The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-06-08
FOUND IN THE
PICTURES


lures, do you?' asked Laura in the
tone of one who expects the answer to
be mo-
Bet blushed She took a childish de-
light in motion pictures, but'from the
chatter about her, she gathered that II
was considered childish to sit through
the whole performance. Her cousin
Laura seemed to regard the taste for
vaudeville itself rather indicative OF
elementary development.
DO you mind?' Beth asked timidly
There's fire department pictures.
With shrug of her shoulder, her
cousin settled back in the seat as the
lights went out and the first picture
was thrown on the screen. The prop
erty man and his fellows on the stage
supplied the changing of the bells and
the screech of the whistles and to
Beth it was all very real. Then the
street with it's engines vanished from
the screen to be replaced by con
trasting picture of three firemen sit
ting in quarters engaged in game OF
cards. Their faces were large enough
to show the play of expression and the
audience shrieked at the pantomimit
humor.
But Beth had leaned forward and
was looking eagerly at the screen.
Laura tugged at her skirt but the girl
did not realize it, There upon the
screen was Thad Burnham. She was
sure Of it. The picture changed again
and she sank back into her seat quiv-
ering in every muscle.
Rapidly she explained to Laura
how his letters had stopped and his
mother could find no trace OF him.
His mothers heart is breaking for
him." she declared. Il must find him
and tell him to write home
She left her seat and with trembling
limbs started up the aisle, Laura fol
lowing her country cousin curiously
An usher directed her to the balcony
where the machine was operated. and
she waited until the operator had fin
ished.
He could give her little information
other than to furnish her with the ad-
dress Of the firm which had taken the
pictures. She could scarcely wait un-
til the next morning to continue her
search, and she started Immediately
after breakfast with a male cousin as
an esccrt.
The manager was courteous and
seemed to take an interest in her
quest. The pictures had been made in
town, he explained, and he gave her
the number and address of the engine
company. 1t was far uptown but she
could not rest and in short time she
stood in front Of the tiny desk beside
the glittering engine.
rs Mr. Burnham a fireman here?
she asked with trembling voice.
Tommy Burnham is with seven
truck" he explained.
Il am looking for Thadwick Burn
ham," she explained. He was photo
graphed here for some motion pic
lures"
: "Wickes. Roe and Casey posed fol
that picture he declared. You mean
this?"
He took down from the wall small
framed photograph, evidently an en-
largement of the picture film
That's Thad.' she cried. I'm sure
of it,"
Call Roe down." commanded
voice behind her. The fireman sprans
to salute and Beth turned to face
kindly faced man with gold instead
- Ill L,,t
; on his cap front.
STAND where you will be in tn,
, light" directed the newcomer, as h
stepped into the background. Wonder
, ingly she obeyed his directions as il
answer to the call a man came slidin,
down the brass pole.
Before she could speak he ha,
turned around and came toward her
Hello, Beth" he cried. Where dit
: you come from?"
l What is your name?' demanded tn,
? battalion chief. lnstinctively the man
5 hand went to salute, and he gave
: puzzled laugh.
d IT'S Burnham," he said, yet
+ know I'm called Roe. What's the mat
ter?'
You remember the Jane street fir
: in the shop where you worked?" sug
= gested the chief Thad nodded. Blu
you forget that in jumping to the ne
< you fell short and struck on you
t head. When you came out of the hos
a pital, you had forgotten whom yo
were"
Il remember now" Thad exclaimed
The boys were interested in me an
. kept me going until could get in tn
department You gave me Richar
S Roe for name eh?"
o. Il saw you in the picture at tn
l. theater," Beth explained. 81 knev
j. 1t was you"
|. (Which Is more than l did," h
~ laughed. I've been some one else 70
: nearly a year now. Is mother"
Beth nodded as his voice falteret
= "She is alive" she assured, but yer
\ lonesome She thinks your are dead.
It The chief stepped forward. I'm g