The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-09-06
cecil OF WOODS
SnoWbonnd Nightingale
Sings BY Wire.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

day, weaving garments Of white for
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, 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, o 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 we?" asked the tall thin
manager Of the show company.
Frog Island Crossing said the
brakeman tersely. sThe roads
blocked. 9
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
hops 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! It 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 song.
TT 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 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, 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.
s But was thinking being as you peo-
pie sing, maybe you wouldn't mind
givin' some folks out In the country a
bit Of 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
Z ,Nough said, my friend" said Me
!, phisto. his eyes lighting up with the
idea: you get busy now calling up
everybody on that line. This "a
Christmas Eve-maybe there's trees
at some Of the school houses call
'em up If they have phones don't
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
connections with our country cousins;
the curtain may rise!"
When the actors arose to obey, 9
lady with chestnut curis 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
":
@He didn't can for the maids-in
waiting"
The gentle Bessy. wounded to the
quick. stepped back. the stately Mar
\ guerite sweeping by. It was mostly
before the footlights that Margne
rites injured innocence and meeknesi
giowed
After a brief discussion of the SO
iections to be given the performers
removed the lid from their melody. Al
one finished he would step from the
phone andAt following would take
his place. II was 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 it was practical
TO give over the wire there came q
"Ting-a-ling-ling-ling!"
A singer stepped to the phone.
sIa this the train where the sweat