The Somerset reporter., 1907-12-19
Hire a mileage boob of R. T. Patten.

asleep.
Every one on the stage was too busy
to notice the mite as she rested there
one foot curled undsr. her pretty face
Snugly pressed into the corner of the
softly padded chair. Her red tam had
slipped off, and her hair was loosely
masSed In ringlets about her face and
neck In a few minutes the stage
manager abruptly stopped the evolu-
tons and singing t. announce that an
hour would be given for something 10
eat. So there followed hurrying to
nearby cafes and lunch places, and the
big theater was left dark and silent
where only n few moments previous
had reSounded the voices of chorus, the
shutting 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 assem-
BILE 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 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.
a 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 1t, however loosely. The
great man impatiently tore open the
note, gave 1t swift glance. crunched
1t and. throwing 1t 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-l beg indulgence for thus in
trudng upon your time and patience. 1t
is with reluctance I 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. have used oil the money
he has saved for the doctors bill and to
purchase medicine and our necessities.
We have not had a 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 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 II
you will send something to aid us in our
predicament. and may God bless you for
1t. 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 tinkllng OF dimes quarters and
the fat and rosy little comedian. The
collection WAS tied up In 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 as
serious as 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
a nice green Christmas tree. purchased
without much ado from the vender on
the corner. Others had hurriedly
brought little red, white and blue can
dies, strings of popcorn, tlnsel 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 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 a 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 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 merrr
Santa Claus standing alongside, with
his kindly face turned toward the
slowly awakening child. She opehr
her eyes. blinked them again from tao
light, sat straight, rubbed her Z q.
with her tiny fists, stirred herself II .d
then, settling back In the big cal.
sobbed aloud. Jumping down from t..c
stage, the Santa Claus tOoS her or biz
lap and tightly held her in his arms
whats the matter, little one? Don't
you see that Santa Claus has come 10
take care of youY''
Eyes. | know, dear Santa but | am
crying because | am afraid III VASE
up and find II isn't real" And the
trembling child huddled closer
But II Is real and you are not asleep
See this handkerchief filled with mon
ey for your dear sick papa. Now take
It home. and tonight be sure to hang M
your stocking, both of them, for EeN
every little boy and girl Is asleep am