The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-04-08
T.HIR T'Y PER

i1lt lpulQ Acll Dy MS ilftOCChpleu
air as he sat down to the evening
mea! that he had something to tell
her She studied him in silence and
bought il would be well to let him
have his dinner first, so he would be
m a 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
hat IT was rice pudding ne could con-
tain himself no longer.
MY dear he said with faint sug-
gestion Of patronizing Il told the
boss would like to have raise a2d
he has given me an advance to $50
a week"
Thz effect was even better than he
had expected She gave little de
lighted cry and came around the table
10 throw her arms around his neck.
And wen 20 to vaudeville show to-
night" he continued. TO 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-
lore the box Office window.
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 if 81 wasn't any
thing
Il never want TO sit in the balcony
again. confessed the "Missis' as she
settled back comfortably in the or
chestra chair.
You won't have TO-" came back
Johns reply, just like that. They
we're S30-a.week people now and not
TO be COMPOUNDED 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 Office OF a
theatrical manager and an old actor.
or as the programme stated IAN actor
of the old school" came in looking for
a Job. II was pathetic at first, but
when the manager offered job to the
old Shakespearian actor in modern
melodrama at $50 a week the old man
delivered himself of the following
soliloquy:
Thirty dollars week." He
dragged one foot after the other until
he got to the footlights and looked
out under his bushy eyebrows right
into Johns face. Thirty dollars a
week." he exclaimed in horror, while
the young couple moved uneasily,
afraid tC look at one another. "Ye
gods and little fishes. what salary.
Yes, | have been called a 'has-been.
and only last night | dreamed that
had come to the end of life's play.
But to descend to this Thirty dol
| lars!" The fearful, heart-broken words
drifted out across the audience and
every one sat in profound sorrow,
nearly every one.
We'll" he said. striding back stage
and wiping the moisture from his
eyes. u 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 mans salary, but we have fal-
len on sad days" But the blow was
100 heavy for the old man, and after
trying to play for $50 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. 1T
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 It all the year round. They
only make it when they get it,"