The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-19
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Laughter Maker.
THE Laugh MAKER
Nv A, w. PEACH

e0Ht4 nA&uly pc ca1eu ~,
M been discharged from the charity
Sivirion a tho city hospital as cured
II dc scourge that had swept tne
:nIty sduriax the past months and had
MIC a. her & bela4ed victim. Her
SiclnAss had cost her her position,
lnd Is she had thumbed the httle re-
inaintnx change n'her pocketoook s l,
fc1nd & had LEFT her with worldly
m she stood in the midst OF the
bnsy street It dawned upon her win
nvsrwheimlng force how little helpless
~ insignificant she was. Her near ~
sank beneath the waters OF despar o 90
m thought, and only the desperals
rsIiving al her courageous soul saVeu
la from sinking from sight.
what 10 do next? That was the
question. A sudden wave OF weakn .ss
'tSst vent over warned her tnat tne
s.-t thing would be fainting IN puplic
= sI,a we're not careful. Then she no
ticed ACROSS the street before the tneo,
trs the advertisement of a musical
s,or based upon the adventures Oh 9
character well known N tne aula
papers. The 'ad' assured the reauet
tiat the play was one long scream.
.syow Il i can get up spunk to laugn
na,haps IN feel better" Aline said 70
bsrseif and wavering in her weakness
che crossed the street, entering the
i IN and laid down the precious III
ty-cent piece at the widow.
The .heatre was comfortable; the
oneninr music light and cheerful. she
.sttIad herself in her seat determined
"a eniov herself for two hours, any
way: but a few curious glances ne l
way destroyed her calm. i suppose
do look the limit" she muttered 70
hsrself: for she knew how thin and
starved and forlorn she must appear.
sprt don't care,n she added, bravely
choking back her tears. I'm Just
going to forget for a little while
afterward@' Her throat choKed on
the atterward"
The music broke into Q lively over.
tnre. and the curtain went up. Slow
+, " at first then swiftly, the play I'M
folded the adventures Of the Irish
hero. Aline forced herself TO attention
and mirth: but the fun Of the play
was limited, and she soon found her
self sliding back into the old misery.
The audience giggled and laughed 9
bit, but no whole hearted merriment
was present. The actors worked hard
fo, .stha 1aneks." hut with little sue.
cess.
Aline was down In the depths of her
dark questioning Of the future, when
suddenly in the shadows OF the theatre
q low, Joyous chuckle broke out at
some witIicism on the stage. There
was something 80 infectious that Aline
smiled herself, and an amused muir
went over the audience. The chuckle
came again, and broke into laugh,
deep throated, jolly laugh, and the
audience responded. The players
seemed to gather courage; the audi
ence under the guidence Of that hafcV
laughter woke up, and Aline herself
came under its spell.
Only when the company assembled
! for the last chorus did she realize
that her respits from her worries was
over; and the thought was followed by
aquick decision to see who the owner
Of the Joyous laugh was. HE must
be big and fat-a drummer perhaps 2
Jolly friend he must make"
She had marked his position in the
hail. and drew toward 1t. She watched
his dusky figure emerge from his seat
and start slowly for the lobby. She
crossed his path, her eyes curious.
She turned In the lobby TO find her
SELF gazing into pair Of grave, kind.
II eyes Get In q broad, Jolly face. The
face wavered before her eyes. and she
kErembIed.
A strong arm caught her and drew
her aside. Through the haze in her
mind she heard q kindly voice, there
there, little girl buck up. This is NO
place TO faint. Come with me-"
She was led into an ante-room and
cold water given her to dri<.
Her mind cleared. She drew her
self to- her feet with q faint word
OF thanks. and looked into the face OF
her benefactor. It was the laughter.
maker beyond question.
His hand was on her arm. Nov
look, here you are all in. Let me help
you home"
she laughed. "Home. haven't
anyg
Ei5issdeep. merry chuckle sounded
Neither have /, but know a place
where We can hang our hats. Come
cn.s
TOO weary to care she went with
him, her hand drawn beneath his arm
Some feeling Of being sheltered and
c0ntorted went with her; and 1t seem
"a so good that she made no effort
tofefy.se.
I She found herself guided to quiet
corner In restaurant and facing a fat
6pcal face from which the same. grave
kind eyes looked out.
She hear his whimsical voice say
what you need is q good feed. Go Il
itqIlly not too far. for I'm about
~ Nd myself Now what's wrong
Eiyoti?'
Flie steaming soup was laid before
hef. II drove away the first thought
0f teluslng tc accept his offer and
cphtFfhutiug her own little sum, 70,
HE remembered she must save that
lor q nights lodging somewhere.
She looked at lima moment. Some.
hing IN that quiet friendliness Of his
voice touched. the door of her hear,
.SsIftA aAat,ad Che %aJd b3,,. Az. sk..,.