The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-04-22

cart. sir replied the man. possessing
himself dexterously of sluggage
and leading the way across the plat
form. Berton followed A boy of six
teen or so was endeavoring to calm a
mettlesome cob that was trying to see
how straight he could stand on his
hind legs without falling over back
ward
'Chuck those things in behind
Burns. and get to his head" he or
dered. How de do. Mr.. Benton! Elk.
cuse my not shaking hands and climb
in.''
Benton waited for moment of com
paratiye quiet and then climbed in.
He was not accustomed to a horse like
this, and the boy noticed it at once.
He hasn't been out for a week." he
explained. land he feels good Let him
go, Burns" And. with a plunge. they
started. the we'll trained Burns clutch
ing the rail and swinging up behind
with the greatest imperturbability
Once on the straight road leading from
the station the cob settled down to
good steady gait, and Benton began tc
enjoy himself. Young Van Cleave was
surprisingly easy for one of his years
and kept up a constant flow of talk.
That's corking good play of yours,
Mr.. Benton" he said. Pm going to be
James, and I'm dead letter perfect
Got my clothes last night. and Aunt
Fan thought l. was the new man and
asked me to get her glass of water
Say, can't James come on in the last
act with a letter or something's
Benton good humoredly said that he
thought it might be arranged and in.
CURED who was TO play Henry.
ooh, Artie Brown and he thinks he's
the whole show. Wanted to kiss sis
every rehearsal. Said he didn't want
it to go wrong the night of the play.
Sis couldn't see it and said she
thought that was something a man OF
his experience could do without re.
hearsing. Rough on Artie. for he
knows it all and likes to have people
think he's a regular killer Whoa.
boy! Easy now" to the cob as they
turned into private roadway and
whirled up to the steps of a fine old
colonial house
The groom was at the cob's head be-
fore they really stopped, and Benton
climbed down and followed young Van
Cleave into the house Mrs. Van
Cleave welcomed him cordially and in
troduced him to her daughter and the
members of the house party, some of
whom We're to take part in the play
Miss Van Cleave showed him the mu-
sic room. where the performance was
to be held. and exhibited the stage.
which was already set for the first act.
do you not feel very important"
she asked. when you consider that
you are really responsible for it ALP
"No." said Benton. 81 cannot say
that | do. After all. the real response
bility rests with the players"
You cannot shirk your share so
carelessly," she said. laughing stand
or fall, you are one of us in this, and
l shall see that you receive your full
measure of praise or blame"
LET US hope, then. that it will be
praise-for all our sakes,' he said. With
an admiring look at her.
Seriously" said Miss Van Cleave,
IT do hope you will not be disappolnt-
ed in US, and you must not be too
critical"
Il shall not be disappointed in you,"
he replied decidedly.
While Benton was dressing for din
ner some one knocked at his door
ITS me-Jack. Can | come in?"
said that ungrammatical young man
in an excited tone of voice
Benton opened the door and inquired
what the trouble was
Here's a gor' said Jack. "Artie
Brown has busted his leg or some
thing and can't act. Sis is having
ft. and the others are just wild. It's
too late to put it off. and what are we
going to do?"
us there no one else to take the part
mo understudy?" inquired Eerton.
mo one knows it except the prompt
er, and she's girl. Father has just
come in. and he's tearing his hair. He
plays the old man, you know. Got
bald wig and whiskers, and he'll die if
he can't wear 'em. Say, what can we
do about it anyhow"
Another knock at the door, and Mr.
Van Cleave. ST., appeared.
Pardon me. Mr. Benton. for intro
ducing myself in this unceremonious
manner" he said. shaking hands, '.but
this is serious matter The tickets,
have been sold, and it is too late for
any postponement. My daughter has
suggested that possibly you are suffi-
GENTLY familiar with the lines to take
the part, or. failing that, to read it. 1t
is asking good deal. know, but If
you could possibly do it it would be
great relief to all of US, besides helping
us out of very embarrassing predica-
ment."
Benton's head whirled. 1t was an
unexpected role that he found himself
called upon to play. 1t is one thing to
watch others act and quite another to