The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-04-22
Miss Hitty's
Discovery
A Story.of the "Movies"
Nv CLARISSA MACkIE

. 0 . . . . . . . . sss 0 . =
In the village of Edgewood were
many straitlaced persons. To Visit
that town and become acquainted with
the inhabitants was like going back a
century, when the theater, playing
cards and all manner of amuSementS
were considered wicked. There is
story Of a man who paved the way for
the enjoyment of the game of billiards
in the God fearing town of Phlladel-
phia during the early part of the last
century. He said that marbles were
not considered wicked-why billiards
Marbles were stone, while billiard
balls were ivory. Marbles were shot
{. by the hand. billiard balls by stick.
:. Marbles were played on the sidewalk
out Of doors. while billiards were play
ed on a level bed in the house Where
in lay the difference?
The good people of the Quaker City,
whose children could not be prevented
from playing marbles, concluded after
this discovery had been made that bill
lizards were no more sinful and with
drew their opposition, and Thereafter
billiards became fashionable.
It was the fate of Miss. Hitty to
make similar discovery in EdGewood
Miss Hitty met Dick Hedges at q
church sociable. Had she not met him
ut a church sociable she would prob
ably never have met him at all, fol
dancing was frowned upon in Edge
wood, and without dancing young PEG
pies parties are considered dull. The
consequence was that, no one caring tc
20 to the trouble of getting up a party
that was sure to be dull. parties were
not given.
But it would have made no differ
ence where these two happened tC
meet, for at once both recognized thai
they were made for each other, and
after that they provided their OWE
places Of meeting, and very soon they
were engaged Unfortunately Hedges
was poor and but one opening appear
ed for him: that was a position in al
American tea house in China. Dicl
availed himself of it and tore himself
away from his betrothed. Weeks
months, even years. passed. and he die
not return.
When the Palace movie theater open
ed its doors in Edgewood the house
Of entertainment was looked upon Will
disapproval by the church members.
At first many of them declined Il
even penetrate the mysteries beyond
the white painted doors and the many
posters outside, but gradually one d,
one the villagers were lured inside un
til the venture promised to be a profit
able one. Even the ministers of the
different churches visited the theatel
from time to time to censor the plays
but on the whole it was decided thai
it was a harmless diversion.
After Miss Kitty Morton made hel
Important discovery Edgewood took til.
PalAce theater to its heart.
Every one knew that Kitty Morton
N0dld have been married long ago i
DIX Hedges had ever returned from
his long voyage to China. But Dicl
had never returned, and it was be
Ieved that he had died. One by on.
his family had died or moved ava!
from Edgewood until there remained
only his old sweetheart. Hitty Morton
who lived on Honeypot road, in a little
red cottage near the bay. Some people
whispered that Dick had been faithles:
to Kitty.
The first time Hitty entered the walls
Of the Palace she was bewildered b,
the crowd Of silent people. the fash
ing pictures on the screen. the novelty
Of it all, for she had never been in 8
theater in all her simple life.
But the screen pictures laid theil
magic spell upon her. and she became
devotee of the movies Twice a week
AZ regularly as the program was
changed Hitty Morton could be found
sitting in the same seat halfway down
the room, her bright eyes eagerly fol
lowing the stories told by the screen.
Deacon Peddie, who passed the col
LECTION plate in church. always scru
tinized Hitty's contribution to detect
whether or not she was enjoying the
Seniweekly amusement at the expense
of.the church. but invariably iitty'>
silver dime would drop into the plate
Perhaps Hime Dayton, the butcher
might have told another story that
Kitty was skimping Oh her food She
was eating meat only twice week
now instead of three times
One night in particular the posters
were more alluring than ever. There
had been change of program that
day, but there was a missionary meet
ing, and Hitty had postponed her going
to the following night. Now she paus
edsfn front of the brightly lighted Ell
trance and studied the coored posters.
"Al For Love" That sounded thrill
ing. with rescue at sea. Pictures OF
the sea always attra acted her
Visits to Strange Lands" Hitty
thrilled with anticipated pleasure. fol-
she dearly loved these travel pictures
giving glimpses of strange lands and
strange people. perhaps the countries
that Dick Hedges had visited He
used to say that when he got u veSse
Of his own he would take her with hin
TO the far east. Kitty still lived these
voyages in her day dreams
She glanced up and down the villa &c
street
Yonder was the church The base
uent was brightly lighted. for there
C01do 0nicIrIv RaIiauaA