The Washington times., 1934-01-03
OPERATOR 13 By Robert W. Chambers


very long,"
Miss Trimble rose from the
table, took leave Of the boarders
in her quaint, tirnid way, and
went out like a mouse. Not far
away in the dusk, q hack
awaited her; she got into it in
silence, and she and the driver
Secret Service Operator Harry
Simms, No. 143-waited until
Mr.. Andrews emerged from the
house.
But once more they trailed
him in vain through the gas
light, for he went to Burton's.
At gallop the hack deposited
Operator 13 in st. Georges
Place, where she swiftly trans
formed herself into a swagger-
ing lad, reeking Of cheap per
fume and hair oil.
Back at a gallop and into
theater alley, where she slipped
out of the hack and around to
Burton's; and for Is cents found
herself in the Nigger's Heaven
with "PocahontaS" proceeding
in it's hilarious course with John
Brougham on the stage.
Carefree Song
That great master Of bur
lesque, in the character Of Capt.
John Smith, was singing his
parody on the popular senti-
mental song, 20 Summer
Night!"
Sang Mrs. Bougham:
Oh, Some'r right"
PoWhatan Why SMITH
Powhatan Why Smith!
And Indians: Why Smith!
"And som'r wrong"
AND INDIANS: Why Smith!
"And some get tight"
POWHATAN Why Smith!
AND INDIANS: Why Smith!
"And sing this song
The whole day long!"
CAPTAIN, JOHN SMITH POW.
HATAN, POCAHONTAS, AND
INDIANS:
"Oh, right or wrong,
Oh get me tight
And sing the song,
0 summer night.
For only when I'm tight I long
To sing that sentimental Song!
And gallery and niger
heaven were chanting with the
chorus amid the subdued wave
of laughter from box to pit.
Tingling Moment
But Operator 13 was no
longer listening or looking at
the stage, for there. in a stage
box, sat Andrews with Claire
Quilter, and in shadow behind
them stood q figure in evening
dress that set every nerve and
drop of blood throbbing in the
youthful body Of Operator Is.
How to get at her lover she
had no remotest idea. It was
probable that he was there for
a few moments only, for he re-
NAMED standing. The girl
scarcely dared take her eyes
from him, yet somehow she
must follow him and discover
where he wa going.
All around her was a din Of
yelling and laughter as she
rose and made her way out to
the steep stairway and hurried
down it to the gallery entrance.
There was no opportunity to
call in No. 143; she might miss
John Gailliard by going to
theater alley. Even now, the
first act was over and the
audience swarming out to lobby
and sidewalk.
Dressed like a young tough
Of Cherry street, she Skulked
along the curb, trying to catch
sight of her lover in the milling
crowds around the theater.
At that instant she saw him
opening the door Of a hand
some private carriage. In des-
peration she showed forward,
hoping to stage a row suffi-
cient to bring a policeman to
arrest them both; and she
joStled him so violently that
he stumbled and nearly fell.
Instantly she swore at him
and showed fight.
"Who yer shown bully boy
with the glass eye?" she de-
manded, with her best Five
Point leer. oyer want yer
swell hat Dashed? Aw right!
Come on, then! Put up yer
dukes!" And she squared off |
and danced up to him.
Decisive Action
But there was no row. John
Gailliard gave her one amazed
look, then took her by the shirt
collar and the seat Of her
Continued on Comic PGge)