The Alaska daily empire., 1917-05-12

| As the train slowed to a stop at the quaint little station. eight young men stepped onto the platform of the height of fashion and thir handsome countenances were stamped with an air of recklessness and care less character. These young men were members of Harding's Minstrels and they had arrived in this little town to tender a "Comede de Luxe"
 After seeing to their baggage they all proceeded to the one and only first-class hotel in town, and upon arriving at the hotel they were in formed by Harding, the owner of the troupe, that they would give a public street performance at three o'clock, as an advertisement for the regular evening performance
 Harding was not popular man with the troupe. He was known among them as a man with a marble heart, who was unattentive to the feelings of others. He was typi cal hard man." who wanted money and cared not thru what source he obtained it.
 Sharp at three o'clock the minstrels appeared in front of the small thea tre, and under Harding's forceful direction. rendered a snappy comedy song, which enthused the crowd to the point of tossing hats in the air They had just commenced singing another song of a similar nature, when an old man, very raggedly at tired, approached Harding and touch ed him on the arm.
 Please sir" he said, twill you move on to the next block to sing such songs?"
 Why" asked Harding harshly don't you like our voices?"
 "Yes, you have good voices," said the old man, but just over wonder is my home and my daughter lies in the house dead. She died last night and it hurts me to hear those reckless songs so near my daugh ter's deathbed."
 Harding looked long and steadily into the tear-stained eyes of the brok- en old man. Then he wheeled and motioned for the minstrels to dis pense with the singing.
 Don't listen to that old fool, said nearby townsman, His daughter wasn't anyone, but the viii lage scrubwoman, and not a minister in town would render a sermon over her grave"
 Harding swung around and sent a glance at the speaker that made him queH
 '1s it so.' asked Harding of the old man, that you were unable to get a minister to conduct the ser vices?" wept bitterly, and whispered her name over repeatedly.
 When is the burial to take place?" asked Harding
 At five o'clock this evening"" sobbed the old man.
 "All right, don't worry said Hard ing. q shall be here at five o'clock | and see that you have the right sort of music and services"
 Harding then proceeded with his minstrels back to the hotel and up on arriving, beckoned careless-ap- | bearing minstrel aside.
 Jack Moore" said Harding, you | studied for the ministry at one time, didn't you?"
 "Yes." answered Jack. but you would never know it now
 Never mind the comedy said Harding. You get Bible some where and act as minister at the | funeral of that poor girl Jack con- :, sented. because he was stirred in his heart by the pleas of the broken old man.
 At five o'clock Harding and his | mnstrels reported at the home of the old man. The coffin was placed | out upon the lawn where Jack Moore | read the farewell to the dead one. Then the minstrels. lead by Hard ing, gathered around the dead and | removed their hats. That gathered | crowd began to giggle and snicker, because they could not fancy Hard ing's Minstrels singing a Church hymn.
 The Minstrels sang several sac red songs over the dead, ending the services with Nearer My God To Thee" The deep passes, rich bari tones and ringing tenors blended to- gether beautifully. At the conclus- ion every head in the crowd was barred, while tears glistened in the eyes of some.
 Harding and his minstrels marched behind the dead to the cemetery, where they again sang sacred songs. and once again they sang Nearer My God To Thee"
 At the conclusion of the final ser vices, the old man came over and knelt before Harding and kissed his hand
 Harding's Minstrels then proceed ed silently to their hotel, where they stayed until it was time to render the performance at the theatre.
 Late that night as they all sat on the platform of the station, they