Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-12-18

snugly pressed into the corner OF the
softly padded chair. Her red tam had
slipped or. aud her hair was loosely
massed In ringlets about her face and
neck. In q few minutes the stage
manager abruptly stopped the evoIu-
tons and singing To announce that an
hour would be given for something 20
eat. So there followed "A hurrylng 10
nearby cafes and lunch places. and the
big theater was left dark and silent.
where only a few moments previous
had rcsounded the voices OF chorus. the
shufliing and patter OF feet ana the
shouts Of the excited director After
awhile, one by one and I'm pairs and
more. the company began to assem-
BILE again. There was still a good
balf hour, and the boys and girls
VI the chorus accepted the opportunity
TO chat and gossip as they sat on
boxes. bundles OF carpet or even squat
ted on the floor OF the stage, their talk
causing a hum 10 resound throughout
the big auditorium.
And still the child slept on.
Suddenly there was an omlnous hush
as Manager Hardcraft strobe upon the
stage. shaking snow from his fur lined
coat and shining silk hat His keen
eyes pierced the darkness toward the
boxes, probably In an effort 10 detect
any OF the company who might be
stealing some comfort I'm the box seats
privilege strictly forbidden. He
roughly demanded To know who the
kid was asleep In one of his forty
dollar chairs. Calling old Pete from
his post at the back. he wanted 10
know who let her In. anyway. Going
to the little sleeper. Pete deftly took
the envelope from the little hand which
still clasped II, however loosely. The
great man impatiently tore open the
note. gave II swift glance. crunched
It and. throwing 1t among the foot
! lights, gave pull at his cigar and
strobe hurriedly into the street The
company crowded forward 10 view the
( little intruder. Tony Thompson the
comedian OF the organization. picked
up the note. Strengthened out it's creases
and read aloud:
John Hardcraft ESQ., Manager the Rialto
Opera Company
Dear Sir-l beg indulgence for thus in
truding upon your time and patience. II
Is with reluctance / write TO ask II you
cannot send me few dollars TO be paid
back as soon as my husband is able TO
work again. I have used all the money
he has saved for the Doctors bill and to
purchase medicine and our necessities
We have not had a cent I'm the house for
two DAYS now. and not only are we--rpy
little daughter and myself-in need OF
food but I fear that II | cannot renew the
prescriptions for the medicine the doc
tor has ordered Mr.. Granger will have
a relapse / dislike very much TO ask
this favor Of YOU. but our condition is be-
coming desperate. You will be doing an
act OF kindness we shall never forget IL
you will send something TO aid us in our
predicament, and may God bless you for
IT, Respectfully. HELEN GRANGER.
Some one put his hand deep into his
pocket and brought up piece Of
money, and then without a word there
was tinkling OF dimes. quarters ana
halves a. they dropped into the hat of
the fat and rosy little comedian. The
collection was tied up I'm handker-
chief and noiselessly placed into the
lap OF the sleeping child.
But that was not all A happy
thought came TO the comedian. now az
serious as a Hamlet From a roll of
money he whipped a twenty dollar bill.
Ia very few minutes the property
man and his assistant had placed on
the stage IN front of the sleeping girl
a nice green Christmas tree. purchased
without much ado from the yender on
the corner Others had hurriedly
brought little red, white and blue can
dies, strings of popcorn. tInsel and
candy hearts. which were quickly at
tached to the boughs Of the cedar.
While this was going on Tony was Civ
ing orders In rapid succession. as fol-
lows
"Quick. there, Jennie; bring that bic
Cossack coat with the fur all around
the edges Bill run for those boots.
Hurry. now Somebody get me an Old
mans wig. long white hair mind you.
and Il beard There. that's just the
thing Here. YOU all stand back In the
shadow. Now. girls sing softly the
music that goes with the entrance OF
the queens barge I'm the starlight.
That's it-just a little softer"
The sound OF celestial music filed
the place II was dark save where the
twinkling lights Of the Christmas tree
Illuminated the figure OF the merry
Santa Claus standing alongside. with
his kindly face turned toward the
slowly awakening child. She opened
her eyes. blinked them again from the
light. sat straight. rubbed her eyes
with her tiny fists. stirred herself and
then. settling back in the big chair.
sobbed aloud. Jumping down from the
stage. the Santa Claus took her on his
lap and tightly held her in his arms.
Whats the matter. little oneY Don
you see that Santa Claus has come to
take care of your
Yes. I know. dear Santa, but | am
crying because | am afraid I'll wake
up and find IL isn't real And the
trembling child huddled closer.
But II IL real. and you are not asleep
See this handkerchief filled with mon
ey for your dear sick papa. Now take
Il home. and tonight be sure to hang mp
your stocking. both Of them. for when
every little boy and girl is asleep | am
going to make my rounds, and | am
not going to forget you" Atlanta Con
| StitutiOn