The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-06-04

stand from a man on the stage pro
si6ed they like him on"
"sir!" The little man drew him.
self up to his full height and glared
daggers at the speaker. Il have had
occasion before to complain Of an III
timed flippancy on your part. that has
no SAVIOUR Of wit and Is merely ynl-
gar, sir" he said. with crushing dig
nifty. You viii take a fortnights no.
tice. Mr. Grfsson.'
Easy, guv'nor: thought you want
ed my sympathy said Joe, unabashed.
who received notice on an average
twice q week. My mistake. But
when it comes to throwing bouquets
TO 'oneself-well. | fancy l deserve
some of the credit for the terrific
business this week. Wasn't all the
town talking about me on Tuesday
morning ?-how nearly frightened the
life out OF a professional boxing man.
simply cowed hint" with rising
self-importance in his voice. Take
It from me. that's what's drawn the
business. guv'Eor. They wanted TO
see mel"
There was a ripple OF laughter from
behind, and Joe turned sharply round,
TO see Peggy Chatterton at the wings.
They were on the stage: tire morning
rehearsal was just oeer. Peggy
laughed all the more to see the come
dams frown.
I'VE are only thankful" she cried,
mischievousiy, that there was any
Joe left to tell the ssae-it seemed SO
doubtful at one time"
Certainly the tale, as Joe now told
II, was a very much idealized version
OF an incident that had marked the
opening night n Lendal.
There had been rather q rovay ele-
nent In the theaief: q party Of noisy
sporting men drawn to the town by 4
neishboTing race meeting were among
the audience, Who from the rising OF
the curtain had disturbed the per-
formnnce, '.gring' the actors. inter
rupting the scenes with facetious com
ments--&uch IN audience rs q tlieat
rical company most OF al breads
orange. II vas when Joe was on the
| stage; and It whixzd past his head.
missing, II hy an inch.
Joe's Irritation had been steadily
mounting: this was more than flesh
and blood could stand. In his indig-
Eatisui he east prudence to the winds;
Joe jumped over the ioot1ights, his
| blood bnfEng. and made straight for
the man responsible for this browning
outrage, pushing his way among the
audience. Before the man he had sin.
gled out quite realized wfnE was hap.
penmg. almost before Joe quite re-
aIiEed It himself, the comedian had his
head in ehancery. to the immense de-
Light of the surprised audicnc.
But Jue's fires OF enthusiasm died
u,f with remarkable abruptness. For
even as he was administering q very
tmscienrinc CUT to the head he had
rhancred,- he made the appalling
discovery that It's owner VAS en-
doRed with the physique Of q profess
sional man; and apparently his only
reason Tor not making an effort TO de-
send himself was TINT be vas con-
Inlsed with laughter.
Joe had the sudden sensation as OF
cO.d water trickling down his spine.
HIS knees shook beneath him as the
man quite easily jerked himself free
from the relaxing grip.
You've done II this time, Jces. was
the unhappy comedians thought.
beads Of Precipitation breaking through
the grease paint.
No enc could have been more sur
rrised than Joe to hear the others
first words-artiealaied with difY-
Guilty. because he was laughing SO
consumodly.
We'll. I'm blowed II that doesn't
fair cop the biscuit! A chap like you
TO come and fetch mea smack on the
ear-me. Tom Ebbut, the light.
weight" And he roared again. well.
you're real good piucked 'un,
straight you are: and I'm sorry we
guyed you! Shake hands"
II haven't time TO stop and talk
just now" Joe stammered, taking the
extended brawny hand nervously.
I'm keeping the stage waiting"
After that the play had gone splen.
didly to the end. There could no,
have been a more enthusiastic audi
ence: the pugilist and his friends
gave Joe great reception every time
he appeared: and the next day the
comedian had found himself unex.
peetediy hero. BY the end OF the
week Joe vas quite ready to accent
the popular verdict as correct, and
gave himself airs on the strength
Of 1t.
He treated Peggy Chatterton,s
ircnical remark now with a dignifed
possibly because no effective
retct occurred 10 him: and he
stalked out OF the wooden theater,
with the faithful Monty. to their IA
yorite bar. where the landlord was a
crony Of theirs.
Ralph etrangways came In for 4
good deal OF discussion In that bar