The Washington times., 1920-06-20

to Have the Front Beats.
TT was Saturday night at the Metropol-
itan Opera House in New York. The
- famous Caruso, most golden-throated
of tenors, was to sing. His gifted country
woman, Claudia Muzio, was the prima
donna. The opera was "Manon Lescaut."
From their luxurious limousines the
wealthiest men in the world and the love-
lest and best-gowned women were alight
ing ard making their way to their ap-
pointed places in the Respondent horse
shoe. Not man among them who could
not sign his check for millions-not a
woman whose jewels were not worth a
kings rausom.
But not all those who thronged into the
Metropolitan on this Saturday night were
millionaire captains Of industry or kings
of finance. With the leaders of the smart
set there came also men and women of the
humber classes Of society-people who
could afford only seats farsremoved from
the resplendent horseshoe. They came.
these workingmen and people of modest
means, not because 1t was fashionable to
bIttHu the opera, HoI DeCduSS IHeS Hdu
fine clothes or jewels to display. but to
crafty their love for music
One OF these music lovers was a young
Italian who had come to this country some
time ago to learn American banking
methods Edgardo Mecchi was the young
mans name. He had chosen this night for
his visit to the opera for two reasonable
cause Caruso was to sing and because the
opera was by Puccini. who had been
friend of Mecchi's father.
He had come early in order to be sure
of obtaining a good seat He was de.
lighted when his inquiries in the lobby re-
suited in his obtaining one of the coveted
bits OF pasteboard
Perhaps it was only good for standing
room or a gallery seattle was not at all
familiar with American tickets-but even
that was we'll worth having
Imagine his delight when the usher led
him to seat in parterre box! This eve
ming would be one to boast OF to his friends
and to describe in glowing terms in his
next letter to Italy. Could there be any
better evidence of the democracy OF this
wonderful America than the fact that he
was to hear Caruso sing from seat In
the famous horseshoe of wealth and fash
ion Of which he had read so much?
Young Mr.. Mecchi made a pleasing pic
ture as he settled himself in one Of the
front chairs OF parterre box No. 3. The red
curtains Of the opera house supplied an
attractive background for his dark hand
some face, radiant with eager anticipation
of the musical feast.
Perhaps he would have felt less at ease
had he known that the box In which he sat
was occupied on alternate Saturday nights
by the rich and fashionable Mrs. Willard
Straight. Perhaps he would have felt some
embarrassment had he dreamed that to
night this box was the property of Mrs.
Harriman-Mrs. r. H. Hartman, the widow
Of the great railroad magnate, founder Of
the Hartman National Bank, and mistress
Of a million dollar estate on the banks OF
the Hudson.
But. knowing none Of these things. young
Mr. Mecchi only settled himself more COM
furtably in his chair and gave himself up
To nuiet enjoyment OF the brilliant scene
that was unfolding all around him.
He glanced at the box on his right
Could that girlish. fair haired young
woman who was Just entering be Mrs Vim
cent. Aston? He thought so, for the box
was Number Z. and he remembered having
read that this was the one occupied by
Vincent Aston, the richest young man In
the world.
lust then he felt some one tap him on
the shoulder.
please let me see your seat check"
said an usher.
From the inside of his coat, where Mr.
Mecchi had carefully placed II when he
sat down, he drew forth the precious bit OF
pink pasteboard The usher scrutiniZed II
carefully and withdrew.
= BY now the great auditorium was begin.
ming to be pretty we'll filled. II was al
most time for the curtain to rise.