Mexico Missouri message., 1912-09-05
CECIL OF WOODS"
A Snowbonnd Nightingale
Sings by Wire.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

The snow had fallen steadily all the
day, weaving garments of white for
the undulating earth. AS twilight
came on the little train, in spite Of
the tremendous putting of it's engine.
settled down to a walk. Men of the
crew rushed backward and forward
through the aisles. looking anxious.
The country seemed n wilderness;
deep ravines, dense forests, frowning
cliffs and rugged mountains.
The lamps were lighted and The
Faust Opera" troopers in the rear
coach began to sing All day their
spirits had fallen with the snow. A
failure TO reach the junction meant
Christmas Day in the wilds, n most
distressing thing after the eagerly
| looked.for reunion with the folks at
home. SO they tried to sing the blues
away But IT was no use The songs
died mournfully. Suddenly the en-
CINE stopped. A brakeman, lantern in
hand, entered from the rear.
Where are WEI" asked the tall thin
manager Of the show company.
Frog Island Crossing said the
brakeman tersely The roads
blocked"
Idly they watched the brakeman
and another man working outside
with a line to connect the telephone
wire with an instrument in the car.
This meant they were going to call up
the nearest telegraph Office so the
man there might notify the superin-
tendent to send the snow plow and
men, relief was far away.
It was ascertained that the nearest
help was seventy miles down the line,
and that the snow-plows could hardly
hope to reach the train before morn
ing. AS It was still showing heavily
even this calculation might be overly
optimistic.
The conductor found farm house,
and returned with baskets of deli
cious turkey, chicken, light bread and
preserves. There were tankards of
coffee, and cans of real cream. How
the old world troubles fell under the
gracious influence of that homely
country fare foraged out Of the storm.
And how the actors ate! II was a re-
past unsurpassed along the length
and breadth Of the Great White Way.
Song birds chatted and laughed with
farmers and country merchants
They snapped yarns, cracked jokes
and became jolly good fellows all.
Finally, their hunger appeared, Me-
phisto and Marguerite arose and
started a Song.
"If you people don't mind my but
tin in. would you jist wait a minute?'
The unexpected remark came from
the farmer who had come in with the
food and was waiting to take the
empty baskets back over the white
hills. He had been standing at the
end of the car, deferentially waiting
for his guests to get through. The
travellers instantly OWNED OF
thought they did, what he wanted
and began reaching into their peck
cts. The farmer shook his head.
'Taint that" he said; you're vel
come to the grub; glad you liked it.
But l was thinking being as you peo
pie sing, maybe you wouldn't mind
givin' some folks out in the country a
bit of a treat. Thar's people connect
ed with this telephone in the car, here
what never saw a real show in al
their lives-there's sick people or
that line that"
'Nough said, my friend" said Me
phisto, his eyes lighting up with the
idea; you get busy now calling VI
everybody on that line. This &.
Christmas Eve-maybe there's trees
at some Of the school houses-cal
EN- up If they have phones-don'
leave anybody out" Then turning e
the actors: IAN you sweet singers o.
ls-er-Michigan walk up TO the enc
of the car. Now, ladies and gentle
men, our good farmer friend has made
connections with our country cousins
the curtain may rise!"
When the actors arose to obey,
lady with chestnut curls and blu,
eyes, who took the rather incense
quential part of Bessy, started to joii
them. Marguerite OF the sun-kisseC
hair observed Bessy, and said, sweet
ly:
He didn't call for the maids-in
waiting"
The gentle Bessy, wounded to tn,
quick, stepped back, the stately Mar
guerite sweeping by. 1t was mostl.
before the footlights that Margue
rites injured innocence and meeknes
glowed
After a brief discussion OF the Sc
lections to be given the performer
removed the lid from their melody. Al
one finished he would step from tn,
phone and the following would TAX,
his place. 1t was a fine performance
as all were old. experienced singers
and each did his level best.
When the singers had finished a.
much of the piece as 1t was practica
to give over the wire there came
"Ting-a-ling- ling-ling!"
A singer stepped 20 the phone.
rs this the train where the swee
music comes FROM" asked a girlisl
voice.