The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-12-21

and neck. In few minutes the stage
manager abruptly stopped the evolu-
tions and singing to announce that
an hour would be given for something
to eat. So there followed hurrying
to nearby cafes and lunch places, and
the big theater was left dark and ST.
lent, where only few moments pre-
vious had resounded the voices of cho-
rus, the shuff1ing and patter of feet
and the shouts of the excited director.
After awhile, one by one and in pairs
and more, the company began to as
semble again. There was still good
half hour, and the boys and girls of
the chorus accepted the opportunity
to chat and gossip as they sat on boxes,
bundles of carpet or even squattcd on
the floor of the stage, their talk caus-
ing hum to resound throughout the
big auditorium.
And still the child slept on.
Suddenly there was an ominous
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 ef-
fort to detect any ofthe company who
might be stealing some comfort in the
box seats, privilege strictly forbid
den. 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 to know who let her in, any
way. Going to thelittle sleeper, Pete
deftly took the envelope from the lit
tie hand which still clasped it, how
ever loosely. The great man impa-
tiently tore open the note, gave it a
swift glance, crunched it and, throw
ing it among the footlights, gave a
pull at his cigar and strobe hurriedly
into the street. The company crowd
ed forward to view the little intruder.
Toney Thomson, the comedian of the
organization, picked up the note,
Strengthened cut its creases and read
aloud
John Ha1dtyaff, Esq, Manage, the
RiaIto Opera Combamy.,
Dear Sir-I beg indulgence for thus
intruding upon your time and patience.
1t is with reluctance I write to ask if
you cannot send me few dollars to
be paid back as soon as my husband is
able to work again. have used all the
money he has saved for the doctors
bill and to purchase medicine and our
necessities. We have not had cent
in the house for two days now, and
not only are we-my little daughter
and myself-ir need of food, but I
fear that if cannot renew the pre-
scriptions for the medicine the doctor
has ordered Mr.. Granger will have a
relapse. I dislike very much to ask
this favor of you, but our condition is
becoming desperate. You will be do
ing an act of kindness we shall never
forget if 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 word there
was tinkling of dimes, quarters and
halves as they dropped into the hat
of the fat and rosy little comedian.
The collection was tied up in hand
kerchief and noiselessly placed into
the lap of the sleeping child.
But that was not all. A happy
thought came to the comedian, now
as serious as hamlet. From roll
of money he whipped twenty dollar
bill. In very few minutes the
property man and his assistant had
placed on the stage in frort of the
sleeping girl nice green Christmas
tree, purchased without much ado
from the vender on the corner. 9th
ers had hurriedly brought little red,
white and blue candles, strings of
popcorn, tinsel and candy hearts,
which were quickly attached to the
boughs of the cedar. While this was
going on Tony was giving orders In
rapid succession, as follows:
Quick, there, Jennie; bring that
big 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 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 in the
starlight. That's it-just little
softer p
The sound of celestial music filed
the place. 1t was dark save where
the twinkling lights of the Christmas
tree Illuminated the figure ofthe mer-
ry 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
look neI on MS zap ana tlSntiy neio
her in his arms.
Whats the matter, little onef
Don't YOU see that Santa Claus has
come to take care of your
eyes, 1 know, dear Santa, but l
am crying because l am afraid I'll
wake up and find 1t n'treal." And
the trembling child huddled closer.
but it is real, and you are not
asleep. See this handkerchief filled
with money for your dear sick papa.
Now take it home, and tonight be
sure to hang up 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. ."-AHaNfa C0NsfifEfioH.