Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-26


table rays of optimism He studiously
avoided mentioning, except in vague
| phrases, his predicament explaining
ly and then he would be given a desk
in the bank.
Meanwhile the youth, while waiting
! and rustling for a makeshift job, was
reduced financially.
| The days of Arling's misfortune
drifted into weeks. The want ads were
carefully scanned each morning for
possible chances, but applicants with
| local references were always given the
preference
He exchanged hard luck stories from
| time to time with other down-and-
outs. Scintillating in this class was
one Christwell. Christwell, tall, long
haired, lean jawed and with jet eyes
sunk deep beneath shaggy brows, was
shabby Thespian Of the old school.
| He struck up sharp intimacy with
Airing and cunningly drew him out.
you're trouping with fate" sighed
the old hummer at the completion of
the boys tale. "And you're playing
! the circuit of chance. The most UNI.
likely thing in the world is the pos
sibility of your placing yourself with a
bank on the strength of that one little
reference rom--er-Clemtown. You
had better take it easy until your
friend arrives"
~ was over at the 'Steenth National
today confessed the youth, and they
told me that he won't be home for a
month or more"
|
The observing eyes of the actor sum
med up the points of the tall, we'll
built Airing; his clean. keen face his
black curly hair, his gift of clear
enunciation.
IF you care to troup a bit, ! have a
| friend whom think would place you
His company is just organizing now"
Airing stared. But I am no actor, y
he answered. "I never was on the
stage in my life"
So much the better Canton, the
manager l have in mind. really prefers
to do his own educating"
/ Before the dialogue ended, it was ar
ranged that Airing was to accompany
| Christwell the next morning and apply
for the vacancy.
To the surprise of the youth, he was
promptly accepted and told to report
for rehearsal on the morning follow
ing old actor was also one of the
elect and he volunteered to keep ar
eye out for the youth and coach him il
every way possible.
Airing made progress. Remember
ing his lofty ambitions when he out
grew Clemtown, he purposely neglect
T I'D I'VE pi,o M FoI1 OF 49, III
change in his fortune. His youthful
dignity was above his job. He changed
his name to Thomas Keene.
Manager Canton, a nervous littl.
person complimented Airing on hi
quick perception of the essentia
points of histrionic art. "You do well
very we'll indeed he said.
Airing was the only inexperienced
member OF the company. All in all, i
was crnditable cast. The adven
turer from Clemtown made arrange
ments to have his mail forwarded
and his own correspondence MALE,
from the big city. This was manage
for him BY Christwel who had
friend in Brooklyn. With the return 0
his own friend from across the sea
Airing intended to come back to tn
city and accept the banking position.
The youth rested easy until a cop
of the route list was given him. Christ
well performed this service What
the matter?" he asked, glancing at tn
r lad in surprise.
Eve open at Clemtown." he gaspeC
What of it?"
"My-my people live there!"
10000" Christwell began to Sc
reasons well what's the difference
| Your name is Keene on the program
isn't it?"
. Yes, but they will recognize me-
Don't you believe it," came fro1
the veteran. "The paint will for
them"
1 Airing found consolation in tn
! thought.
The Tricks in All Trades" con
: pany arrived in Clemtown on an earl
morning train. Airing pleaded Hines
had his meals served in his room
! Happily too, Airing was able
, make muffled exit from the hostelr
/ Everything had gone along splendid
e until Airing CHANGING out into Il
crowded house, saw in the box
the right of the stage his fiancee, tt
!, dainty Daisy Hecklethorn. The stu
q ned expression on her face would i
dictate that she had recognized hir
He stumbled through the remainder
: the act, and, as consequence WI
i sharply reprimanded by the manag,
at its completion.
Stimulated by this, and encourage
| nv the Occa SiOnal Duzzled planceS fro