The Omaha guide., 1934-07-14
Continued from Page ~

\COHLinueO from rage IL
tact with the actors and actresses.
those people so glamorous, so sur
rounded by an au ia of distinction,
hat he scarcely thought Of them in
comparison with the drab, matter Of
'ect people with whom he ordinarily
associated.
With the players much as with
averyone else, Joe found favor. Folks
liked the way he smiled, showing his
white teeth, his lips crinkling at the
corners al the light cleaning in his
big black eyes.
1t was "How goes it, Joe?" or
Your. looking fine" or some equal
friendly salutation that greeted
him as he went about his work. At
H;eSE h ID fall asleep dreaming of the
happy lot that was his.
For weeks ahead he knew of the
advance bookings of the theatre, and
when he saw that Green Pastures was
Inning. ne could scarcely wait for
the opening night. The osters for
the show were put up: he was thrilled!
1t was the picture of the Archangel
Gabriel that caught hist ancy. He'd
like to play a part like that. How
he'd blow that trumpet and scare folks
SOS they'd straighten up and behave
themselves and save themselves from
bein' put on the left side of the Lord
on Judgment Day. He'd sure do his
part to save the void if BLOWN that
great big. brass trumpet would help
any. Brass, brass" he repeated
over and over again. How could any
n know more about keepin' a brass
trumpet like it ought to be than he?
When the cast for the show arrived,
Joe managed to be backstage. It
was the manager who pointed out the
Archangel to him. "That's the guy,
right over there" he said. Like q
guardian angel Joe lowered about the
actors dressing room.
The day was warm. The door was
open Joe's bright eyes spied the brass
trumpet. But at the first glance
his spirits sank. It was a shame for
any archangel to own a trumpet like
that. It's luster was dimmed. There
were dark shadows about the base.
OF course, most folks out in the aud
fence would notice it just the way he
did.
Most people didn't know just how
bass ought to look. He did. His
fingers tingled. His whole body was
bathed first in an icy chill and then
IN a flash so hot that the Precipitation
stood out in great beads on his fore
head Something had to be done.
He just couldn't endure the agony he
was passing through. Just how did.
it, he never knew, but he stepped
boldly up to the door. He his cour
age failed him when his eyes met
those of the great actor. H. was a
big powerful man, deep chested,.
broad shouldered and he was colorad
Joe looked at him admiringly. In
the presence of a man like this color
seemed to be no handicap: rather, a
distinction. Joe looked at his own
black hands approvingly, but he felt
timid, afraid. This man was a great
actor. He was only a poor polisher
Of brass.
He would have withdrawn, but thu
playera's big deep voice doomed out
well, hello. How are you? Some.
thing 1 can do for your"
"Why-why-yes. II want YOUR
trumpet" F.
"My trumpet"
"Ye-ss."
"Man awe. The shew couldn't 90
on without that trumpet. The dead
wouldn't rise On Judgment Day n the
whole world would go haywire."
Il Il don't mean I want to keep
it. I just want to take it.
"Wka5 foi?"
"To-to polish it. Then the words
tEnsSled out. 81 amt saying it to
hurt your feeIin's but that's no way
to have a brass trumpet look. 1t
amt shinin' the way it ought to-"
A big form doomed up in the hall
way. 1t was the Lord of the play.
Hes right Gabe. I've been tell
ing you all along that you ought 30
shine UP that horn"