The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-12-19

AMI sill he chIid slept on.


Suddenly there was an ominous hush
as Manager stardcraft strobe upon the
stage. shaking snow from his fur lined
coat aod shining silk bat. His keen
eyes pierced the darkness toward the
boxes. probably in an effort to detect
any CT 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 ether in, anyway. Going
10 the little: sleeIier. Pete deftly took
the envelope from the. lattehand which
still clasped. It. however loosely: The.
great man finpatientiy tore open the,
note, gaye9-it a swift glance, crnnched
it and, throwing it among the foot
lights. gave: a pull: at bis cigar and
strobe hurriedly: into the street. The
company crowded forward to view the
comedian of the Organization. picked
up the note, sstraightened out IFS 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 l write to ask II you
cannot send me few dollars to be paid
back as soon as my husband is able to
work again. 1 have used all the money
he has saved for the doctors bill and to
purchase medicine and our necessities
We llavc. not had q cent in the house for
40 nd pnf only . rA w
little daughter and rlyself-in need OF
food, but fear that If cannot renew the
prescriptions for the medicine the doc
tor has ordered Mr.. Granger will have
o relapse. | dislike very much to ask
this favor OF yoa. but our condition Is be-
conr3ag desperate. You WiA be doing an
act Of Ieindne ss vie shall never forget II
you will send Something to aid us in our
prediea nlent. and may God bless you for
It. Respectfully HELEN GRANGER.
. Se1ue one put his hand 6eep, into his
+ pocket and .brougia1 up a piece Of
money, and then without a word there
: was tinlsling Of 'diihes, Quarters and
halves as tiae:S cfeP.'asi into the hat Of
the fat and: rosy little eomedfan. The:
Collection vas tied sIp in q hapdker-,
chief aud ,ioiselessl5: placed into the
:klp Of the sleeping child? g.
But that was mot all. A happy:
thought came to the. oepledian, now as
serious as "a Hamlet From.. q roll Of
hloneE lie whipped II twenty dollar bill
Iii (, verT few minutes: the property
nhsn and bis assistant had placed on
the sage il, front OF TIE Sleeping girl
Il nike green Christmas tsee, purchased
Wifh5.ls l.Iueao ado from the yelider on
the :ceeaes, Others had hunrfediy
Drought little red, white and blue can
dies. strings Of paPcorn, tinsel and
candy heastss which were quickly at
taeheti e, the EougaSa OF the cedar.
Willie this Nas going eli Tony was CIV
ing 'er.ters in rapid succession, as fol-
logs: 49,.
'sQuieIS, there. Jennie: bring that big
CCsspk '5taat with the fur all around
+ TIE edges Bin, RIM ful' those boots.
Hurry. noyE. Somebody get me an old
n..sns l., long white hair. mind you,
and !: beard There that's just the
| thing. Here. you all stand back in he
shadow. Now, girls, sing softly the
music that goes. with the entrance Of
| the queens barge in the starlight.
! That; it--just q little softer!'
The sound Of celestial music filled
| the place II WAS dark save where the
! twinkling lights OF the Christmas tree
! ii!;;t.. in;>,,a-; loe figure o. the merry
| Santa Clt.ls, etanttiny alongside, with
! his knit face turned toward the
| slowly awakening child She opened
| her eyes, ;,iin:el them again from the
| light sat straight. rubbed her eyes
| with her tia i:>ss. stirred herself and
then. settling back il the big chair,
| sobbed aloud Jumping down from the
| stag the Santa Claus took her on his
lap and tightly Eel! her in his arms.
! whats the matter. little one? Don't
] YOU see tai Santa CLAUS has come to
( take care o! you;'
| res. | know. dear Santa, but an
! crying because l am afraid I'll wake
| up ana lind it isn't real And the
| trembling child huddled closer.
| But it is real, and you are not asleep
| See this handkerchief flied with mon
ey for your dear sick papa. Now take
it home and tonight be sure to hang uI
! your stocking, both OF them. for whel
| every little boy and girl is asleep l an
going to rlai1e my rounds, and l am
not going to forget ou."-Atlanta Cor
| Stitution.