Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17

poxes Dundles or carpet or even squat
ted on the floor of the stage, their talk
causing a 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 effort to detect
any of the company who might be
stealing some comfort In the box seats,
q 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 to
know who let her in, anyway. Going
TO the little sleeper, Pete deftly took
the envelope from the little hand which
still clasped it, however loosely. The
great man impatiently tore open the
note, gave 1t swift glance, crunched
it and, throwing it among the foot
lights, gave a pull at his cigar and
strobe hurriedly into the street. The
company crowded forward to view the
little intruder. Tony Thompson, the
comedian of the organization, picked
up the note, Strengthened out its creases
and read aloud:
John Hardcraft. Esq, Manager the Rialto
Opera Company:
Dear Sir-I beg indulgence for thus in
truding upon your time and patience. 1t
is with reluctance / write to ask II you
cannot send me a few dollars to be paid
back as soon as my husband Is able to
work again. l 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-in need of
food. but fear that IL 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 II
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 a 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 a handker-
chief and noiselessly placed into the
lap of the sleeping child.
That rrac not oil havpv
thought came to the comedian, now as
serious as a Hamlet. From a roll Of
money he whipped twenty dollar bill.
In a very few minutes the property
man and his assistant had placed on
the stage in front of the sleeping girl
without much ado from the vender 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.
ing orders in rapid succession, as fol-
lows:
"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!"
The sound of celestial music filled
the place. 1t 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 one? Don't
you see that Santa Claus has come to
take care of your
Eyes, l know, dear Santa, but l am
crying because l am afraid I'll wake
up and find it isn't real" And the
trembling child huddled closer.
"But it is real, and you are not asleep.
See this handkerchief filed with mon
ey 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 l am
not going to forget you."-Atlanta Con-
stitution