Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-02-28

cepted the proposition gladly. Miss
Angelina. who was fond Of the younger
boys as well us the old ones. gracious
ly promised to do her best. stipulating.
however. that her part In the perform
ance should come first, as she had
something very particular to do at
home thai evening.
So it was managed. Billy made the
posters. which read something like
this:
Greatest Acts on Earth
At the Town Hall.
Wonderful Resitashions,
Phenomelous Magic,
Band Of String Instruments,
An Exciting Dual by the Orphan Twins.
Proceeds for the Benefick of the
Gym. Fund.
Miss Angelina Cunningham Courtiss.
the Star Of the East. will Sing
Unprecedented Songs. Up. E)
Admission SC. Seats &c. extra.
When asked what up. E. meant
Billy explained it was please excuse.
but it was perhaps well that he did
not tell Angie.
The boys were in a ferment OF ex-
element. and every part Of the per-
Torrance was carefully prepared. Bill
" and Ben were full Of Importance.
and every one was happy except Butts
Carleton. who was to have recited THE
Wreck Of the Hesperus." This had
been cut out to make room for Miss
Angelina. and Butts was mad as
hops" He was sensitive about 1t be.
cause he always forgot a half dozen
verses every time he recited it.
The eventful evening came. Every
thing was in readiness. except Miss
Angelina. The young stage managers
were mildly excited. but Miss Ange-
lima did not appear.
"We're sorry to keep you waiting"
explained Billy. but the star Of the
east has been delayed
probably mornin' star instead OF
an evenin STAR" said two or three OF
the audience. "Trot out something
else. boys. or We'll know the reason
why"
"Hist!' cried Ben to Billy. Il hear
Angles footsteps now. She Is coming.
and we are saved"
Billy heard the steps. too, and. turn
ing to the audience. he said:
Miss Angelina Cunningham Cour.
tiss. the celebrated songstress, the
bright star Of the east. will favor US
with her farfamed solo. Angel
Voices."
Neither Billy nor Ben heard the Win
dow at the back of the small stage
open. nor did they notice head pro-
truding through it into the room unit
the audience craned their necks to SCI
Then as they turned deafening moi
greeted them. 1t was the earsplittin.
braying of Butts CarletOn's old donke!
Cinders. whose head was framed b.
the stage window. Not only one br;
did he give. but a continuous perform.
ance with deafening rapldity. TIL,
audience screamed and covered Its
ears. Billy and Ben looked ready to
faint. and then they caught sight Of
several angry faces in the audience
and fists doubled up and shaking at
them.
rWed better get out" whispered
Billy. and in jiffy they had disap-
peared. 1t wasn't brave thing to do.
but they thought 1t the safest thing.
judging by the threatening gestures
which confronted them.
That night Billy and Ben spent
secreted in the Browns barn plan
ming how best to return the money
they had collected for tickets. D
81 tell you" said Ben. "Cinders never
brays like that except she's made to.
and the only way to make her is to
twist her tail hard. And know who's
had hold of her tall"
"Who?" asked Billy, smuggling down
In the hay.
1.-THE Wreck Of the Hesperus," an.
swered Ben.