The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-04-18

| tleman, turning round to the new arrival,
what dye think of the playT
only just got in" returned Mr.. VII
iiers, sulkily. ANY good?"
well, not bad" returned the other;
1--WE seen it in Melbourne, you know
the original, l mean, this is a very sec
ond-hand affair"
Just as the orchestra were making their
final 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-
joying the play, eh?"
Villiers angrily pushed away the
Frenchman's hand and gared vindictively
at him.
"Ah, you still bear malice for that lit
tie episode of the ditch" said Vandeloup,
with a gay laugh. Come, now, this is a
mistake; let us be friends. Seen your
wife lately?"
This apparently careless inquiry caused
Mr.. Villiers to jump suddenly out OF his
seat, much to the astonisllment of his
friend Barty.
Altogether THE Cruet Stand" was a
success, and would have steady run Of
three nights at least, so Mr.. Wopples said.
Villiers, Vandeloup and Barty went out,
and as none of them felt inclined to go
TO bed, Villiers told them he knew Mr..
Theodore Wopples, and proposed that they
should so behind the scenes and see him.
This was unanimously carried and after
some difficulty with the doorkeeper, they
obtained access TO the mysterious regions
of the stage, and there found Master
Sheridan Wopples practicing a breakdown
while waiting for the rest of the family
TO get ready. He volunteered to guide
them to his fathers dressing room, and
on knocking at the door Mr.. Wopples'
voice doomed out Come in," in such an
unexpected manner that it made them all
jump.
OF course, they ali expressed themselves
delighted, and as the entire Wopples fam
lily had already gone to their hotel, Mr..
Wopples with his three guests went out
of the theater and wended their way to-
wards the same place.
They soon arrived at the hotel, and
having entered, Mr.. Wopples pushed open
the door of room from whence the sound
of laughter proceeded, and introduced the
three strangers to his family. The whole
ten, together with Mrs. Wopples. were
present. and were seated around a large
table plentifully laden with cold beef and
pickles, salads and other things 200 nu-
merous to mention. Mr.. Wopples present
ed them first to his wife, a faded, washed
out looking lady, with perpetual simper
on her face, and clad in lavender mus
lin gown with ribbons of the same de-
scrption, she looked wonderfully light
and airy.
'Srhis," said Mr.. Wopples in his deep
voice, holding his wife's hand as if he
were afraid she would float upward
through the ceiling like bubble, this is
my futterer."
Why he called her his flutterer no one
ever knew, unless it was because her rib
bons were necessarily fluttering; but, had
he called her his shadow. the name would
have been more appropriate. Mrs. Wop-
Piles futterCA down TO the ground in q
bow. and then futtered up again.
Gentlemen" she said in thin, clear
voice, you are welcome. Did you enjoy
the performance"
Madame" returned Vandeloup, with
smile, need you ask that?"
shadowy smile floated over Mrs. wop-
pies indistinct features, and then her hus-
band introduced the rest of the family in
bunch.
Gentlemen" he said. waving his hand
to the expectant ten. who stoed in a line
Of five male and Eve female. 1.-THE celebrat-
ed Wopples family"
The ten all simultaneously bowed at
this as il they were worked by machinery,
and then every one sat down to supper.
Mr.. Theodore Wopples taking the head of
the table. All the family seemed to ad
mire him immensely, and kept their eyes
fastened on his face with affectionate re-
gard. When it was nearly twelve o'clock
Vandeloup rose to take his leave.
"Oh, you're not going yet," said Mr..
Wopples, upon which all the family
echoed, Surely, not yet" In most hos
pitable manner.
Il must said Vandeloup, with a
smile. Il know Madame will excuse me-"
with bow to Mrs. Wopples. who there
upon fiuttered nervously; but l have to
be up very early in the morning"
In that case" said Mr.. Wopples, ris-
ing, Il will not detain you: early to bed
and early to rise, you know; not that I
believe in it much myself, but I under
stand it is practiced with good results by
some people"
Good night, Messrs. villiers and Jar
per-" said Vandeloup, going out of the
door. Il will see you tomorrow"
And we also. hope" said Mr.. Won
pies, ungrammatically. Come and see
The Cruet Stand again. IN put your
| name on the free list"
N. Vanfeloup thanked the actor warm.
ly for this kind offer, and took himself
off as he passed along the street he heard
burst of laughter from the Weyples fam.
ily, no doubt caused by some wa,ticisn
, a. the head of the clan.
ua nu.ad IL