Evening star., 1909-05-23

Charles cue to stagger on the stage. after
having supposedly fallen on his sword, and die
IN Cleopatra's arms.
kephran rushed on and shouted, The
Sheriffs have surrounded the ticket wagon!
Send for Buckley and call in the freaks!'
cried Cleopatra in loud voice.
Charlie staggered on with his bloody sword in
his hand and fell into Cleopatra's arms. It's
all over Cleol" he said. shaking with laughter
We take the pork train for Chicago to-mor-
row !"
The curtain came down the last perform
ance of The Great Hippodrome and Dramatic
Combination
TIL Z company found themselves stranded IN
Red Wing Charlie and Miss Richland
found a cheap hotel and she wired to Chicago
for money and, receiving it, took the night
train The circus people found hacker,
bought the sideshow tent. and started out with
little circus on the commonwealth plan: Most
of the Others managed to get to st Paul or
Minnea polls where they had relatives or friends
And Charlie found himself alone, four hundred
miles from Chicago, with twenty-five cents IN
his pocket. after deduCt1ng the amount due the
hotel for two days board
His pride would not permit him to appeal to
his friends for ard but he soon realized that he
could not remain in Red Wing without funds,
and that something must be done
A scheme that had been worked by friend of
his, who had been connected with several ny by
night companies, came into his mind. At hTst
he would not consider it. but, as the day wore
on and nothing more feasible suggested itself,
he resolved to accept the desperate remedy tor
the desperate situation.
The Mavor of Red Wing sat in his office,
reading the account of the closing of The
Great Hippodrome and Dramatic Combma-
ton" Come in" he said, in answer to
knock at the door What can do for you:
he asked Charle.-for it was he,-who entered
timidly.
That's what l came to find out" Charlie
replied with weak attempt at smile. l. m
up against it. your Honor I'm broke, and
want to get to Chicago"
The Mayor looked at him through his glasses.
with an inscrutable expression that made Char
lie wish he had not come 1t you will sign an
affidavit that you are a pauper, and likely to
become charge upon the city, can help you,
he said.
Great heavens Is that the only way?"
Charlie asked as he rose to his feet in confusion
and turned toward the door.
Wait said the Mayor :" | know all about
your trouble, and Id like to help you, Now.
den be foolish. No one will know of this but
you and me-and it's long walk to Chicago,
he added with a grim smile.
Charlie stood at the door and battled with his
pride. The Mayor sat down and began to fill
cut a paper When he had finished he held the
pen out to Charlie without word and the lat
ter after moments hesitation. signed his
name The Mayor then gave him note to the
Chief of Police, and Charlie stammered his
thanks and started for the police station.
walk the Mayor said to himself, when Charlie
had closed the door behind him
The Chief of Police countersigned the May
sr's note and sent Charlie, in charge OF police
nan, to the railway agent. The agent issued
special ticket, which the policeman took charge
Of telling Charlie that he would meet him at
the depot in time for the Chicago train
A FTER sending his trunk down, Charlie re-
paired to the station where the policeman
checked the trunk for him. The ticket was not
given to him, however, until the conductor
called IAN aboard" The policeman then
pushed him the train and Charlie breathing
a sigh of relief, took his seat in the day coach
Travelling MANI" asked the affable drum
mer who shared the seat with him
No; | am an actor" Charlie began to get
his courage back as the train moved out of the
fatal town of Red Wing He felt safe in making
a bluff now and resolved to make good one
while he was about it
Glad to meet an actor" said the drummer
Comedy or tragedy
Il am tragedian," Charlie replied. expand
ing his chest and trying to look the part
Indeed How interesting What parts do
you p!ay!"
Il have just closed my tour in Antony and
Cleopatra Antony IS of my favorite
roles: but like Brutus, Othello, and the ro-
bust Shakespearean parts. think shall add
Othello to my repertory when 60 to London !"
Tickets.' called out the conductor as he
entered the front door of the
As the clip-clip-clip of the conductors punch