The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-02-04


softly padded chair. Her red tam had
slipped off. and her hair was loosely
massed in ringlets about her face anG
neck. In q few minutes the stage
manager abruptly stopped the evolu
lions and singing to announce that an
hour would be given for something IL
eat. So there followed hurrying to
nearby cafes and lunch places, and the
big theater was left dark and silent
where only few moments previous
had resounded the voices Of chorus, the
shutting and patter of feet and the
shouts of the excited director. After
awhile, ono by one and in pairs and
more. the company began to assem-.
BILE again. There was still a 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 hum to resound throughout
the big auditorium.
And still the child slept on.
Suddenly there was On omlnous hush
as Manager Hardcra.t 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.
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 toe I;
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
it 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-I beg indulgence for thus in
truding upon your time and patience. II
Is with reluctance i write TO ask II you
cannot send me a few dollars to be paid
back as soon IS my husband is able TO
work again. ! have used all the money
he has saved for the doctors bin and TO
purchase medicine and our necessities
We have not had a cent In the house for
two days now. and not only ere we-my
little daughter and myseIf-in need OF
food. but fear that IL cannot renew the
for the medicine the doc
tor has ordered Mr.. Granger win have
a relapse. / dislike very much TO ask
this favor OF you, but our condition is be-
desperate. You viii be doing an
act Of kindness We shall never forget n
you viii send something 10 aid US In our
predicament. and may God bless you for
Il Respectfully. HELEN GRANGER
Some one put his hand deep into his
pocket and brought up piece Of
and then without a word there
was a tinkling Of dimes. quarters and
halves as they dropped into the hat of
the fat and rosy little comedian. The
was tied up In a handker.
chief and noiselessiy placed into the
ap Of the sleeping child.
But that was not all. A happy
thought came TO the comedian. now as
serious as a Hamlet. From a roll Of
money he whipped a 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
4 nice green Christmas tree. purchased
without much ado from the vender on
The corner. Others had hurriedly
brought little red, white and blue can.
lies. strings of popcorn, tiHsel and
ANDY hearts. which were quickly at.
;ached to the bOIghs Of the cedar
While this was going ON Tony was civ
Iag orders in rapid succession. as fol. |
lows:
"cuick. there. Jennie; bring that BIZ
rossack coat with the fur all around |
lac edges. Bill. run for those bO01i.
Harry. now. Somebody get me an old |
,@an's wig. long white hair mind you.
and a beard. There. that's j;ist the |
thing. Here. you all stand back In Tie |
shadow. Now. girls. sing softly the
music that goes with the entrance u |
tho queens barge In the starlight. |
That's it-just little sofier!''
The gouni Of celestial music filled
the place. II was dark save where the |
Iwinsllng lights Of the Christmas tree
the figure Of tine merry |
santa Claus standing alongside. with |
bis kindly face turned toward the
.l0wly awakening child. She opened |
Der eyes. bIinked them again from tie
light, sat straight. rubbed her eyes !
with her tiny fists. stirred herself and
hen. settling back in the big chair. |
'obled aloud. Jumping down from tie
stage. the Santa Claus took her on bis /
up and tightly held her In his arms.
WHATS the matter. little one! Don't
ron zee that Santa Claus has come 30
tdsc care Of your
les. I know. dear santn. but ain
.rylng because ! am afraid I'll wake
Ip aud find IL isn't real" And the
trembling child huddIed closer.
"But II IL real. and you are not asleep.
Zee this handkerchief flied with mon.
~ for your dear sick papa. Now take
L home. aud tonight he sure TO hang up
-FOUR siockiug. both Of them. fur when |