The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-10
THE DREAMERS
By VINCENT G. PERRY.

The dreamers sat side by side on
d log. looking away out over the wa
ters of the lake. The scene was
strangely peaceful-tiny, ripping
waves gently kissing the wet line OF
the beach, made the only sound. Then
from out of the horizon rose thin,
black line a line that widened as the
minutes passed. widened and swelled
into smoke clouds. Fascinated, the
pair watched until the great lake
freighter, with its belching smokestack,
was clearly outlined and gained mo-
nOpoly of the scene. Nearer ana
nearer came the freighter-a steady,
onward force that rode the mighty
waters with the air of conqueror.
"Someday l am going to be like
that" The girl broke the silence. Il
am going to spring up out of the back
ground and swiftly take place OF
prominence in the world. Like that
steamer, / will travel on and on,
nothing will stop me. nothing can, I'M
til l have achieved greatness"
The boy smiled. He, too. had
dreams.
II will be like these waves" he said
81 will travel slowly, gently. surely.
I will 90 around the things in my way,
pass over or carry with me the small
things. l may be pushed back, like
the waves, but like them l will come
back again. Always l will be reaching
out, out, out"
1t was many years later. Jack Tenn
pie, millionaire broker. left his Of
flee, his head heavy and aching. Big
business had meant always headache
for Jack. Despite his remarkable
achievements and his worldwide fame
as the cleyerest and coolest financier
1 on Wall street. he still faced every
battle nervOusly, still battled at a
tension; but none save Jack knew
that-tO Wall street he was man
without nerves, man with an iron
constitution.
It was for men like Jack "the tired
business man" form Of entertainment
was invented, but the "girlie-girl'
shows had no attraction for him that
night
Anything but a musical show" he
told his chauffeur, after he had given
up the thought of eating. Il don't
care where Even melodrama would
be welcome tonight"
So It was that the car drew up at
small theater playing 'The Bubble
Breakers" The name could apply to
any show. but the glaring Autographs
displayed In front of the theater pro-
claimed it melodrama without doubt
Jack went in without f1inching. He
smiled when his chauffeur declined an
invitation to accompany him-that In
itself was sufficient guarantee that the
show was a poor one. but Jack was
there at his own bidding, and he never
went back on himself.
The house was well filled. The
cheaper seats were all occupied. but
some of the more expensive ones were
vacant. Jacks seat was near the front
The curtain went up on the first ac'
before the millionaire had chance tt
study the types around him.
The scene was beach. The water
in the background was poor scenic
effect. but the log and the pair seate6
upon 1t looked natural enough. Their
appeared at the head of the canvas
black line. 1t was some time before
the audience could grasp that 1t was
intended for smoke. but when light:
appeared and the form of a poOri.
painted lake freighter attached itsel
TO the thin smoke line the riddle wa
solved.
! Then the pair began to speak. IN
girl smoke first. Her voice was low
. and sweet; there was nothing OF I'M
forced melodrama In her tone. Sh
was inst q child, barely fourteen, Jacl
thought. His mind was more on TN
little actress than on the words sh
was saving. but when the hoy spoke n
realized that they were dreamerS
dreaming Of the future. Such foo'
ish. useless pastime it was.
: But Jack could not become bored D.
the play. The plot was ragged. Du
the bright little actress protraying tn
child's part kept life enough In TN
NAV to hold his interest.
It was between the third and fourt
acts that Jack came to his decision
His life had been such lonely. ba'
rem sort Of thing, why couldn't n
do something worth while now! d
asked himself. Here was his chanc
to spend some of his millions on al
I other, here was his chance to Civ
this child-dreamer the means OF reaii.
ing some Of her dreams.
: Lenore Roselby sank to the cha
before her dressing table and gave
. sigh of relief. The play was owe
{ and she was glad of it. for her pa
was a hard one and she had exerte
: her every effort to portray 1t. d.
maid entered with card. The actre'
|. rave the card but fleeing gianc
Cards meant only one thing in NJ
j. life-stage johnnies, and experien'
' had sickened her of that type ior
ago.
.. "He was prosperous, rich looking
4 her maid whispered. "And ne WI
1