Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-11
TWO PARTS.
A TRUE STORY OF THE STAGE.
By II. 8. HANDY.

| lily had comfortable little fiat in New
| York. and were as happy as could be until
| one day Mr.. Went fell Ill. Helen's mother
! with tears In her eyes, told Helen and heI
little brother, John, that father would moi
be able to play the violin any more that
winter. II don't know what will become
| Of US ALL" said poor Mrs. Went, tears now
| streaming down her cheeks.
Don't cry, mother DEAR" said Helen
'I'l1 think OF some way. Well manage;
| see II we don't"
Mrs. Went smiled at her little daughter
hopefulness. as she sat down to write q
| letter to the manager of the theater Mr..
Went played for.
Helen was told to. deliver the letter. II
was the first time she had ever gone to q
theater. except when her father had been
given tickets to see "Beauty and the
Beast" Her heart beat fast as she
waited in the Office for Mr.. Scott. the man
ager.
Two men were talking as she enters, and
after politely bidding the little girl to sit
down, returned to the subject they had
been discussing when she entered.
Il don't know what we can do without
him. The play depends on that youngster
and his folks won't let him go on the road.
We've only week in which to replace him
and the worst feature Is that all the chill
dren who are worth anything were engaged
at this time last year. I'm just about dis
The men. talked some more and Helen
learned from their conversation that they
wanted a little boy to play in the theater
where her father was employed She had
often heard father tell about the boy
Cecil Dale.
Here an idea entered Helen's active little
brain Why couldn't their John play the
part and earn the $50 a week that Cecil
oa Thia and
keep father from worrying as to what
would become Of them while he was sick.
Before Helen knew how she got the
courage she approached one Of the gen
believe my little brother could play the
part. and DO 1t we'll He's very clever, and
I'll teach him the lines: Won't. you
just give him . chance, sir7 It won't
HAS your brother ever been on the
stage?' asked the gentleman. who was
the stage manager. smiling at Helen 9
eagerness and wisdom.
theater at home with all our little friends
and John always gets lots OF applause.
He's just splendid!'
what parts has he played" asked the
manager more amused at Helen,s enthusi-
asm than with any serious idea of employ
Soh, he's good at anything. John is! I
like him best as Little Lord Fauntleroy.
You know Eva's the little girl In play
called Uncle Toms Cabin John himself
likes the play Still Alarm because there's
q fire engine In that play"
What part does he take In the Still
Alarm" asked the manager.
why. the IRE engine replied Helen.
HE plays 1t SO real and natural like. you
get out Of his way. you're SO afraid you'll
Both men laughed and told Helen they
would think about John as a. candidates for
their play. It 10 doubtful II they would
have gone any further than to think about
John If 1t had not been for Johns deter
mined sister. .4,.-~ II
Early. the next, morning Helen was on
hand with John by her side. He was q
manly little fellow. with handsome face
and winning manners and distinct. clear.
musical voice. The manager was attracted
to him, and after some questions told
Helen he had decided to let her take the
part and see what the two Of them could
make OF It.
'come Thursday. children. and II John
week. provided Helen goes along to take
care Of him."
Helen felt az II the whole chorus Of song
birds were In her heart as she started home
to tell the good news to father and mother.
She was sure John could learn the part,
and she would teach him every bit by
Thursday. for wasn't today only Tuesday?
Patient little Helen! Her work was just
John interested and by -coaxing and By
bribing the child made great Roadway He
was promised q mechanical train when he
had learned ALL Indeed, the whole family
now took the greatest interest In the sue
cess Of Hclen's plan.
Mother worried q little about her dar-
lfnRs going away from her, but Helen re-
moved her fears by saying. You let me
take full care of John. mother. You trust
me to take him to school, and dress him
now. II do my part, don't you fear, and
father shall have nothing to do but rest
and get strong this winter
II know you will. DEAR" said mother,
"you have been blessing ever since you
were born"
On Thursday Helen and John presented
themselves at the theater to be given a
had none of the self-consciousness and af-
fectation Of the ordinary stage child. He.
was so natural all were loud in his praises.
In one scene he had to play horse with his
cited he forgot his exact lines. but shouted.
Whoa. there!'' and : Get up there,
horsey. In such real way that all
shouted Bravo" and 'Hurrah.
Hell do said the manager. HE plays
the part better now than Cecil ever did,
While John was being congratulated,
Helen was being questioned by several
ladies in the company. who had heard the
story of Mr.. Vents sickness and how
Helen had planned to keep the wolf from
the door. When they learned that she
was to travel all over the United States
to take care of John-to have him ready
for trains to be always dressed for his
part Of the play-they determined to help
the brave little girl and lessen her care
in any way they could.
And all kept their promises. as the next
six months showed. The company travelled
from New Orleans In the south, to Omaha
in the west, and then back to New York
again when spring came .
Johns part proved q great success ana
every newspaper spoke in Sloudest praise
Of his talent. There was one other, I
think who played even a harder part, and
played It better, don't you? The quiet lit
Tie girl who cared for the little actor. be-
friend, an in one to him The one who
sent the money home to that little fat, IN
New York-the one who was always brave
and loving. and unselfsh, and dutiful
Don't you think in Gods book." dear little
Helen would win even more splendid. mo-
ttces than John did In the papers? am
sure she would. and what Is more I am
sure she got them. - 20 - -