The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-06-04

ct'Vu upon luc lidlltt H. ne lOuktu
about him. noting the we'll kept. pros
porous appearance of the place and the
many handsome traps and carria ges
awaiting their occupants. groom in
surprisingly tight brooches came up 10
him and. touching his hat. inquired
M Benton?"
Yes" said Benton. Mrs. Van
Cleaye's carriage?"
Master Harry awaits YOU in the dog
cart, sir" replied the man, possessing
himself dcXterously of Bcnton's luggage
and leading the way across the plat
form. Benton followed \ boy of six
teen or so was endcavoring to calm
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? Ex-
cUSe my not shaking hands and climb
in"
Benton waited for a 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
lie hasn't been out for a week" he
explained, and he feels good. Let him
90, Burns" And. with plunge. they
started, the we'll trained Burns clutch
ing the rail and swinging up behind
with tie greatest impcrturbability.
Once on the straight road leading from
the station the cob settled down to a
good steady gait. and Benton began to
enjoy himself. Young Van Cleave was
surprisingly easy Cor one of his years
and kept up a constant flow of talk.
That's a corking good play of yours.
Mr. Benton" he said. I'm going to be
James, and I'm dead letter perfect.
Got my clothes last night. aud Aunt
Fan thought ! was the new man and
asked me to get her a glass of water.
Say, can't James come on in the last
act with letter or something's"
Benton good humorcdly said that he
thought it might be arranged and in
quircd who WIS TO play Henry.
"Oh. 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-
hCarsinG Rough on Artie. for he
knows it all and likes to have people
think he's regular killer Whoa.
boy. Easy now" to the cob as they
turned into a private roadway and
whirled up to the steps of 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
Cleavc into the house. Mrs. Van
Cleaye welcomed him cordially and in
troduccd 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 all?"
NO. said Benton. Il cannot say
that do. After all, the real RESPONSE
bility rests with the players"
You cannot shirk your share 50
carelessly," she said, laughing stand
or fall, you are one of us in this, and
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
"SeriousIy," said Miss Van Cleave.
Il do hope you will not be disappont,
ed in us, and you must not be too
critical"
Il shall not be disappointed i'll you, p"
he replied decidedly.
While Benton was dressing for din
ner some one knocked at his door
It's me-Jack Can | come in?"
said that ungrammaticaI young man
in an excited tone Of voice.
Benton opened the door and inquired
what the trouble was
Heres go" said Jack. "Artie
Brown has busted his leg or some
thing and can't act Sis is having Il
fit. and the others are just wild. It's
too late to put it off, and what are we
going to do?'
SIS there no one else to take the part
no understudy:" inquired Benton.
NO one knows it except the prompt
er, and she's a girl. Father has just
come in, and he's tearing his hair He
plays the old man. you know. Got Il
bald wig and whiskers, and he'll die if
he can't wear EN-. Say, what can we
do about it anyhow"
Another knock at the door. and Mr.
Van Cleave. Sr., appeared.
Pardon me. Mr.. Benton. for intro
ducing myself in this unceremonious
manner" he said. shaking hands. but
this is a serious matter. The tickets
have been sold, and it is too late for
any postponement My daughter has
suggested that possibly you are sufii-
GENTLY familiar with the lines to take
the part. or. failing that, to read it, 1t
is asking Il good deal. know. but if
you could possibly do it it would be a
great relief to all of u.s. besides helping
us out of very embarrassing predica-
nnpt