Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1909-06-17
THIRTY PER


meal that he had something to tell
her. She studied him in silence and
thought it would be well to let him
have his dinner first, so he would be
in better mood He gradually thawed
out under the influence of the steam.
ing dishes, and when he discovered
she even had prepared a dessert and
that it was rice pudding he could con-
tain himself no longer.
My DEAR" he said with faint sug
gestion of patronizing. 81 told the
boss | would like to have a raise and
he has given me an advance to $50
a week."
The effect was even better than he
had expected. She gave little de-
lighted cry and came around the table
to throw her arms around his neck.
And well go to vaudeville show to-
night" he continued, ito celebrate
the event"
Hurriedly they dressed for the gala
occasion, and as he stepped in his
striped trousers he felt that at last
he was on the road to success. She
also felt that she would be able to
lord 1t over a certain Mrs. Smith who
had dropped hints about her husband
earning 500 a month. At last they
had become somebodies and gradually
would let their little world know the
fact that John was earning $50 a
week.
John reached back in his trousers
pocket for his wallet, exposing a fine
display of white vest, as he stood be-
fore the box office window.
1.-TWO in the orchestra" he de-
manded, pushing forward a two-dollar
bill. The weary-looking ticket-seller
passed out two tickets in return for
his money, just as IL 81 wasn't any
thing
II never want to sit in the balcony
again." confessed the "Missis" as she
settled back comfortably in the or
n chestra chair.
Johns reply. just like that. They
were s3O-a.wssk people now and not
to be confounded with the ordinary
run Of cheaper people.
The young couple enjoyed them
selves immensely until the easels on
the sides near the proscenium boxes
announced the fact that the playlet
entitled "His Last Act" was the next
number.
The scene showed the once Of q
theatrical manager and an old actor.
or az the programme stated AN actor
of the old school," came In looking for
Job. Il was pathetic at FIRST, hat
when the manager offered \ job TO the
old Shak0speariAn actor In n modern
melodrAma at $40 q week the old mAs
delivered himself Of the following
SoliloQuy:
Thirty dollars g week. He
dragged one foot after the other untE
he got to the tootlights and looked
out under his bushy eyebrows right
into Johns face. Thirty dollars q
week." he exclaimed in horror. while
the young couple moved uneasily.
afraid to look at one another. "Ys
gods and little fishes. what q salary
Yes, l have been called a 'hEs.been,
and only last night dreamed that
had come to the end OF lifes play
But to descend to this! Thirty dol
lars!" The fearful. heart-brokeA words
drifted out across the audieGsc and
every one sat In profound sorrow
nearly every one. -...
We'll" he said. stridir6 back stage
and wiping the moisture from his
eyes, II am an old man and suppose
must accept this miserable pittance.'
At this another old actor came on
and commiserated with him. Time
was" said he, when an actor could
draw a mans salary, but we have fal
len on sad days" But the blow wal
too heavy for the old man. and after
trying to play for $40 a week he broke
down In the first performance and
died right out there under the spot
light in full sight of the audience.
Ring down; ring DOWN." called
the other, bending over the old has
been" as he sank to his knees. III
is his last act"
Silently John helped his wife on
with her caracul coat, and silently
they walked up the aisle. Not word
did he say until they were in the
car on their way home. Then he
turned to his wife and said:
you know, dear, these fellows don't
make 1t all the year round. They
only make 1t when they get It."
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