The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-04-21
THE FULL OF THE MOON



nervousness he began his monologue
OF ancient conundrums and jokes. not
too skilfully revamped.
But far-fetched and venerable as
they were, they brought laughter and
vocfferous applause from the bolster
GUS critics In front. and Nan breat hed
easier when she saw confidence grow
Ing In the pathetic humorist upon the
stage.
His efforts were something to be
endured, not enjoyed. by person
with vestige Of culture or taste,
and she turned her head ever 30
slightly to note the effect Wpon Ben
Evans. She experienced kind OF
shock to see that he was following
the crude humor and dreadful puns
with the keenest enjoyment. and she
shame for him when she observed
that he evidenced his appreciation by
Kicking his heels against the mon
board. lmagine-well, Bob, for in
stance, kicking his heels against the
mop-board! Nan turned her head
from him abruptly. Her interest in
him and the care with which she had
dressed for the absurd entertainment
suddenly made her seem ridiculous
to herself
Whatever hopes the reception OF
the mOnologue had raised as TO the
friendliness Of the audience was
quickly dispelled by Its reception OF
the young girls vocal solo.
II was bad. indescribably bad, but
made worse by fright as she stood
before the teering crowd holding n
sheet OF music between hands which
shook with a violence that made the
music useless.
She looked only a frightened.
countrihed child as she stood on the
high platform In her frock of figured
pink calico. scarcely ankle length.
with Its ruffles Of cheap lace I'm the
elbow sleeves and n string OF glass
beads for ornament.
The boots from the rear Of the hall
grew louder az she lost the key, and
etbilant sounds from all parts stung
her nearly to tears as she tried
shri'ly for notes which. in hcr panic
she could not reach. Vet she stood
her ground with something Of a
bantam's spirit. Nan could see the
trembling Of her knees beneath her
skirts.
The howls increased, her plucky
denance seeming only to arouse fur
Their opposition and antagonism. Had
they no pity? Could they not see the
appeal In tn" child's eyes? This.
then, WIS the chivalrous West ?
Mans lips curled CONTEMPORARY and
her checks burned with angev as
clownish witticisms and coarse com
Tcnis were beloved from different
parts, OF the house.
Take that calf out to it, maw."
Them top notes sound like saw
hittin a knot
Fly away. BIRDIE"
Jaw. git off-git on"
Occasionally a protesting voice
cried:
Let the kid alone"
Nan glanced at Ben Evans. Was ne
too joining In the batting Of this
panic stricken child? Scarcely. There
was a frown OF dfsapproval upon his
face, gathering storm In his blue
eyes. Nan nearly forRave him for his
rustic pleasure in the monologue.
The rowdies concluded that more
amusement could he extracted from
that recognized form OF recreation
known as breaking up show" than
from allowing II to proceed. The up
roar became one long howl OF derision
While the child stood with her face
buried In the bend OF her elbow-the
Jefense!css target OF the storm.
The gaunt humorist strobe out with
brave semblance OF authority and
liF'ed a long. waxlikc hand over the
aud 'cnce for silence. His face showad
CHASTITY beneath its makeup, and he
looked a grotesque corpse as he
stood trying TO make himself heard
fbovc inc dir.
Just give us one moro chance?" he
, pleaded.
paroxysm Of coughing. violent.
tearing. racking his thin chest and
swelling the veins In his temples.
He's Hunger! Put him OUT" Voice
after voice took up the brutal yell OF
protest. mo lungers wanted! Get
Off. Get out" Then turnip hit
him full and hard in his sunken chest
Involuniarily Nan sprang TO her
feet. and. not knowing what she did
!. turned and faced the audience behind
her, with her eyes flashing and her
small. red mouth curved In scorn
simultaneously there came fierce
: yell Of rage so savage In Its intensity
that II rang above the tumult OF the
! rioting mob in the hall,
, cut that out! BY God. you-all cut
\ that OUT"
= Nan saw Ben Evans kicking chairs
T, out of his way and hurting aside tn,
i bystanders who blocked his path as
ne cleared an opening to the stage.
|. His hat was on. tilted to shade hi,
= eyes, and the mouth and chin which
4 showed beneath were hard and set
: one h8nd rested significantly at M
. hip and, as he yelled again. n vibrat
= ing, haunting yell. he threw back d
shoulder In swaggering gesture o.
defiance.
II "Now. you Montgomery Ward COW
I punchers. you Jim Crow miners, YOU
r. yellow back bad men from God know
Il where. IL you all want a target. tr.
.me, Take somebody OF your size
y Jest call out your names when YOU
>. throw, II you're men enough"
d lie was q picture Of reckless, per.
: sonal courage, OF consummate self
o confidence as he bounded upon the
= stage and faced the DULLES. One,
more his voice rang out with all thu
challenging savagery Of a Comanch'
n war-cry:
whats the matter with you-all
70 Fire away. Greascrs! II you got an!
= more Of that there ammunition
shoot 1t here! Don't be bashful. JuaI
u Ospino. jest because I'm lookin' "A
x you!"
j. His supporters were tumbling owe
d chairs and benches 10 reach his side
y not only ready but eager for the fray
= and they made a group too form da
be for the rowdies in the rear q
I, tackle as they stood bclIigerentI,