Year: 1878

I
H in the fall of 1S-, that glow
ing show bills adorned the sides of
buildings and tall fences announc-
ing the coming of the far famed
Harry Robinson's minstrels. The
town was alive with gossip of the
coming amusement. Idlers stood
on almost every corner discussing
the subject of miDstrelsy, for in
those days minstrel shows were but
budding into birth. Never had the
inhabitants of this little village been
so surprised as when they awoke
one morning and found their little
paradise decorated with show bills,
for the aVaatnt courier had stole
upon them in the silent hours of
night, posted his paper and van
ished ere it was dawn.


Itwas the talk of the town, and
when the morning dawned upon
which the company was to appear,
everything was astir at an early
hour to welcome and make glad
the hearts of the wandering band.
During the day the MINISTRIES
amused themselves by wandering
through the village, or visiting a
few of its inhabitants in company
with friends with whom they had
become acquainted.


Among the company there was a
recruit in the minstrel ranks known
by his friends as Tommy Sadler-a
jolly good fellow with a good voice
A desire to see the world had caused
him to leave the shop and wrap
pings of goods, to mask his face
with burnt cork and Join in the
choruses of the first part. 1t was
has duty to act as one of the ushers
until the audience was seated. AS
he came to seat Minnie Ray as good
fortune would have it he placed her
next to Johnny Murphy with whom
he had that day become acquainted.
As John was a jovial good
fellow and friend to Tommy, he
favored the minstrel with an intro
duction to the reigning belle of
H.


All the company were ready for
the first part before Tommy real
lied that in the light of Minnie
Rays eyes he had forgotten his du-
ties. The hall was brilliantly illu-
minated and crowded almost to suf-
location. Never did an audience
seem more inpatient, and the cur
tain arose amid a shower of ap
plause to reveal the scene upon
which all eyes were eager to gaze.
When Tommy sang his favorite bal
lad there was a long and continued
applause, and Minnie Ray patted
her little hands until they were
quite red. The end man acknowl
edged the compliment as he always
does, by rising and bowing pro
foundly.


That night there was commo
ton of hearts in the village, for
Tommy Sadler dreampt of Minnie
Ray until 1t was quite dawn. Go
where he might, do what he could,
her vision haunted him, fer he, like
many others, had lost his heart,
and had fallen in love with the belle
of H. Tommy saw her several
times before the band took it's de
parture from the little village where
they had met with such a CHEEKY
welcome.


At last they turned their way to
seek their fortunes in the far West,
but fortune smiled not upon them,
and soon the wealth they had melt
ed away to meet the demands of the
landlord and the printer. The boys
clothes looked worse for wear. The
treasurer's position was gone, and
he babe the boys a sad farewell and
went to seek the old folks at home.
Again the minstrels turned their
steps towards the beautiful village
where once they had met with such
unbounded success. Again were
the walls adorned with immense
posters, while in each show window
NAV have been seen Autographs of
different members of the company,
announcing their early appearance.


Among those who visited the the
atre that night was Minrie Ray.
Tommy was atle to recognize her,
as she sat in a box at the left in
company with Tom Behan, rival
of Sadler's. When it came the min
strePs time to sing, he sang the
same song that had so impressed
the fair queen of beauties. As he
dwelt on the last words bouquet
fell at his feet, thrown by the fair
occupant of the box, while at the
same time there arose an oath In
tie well known voice of Behan as
he stamped out of the house just as
the applause was inviting an en-
chore. Out IN the colo night, Tom
recovered sufficiently to reach his
home, but no comfort was there; so
he sought solitude to weep binding
tears over what might have been.
Scarcely had Sadler told his tale of
love and been accepted by the girl
and blessed by the parents than 1t
flashed through the village that
horrible discovery had been made.
some chance passers-by had discov-
cred the form of man suspended
by a rope from sign board, and 1t
was at once recognized as the body


: IT. Doko, and on his coat was