The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-14

JOHN BAHN " splashing into @ tubful of cold wa- ter, gave the astonished horse a jovial' dig in the ribs, and seizing me in his powerful arms-tossed me up to the festoons of cobwebs be- tween the rafters, caught me easily on my return trip and landed me 'right-side-up', back where I start- ed. jt. ..
 Having thus given @ slight vent to his high spirits, he turned se- rious saying - "Now, my trusty 'page', we've got @ great big job on our hands. We've got to meet the expectation of this young lady in that show. Did she say that they would give me lot of rehearsing?"
 "Yes," I answered, "just as I told you"
 You bet I'll need 1t, he said and you can help me Q lot, too my young friend and prospec- tive page. I'm going to tell you something that I wouldn't tell everybody. It's hard for me to remember a lot of words, and cues and things, and always put 'em in tn right place; but if in this case, you, as the kings page', keep close to me all the time to prompt me and give me the 'cues'-I won't be afraid to tackle 1t But 1t will be no easy job for you to memorize all the words and cues-What d'ya say?"
 told him in boy fashion that I should feel highly honored to be on such intimate relations with him either as king or blacksmith. And to seal the bargain, the king called the horse over to be the witness: Here, you, Dexterl You old ras- call Come and be Q 'witness'-D'ya understand?"
 Apparently he did, for he sideled over, shaking his mane and look ing curiously at the king, as much as to say-"He never acted like this before, when I come to get new shoes. However, live and learn, as folks say"
 A month of rehearsals won for the Blacksmith king the goodwill of all the singers. His modesty, and readiness to accept suggestions, of course pleased the directors. The only children in attendance were my very lovely class-mate, the Queens page, and myself.
 was immensely proud of the King, and our; relation ripened in- to deep affection. When we were alone, he addressed me familiarly as -'old man and old chap, and I liked 1t.
 He showed his appreciation of my solicitude for him in many ways, and one day when I was in the forge, and he was working the bel- lows with one hand, he put his oth- CT arm around my shiulder and said, Now, my dear old chap, you're talk in this show business too awfully serious. Of course can't get along without va, but musn't let va get down sick, don't va know-and 1t occurred to me that l oughta ease your mind of one possible worry. What I tell you now, you know, is just between ourselves" Then he dropped the bellows-handle and led me over to. a window, where he fin- ished what he had started to say. We won't have any occasion to say anything about this afain, but I'm not goin' to have tn best little friend I've got in tn world worried fir fear I might do an do some fool thing"
 He finished, almost in a whisper, the frankest and kindest of smiles on his face, T haven't touched a drop of liquor since the first morn- ing you came to the forge, and I promise you won't till after this show is good and overland, per- haps. never again. Do va under stand?"
 did understand and let him know it-and he kept his word, and lon the night of the famous perform ance he fully verified Queen Es- ther's prediction. For when he sang the rousing lines beginning Queen Estherl What is thy petition? and what Is thy request? It shall be granted unto the half of my kind- doml" why, then the windows did rattle and . tingling sensation did go up and down the spectators backs. and at the close. they checred themselves hoarse and went away feeling that they had indeed seen and heard-'grand opera
 A happy sequel followed the above. two years later when in the Sum- mer of 'eo was proudly presiding at 'Webbs' Soda Fountain.' Who do you guess one day came especially to see mel Why, Of course-'Ahas- unras' and Father and tho aueen,a