The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-09-20
CECIL OF WcOnS"
\, Snowbonnd Nightingale
Sings by Wire.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

the undulating earth. As twilight
came on the little train. in spite OF
the tremendous putting Of its engine,
settled down to walk. Men Of the
crew rushed backward and forward
through the aisles, looking anxious.
The country seemed wilderness;
deep ravines, dense forests, frowning
cliffs and rugged mountains.
The lamps were lighted and "The
Faust Opera" troupers 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, most
distressing thing after the eagerly
looked-for reunion with the folks at
home. So they tried to sing the blues
away. But 1t 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 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 pillow and
men; relief was far away.
1t 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 we're 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! 1t was 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 minute?"
The unexpected remark came from
the farmer who had come in with the
food, and was waiting to take sthe
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, or
| thought they did, what he wanted,
and began reaching into their peck
cts. The farmer shook his head.
"'Tain't that" he said; you're well
come to the grub; glad you liked 1t.
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 all
their lives-there's sick people on
/ that line that"
Enough said, my friend" said Me-
phisto, his eyes lighting up with the
idea; you get busy now calling up
everybody on that line. This Is
Christmas Eve-maybe there's trees
at some Of the school houses
'em up If they have phones-don' I
leave anybody out" Then turning to
the actors: "All you sweet singers OF
Is-er-Michigan walk up to the end
of the car. Now, ladies and gentle
men, our good farmer friend has made
| come ctions with our country cousins;
| the curtain may rise!"
When the actors arose to obey, q
| lady with chestnut curls and blue
eyes. who took the rather incense
quential part of Bessy, started to join
them. Marguerite Of the sun-kissed
hair observed Bessy, and said, sweet
ly:'
HE didn't call for the maids-in-
waiting"
The gentle Bessy, wounded to the
quick, stepped back, the stately Mar
| guerite sweeping by. 1t was mostly
before the footlights that Margue
rites injured innocence and meekness
glowed.
After brief discussion Of the Sc
| lections to be given the performers
| removed the lid from their melody. AS
one finished he would step from the
| phone and the following would take
his place. It was fine performance,
as all were old, experienced singers,
and each did his level best.
When the singers had finished as
much of the piece as 1t was practical
to give over the wire there came
'.Ting-a-ling-ling-ling!"
A singer stepped to the phone.
~Is this the train where the sweet
| music comes from?" asked a girlish
voice.
"Yes-this is the Faust Concert
| company you have been listening to.
| ssI think II is perfectly lovely"