Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-23

porous appearance of the place and the
many handsome traps and carriages
awaiting their occupants. A groom in
surprisingly tight breaches came up tic
him and. touching his hat, inquired
"Mr. Benton?"
EYES," said Benton. Mrs. Van
Cleave's carriage?"
Master Harry awaits you in the dog.
cart. sir" replied the man, POSSESSING
himself ~dexterously of Benton'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 sec
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 a moment of com
parative quiet and then climbed in.
He was not accustomed to a horse like
this, and the boy noticed it at n
"He hasn't been out for a week." he
explained, "and 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 a
good steady gait, and Benton began to
enjoy himself. Young Van Cleave was
surprisingly easy for one of his years
and kept up a constant flow of talk.
That's a corking good play of yours,
MI. Benton" he said. "I'm 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 a 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
quired who was 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
1t 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 a private roadway and
whirled up to the steps of a fine old
colonial house.
h 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 all?'
NO." said Benton. 81 cannot say
that 1 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,
II do hope you will not be disappoint.
ed in us. and you must not be too
critical"
II shall not be disappointed in you,''
he replied decidedly.
While Benton was dressing for din.
ner some one knocked at his door.
tits me-Jack. Can l come imp
said that ungrammatical young man
in al excited tone of voice.
Benton opened the door and inquired
what the trouble was.
Here's Il gov' said Jack. "Artie
Brown has busted his leg or some
thing and can't act. Sis is having a
fit, and the others are just wild. It's
too late to put it off. and what are WI
going to do?"
els there no one else to take the part
no understudy?" inquired Benton.
mo n 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 8
bald wig and whiskers, and he'll die II
be can't wear 'em. Say. what can we
10 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, "bu1
this is a serious matter. The tickets
have been sold. and it is too late fol
any p-ostponement. My daughter has
suggested that possibly you are suffi
GENTLY familiar with the lines to take
the part, or. failing that, to read 1t. L
Is asking a good deal. l know, but II
you could possibly do 1t it would be
great relief to all Of us, besides helping