
 That which befell him this particular night seemed trivial In It's nature. but was far reaching In Its consequences. He quite forgot that afternoon to pur. chase pair of long hose to wear with the knee breaches of the colonial cos tune in 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 Il pair for him. These he donned SD hur- ricdiy that he failed to notice the own CTS name worked in bright silk just below the knee But there were opera glasses ill the house, and soon the audi cnce knew what he did not. The a.l- plause accorded him was as unexpected us 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 tho second act, where his will lainy was denounced, there came aa awful moment.
 You are pennilcss impostor.." storned John. giving the lines as they were. Why, tho very shoes i'll which you stand are not ycCr own.'
 And then before Dickey could make his grandiioquently scornful reply small boy in the front TOW rose and cried excitedly:
 And neither is the stockings his, for they've got my sister Belle's name on 'emr
 After that permanent return to pompous tragedy was impossible. Even John Moore's imposing voice and Jessie Lanes we'll 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 ap- 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 I can tell you"
 The next night he called upon her to make his peace and found John Moore ill the parlor ahead of him.
 "Oh, I have quite forgiven you" laughed Jessie, but Belle has vowed vengeance against you, and if you are wise you will go out wonder 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 ill Il hammock and pouted He had known and petted her in days gone by, and he thought soon to smooth her rutiled plumage. Instead he found her obdurate and full of re- breaches. However. he must pacify Jessie's sister. So Dickey spent the evenin. by the hammock. The next time hA 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 gramme of reparation for the humiiia- 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 n spirit of peni- tence and martyrdom. Night after night he sat on the porch and stroye to be amiable while mentally he was fuming against John. He sometimes wondered why nice girls like Jessie had to have small sisters.
 During the second week of his en- forced reparation he made d 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 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 placatedT he asked laughingly one night.
 Belle answered with spirit: Do you think six boxes of chocolate and three bouquets would atone for all that laughter in the dress circle and those eatcalls from the gallery. No, indeed"'
 Dickey acknowledged that she was right and went on playing the agree able. and as he was as much philos- opher as martyr he set himself to get all the pleasure possible out of his new role. It was really surprising how . quickly time passed in Belle's presence. As she swung in the hammock with her heightened skirts froufrouing about her she made him tell her all about his hopes in his profession and