Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-02-20

NulCu Is Tue cACiuSlFS pIopSlly VI
him of whom we spoke to you when
we went through the memorandum.
! book with you Tor the last time. See
Clause SO, final paragraph.
Accept, gentlemen, etc"
."Oh, those fellows are beginning to
annoy mel" shouted Firmin Richard,
snatching up the letter.
And that evening Box Eve was sold.
The next morning, NM. Richard and
Moncharmin, on reaching their office,
found an inspectors report relating to
an incident that had happened, the
night before, in Box Five ] give the
essential part of the report:
II was obliged to call in a mu-
nicipal guard twice, this evening, to
clear Box Five on the grand tier, once
at the beginning and once in the mid
die Of the second act. The occupants,
who arrived as the curtain rose on the
second act, created regular scandal
by their laughter and their ridiculous
observations There were cries OF
'Hush!' all around them and the whole
house was beginning to protest, when
the box-keeper came to fetch me. l
entered the box. and said what
thought necessary. The people did
not seem to me to be in their right
mind; and they made stupid remarks.
I said that, II the noise was repeated,
should be compelled to clear the
box. The moment l left l heard the
&c
from the house. returned with a
municipal guard, who turned them
out. They protested, still laughing,
saying they would not go unless they
had their money back. At last they
became quiet and allowed them to
enter the box again. The laughter at
once recommended; and, this time,
had them turned out definitely"
Send for the inspector" said Rich
ard to his secretary. who had already
read the report and marked it with
blue pencil.
NJ Remy. the secretary, had fore
seen the order and called the insrec.
tor at once.
Tell us what happened" said Rich.
ard bluntly.
The inspector began to splitter and
referred to the report.
well, but what We're those people
laughing att" asked Moncharmin.
"They must have been dining, sir,
and seemed more inclined to lark
about than to listen to good music.
The moment they entered the box
they came out again and called the
box-keeper, who asked them what
they wanted. They said, Look in the
box: there's no one there, is there?'
No. said the woman. Well said
they, when we went in, We heard a
voice saying that the box was tax.
en-"
NJ. Moncharmin could not help smil-
ing as he looked at M. Richard; but
NJ. Richard did not smile. He HIM
self had done too much In that way
in his time not to recognize. in the
inspectors story, all the marks of one
of those practical jokes which begin
by amusing and end by engaging the
victims. The inspector, to curry favor
with NJ Moncharpir. who was smil.
ling, thought 1t best to give smile
too A most unfortunate smile! M.
Richard glared at his subordinate,
who thenceforth made 1t his business
to display face OF utter consterna.
ton,
However, when the people arrived"
rOared Richard, there was no one in
the box, was there?"
mot a soul. sir. not soul! Nor
in the box on the right, nor In the
box on the left; not soul. sir, I
swear! The box-keeper told it to me
often enough, which proves that it
was all a joke"
"Oh, you agree, do you?" said Rich
ard. You agree! It's joke! And
you think 1t funny. no doubt?'
81 think 1t is very bad taste, sir"
And what did the box-keeper say?"
"Oh, she just said that 1t was the
opera ghost. That's all she said!"
And the inspector grinned. But he
soon found that he had made a mis-
take In grinning, for the words had
no sooner left his mouth than NJ. Rich
ard, from gloomy, became furious
Send for the box-keeper!" he shout
ed. Send for her! This minute!
This minute! And bring her in to me
here! And turn all those people out!"
The inspector tried to protest, but
Richard closed his mouth with an an
cry order to hold bis tongue. Then.
when the wretched mans lips seemed
shut for ever, the manager command
ed him to open them once more.
Who Is this opera ghost?' he
snarled.
But the inspector was by this time
incapable of speaking a word. lie
managed to convey, by despairing
gesture. that he knew nothing about
it, or rather that he did not wish to
know.
Have you ever seen him; have you
seen the opera ghost?'
The inspector, by means of a Wig
orous shake of the head, denied ever
having seen the ghost in question.
Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Richard cold
ly.
The inspectors eyes started out OF
his head, as though to ask why the
manager had uttered that ominous
VERY WE'LL"
Because I'm going to settle the &C.
count of any one who has not seen
him!" explained the manager. LAS
he seems to be everywhere, l can't
have people telling me that they see
him nowhere. like people to work
for me when | employ them"