Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-03-13

inspectors story, all the marks Of OFT
OF those practical jokes which begin
by amusing and end by engaging ths
victims. The inspector, to curry favor
with ID Moncharmin, who was smfi-
ing, thought 1t best to give a smile
too. most unfortunate smileI nj.
Richard glared at his subordinate.
who thenceforth made it his business
TO display a face Of utter consterla
ioa.
However, when the people arrived"
roared Richard, there was no one In
the box, was there?"
Not a soul, sir, not a soul, Nor
in the box on the right, nor in the
box on the left; not soul, sir.
swear! The box-keeper told it to me
often enough, which proves that 1t
was all a joke
oh, you agree. do your" said Rich
ard. You agree! It's a joke And
you think it funny, no doubt?"
4 think 1t is very bad taste, sir
And what did the box-keeper sayz"
"Oh. she just said that it was the
opera ghost That's all she said!''
And the inspector grinned. But be
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-keeperi" he shout
ed. Send for her! This minute!
This minute! And bring her In to me
herei And turn all those people out!"
The inspector tried to protest, but
Richard closed his mouth with an an
cry order to hold his 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
snarIed
But the inspector was by this time
incapable of speaking a word. He
managed to convey, by a 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 IL question.
Very Well" 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 heG not seen
him!" explained the manager. AS
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!"
Having said this, M. Richard paid
no attention to the inspector and dis
cussed various matters OF business
with his acting manager, who had en-
tered the room meanwhile. The In
spector thought he could go and was
gently-oh, so gently!-sidling to
ward the door, when M. Richard
nailed the man to the floor with 3
laundering:
stay Wnere you are!
M. Remy had sent for the box-keep
er to the Rue de Provence, close to
the opera. where she was engaged as
a porteress She soon made her ap
pearance.
What's your name?"
Name CRY. You know me well
enough, sir; I'm the mother OF little
CRY, little Meg, what"
This was said in so rough and sol
emn a tone that, for moment. M
Richard was impressed. He looked at
Name CRY, in her faded shawl, her
worn shoes, her old tafreta dress and
dfngy bonnet. It was quite evident
from the managers attitude, that be
either did not know or could not re-
member having met Name CRY, nor
even little GIry nor even little Meg!"
But Name Giry's pride was so great
that the celebrated box-keeper i'm
agined that everybody knew her
(TO BE CONTfNUED)