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Krtabl tubed 18SO. » ?OL. XLIX No. 8. ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wvomine Vallev PITTSTON LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. jSl.OO a l«r in Adiaara. [Copyright 1898, by the Author. | gan sewing for a living, i'nat was ail tould da and she just hated it Perhaps you tuiuk bim oughtn't to have told nie all this about my father, boc she couldn't keep things to herself. She isn't that way a bit lots of goqd advice, but we never worry trying to make each other different, and that's so pleasant We've played four engagements, counting this one, and it's only a year and a half we've been trying. Of course the stage isn't nice every way, but I think it's lovely more ways. I'm ailing a good deal, and the cars are hard on me, but then, you see, now we're not in the oars much. " Keen enough—regarded them ootn wiui a bitterness born of the sense that they were the sign and seal of his own decline and fall, and abundantly re-enforced by every prejudice in him. They were gayly unconscious that their presence marked him bankrupt tised it on the billboards, by the way, as having no plot and no literary merit). This show was a careful compound of burlesque, horse play and variety business, and Oassius' antics in the mob disclosed just the qualities of movement wanted for a "part" in "The Kicking Kitten." The part was that of a make believe toy manikin, a toy that should display its activities to the audiences of the future only when properly wound up. The proprietor of "The Kicking Kitten" was a peroeivtug person. This feat of going when wound up and stopping when run down was exactly the kind of being Cassius could shine in, and, proud as if be were to star in Hamlet Cassius soon announced his engagement and devoted his leisure to studying and imitating the movements of the mechanical toys exhibited on Fourteenth street pavements. The new olav (God save "V " ~ras to be tried on a dog—the phrase is technical —in a summer tour. Two days before his departure as one of its attractions Cassius came to see me. He wore a curiously familiar air of combined fear and friendliness, and, sure enough, he pree»ntly asked me to lend him $10. He said he had a chance to get, if he got it that night, a $20 trunk for $10. He was to leave Monday morning. He must pack his things on Sunday. He could not get the trunk without the money. He needed it greatly. He and Aunt Maggie had not so much in the house, and he was afraid to go away and leave her with any less than she had anyway. He had just heard of and seen the trunk within the last hour. was looking for a backer, that theatrical good fairy so inexplicably subject to entreaty, preparatory to starting as the toy man upon a starring tour, of course with "a play" properly built around hini. boh, "but you've done a good deal for us. You do all the time, and it's mine, and I shan't ever really use it—while I'm alive." THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. "II Pi of Players." LESSON III, FOURTH QUARTER, INTER- She stopped and again looked arlong time out of the window before she added conclusively, "I think yon ought to have it" NATIONAL SERIES, OCT. 16. "She worries nie dreadfully telling things. I can't think how any one with so much moral principle can have so little dignity. Then I was all she had, and she didn't know but my father would come back and olaim me some time, or she might die, and then I might come up with him some time, and she was so afraid I might be like that and not oare about right and wroug. She cares enough, but people criticise her dreadfully. They always did, and I wish she wasn't bo bent on going on the stage. One doesn't want one's mother on the stage, you know. But she's been awfully good to me as far as she could understand me, and I know I'm a strange nature. I said: 'Mother, I'm not going to keep on against this stage business. You'll just have to be happy your own way, but I can't stand being around mixed up with it I've got to .fionsider myself and my future,' So I got a place to live away from her, for I had some music pupils. My mother spent a lot of money on my music. So I got some pupils as soon as I left school—beginners. It would have been bad for my pupils to get wind of her going on the stage, and I told you she never could keep anything. I adore dignity and retioenoe myself. Don't you?" This ambition sounds wild enough, but what is wilder than history, especially — let us take a comprehensive phrase—history in the show business? One night I was near him in a hotel dining room when the waiter seated him opposite them, though you may be sure at another table. He groaned aa his eve fell on them. Text of the Leaeon, II Chroa. xxlT, 4-1S. Memory Venea, 9-11—Golden Text, II Chron. xxxIt, IS—Commentary by the 1 Rev. D. M. Stearns. I found it more than impossible to speak to a living woman about her fast nearing need of clothes for the grave. I could give no hint that I knew the wish she was sacrificing to honor. This talk was not exactly the monologue I have taken the liberty to represent it, but my part in it was unimportant. The last sentences aroused my curiosity. How had these two incompetent infants ever managed to get four engagements, even though the other three were as unimportant as the present one? And how much money had they earned? And the $400—was it all gone? Cassius might have made a fortune. Needless to say ho was sure he would, and win immortal famo as well. BY "Put mo on the other side, for God's sake," he exolaimed with tragioemphasis, and then to another old actor and fellow sufferer: "I can't eat if I have to see that amaytoor monkey and his amaytoor ma so giddy and happy over there. Fakirs} Tfccy ain't fakirs. A fellow has to know a drop cm tain from a sewing machine to get up to being a fakir. They're—they're worse than elo- 4. "And it oame to pass after this that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord." After the death of Jehoehaphat, who did right in the sight of the Loid (II Chron. xx, 32), the story is a sad one of unbelief and rebellion until Joash at the age of 7 and under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest began to do right in the sight of the Lord (verses 1-8). It may have been 80 years or more after the death of Jehoshaphat that the temple, so long negleoted, began again to be honored. The negleot of the temple meant the negleot of God. But it was not to be. Aunt Maggie became too ill to be left alone. Her money was almost gone, and before the summer was past Oassius gave up his engagement and practically his search for a backer and returned to take care of her. Yet, hard as it was for me to understand any intensity in such a feeling, her strange, strained manner, her deep, fixed abstraction and her wide, sad, unseeing eyes told me that this crushed desire devoured her. In her little mind lived vividly the ancient, the primeval feeling that associates forever, even after death, body and soul—spirit—whatever we call all that gives identity. VIOLA ROSEBORO. "Aunt Maggie, it's raining. Have you got your rubbers? Yes, I brought the big umbrella. You'd better tie a "She'sso good to me; that's the thing of it." "And he isn't my nephew at all, xon know." Throusth all this I heard nothing of Mrs. Mason's daughter. After Uassius return he told me that while he was away she had sent her mother $5. "She hasn't any appreciation of Aunt Maggie, " was his only comment But if her daughter cared little about her and was oppressed by little sense of duty, Mrs. Mason had consolations such aa wiser people often lack. These remarks were made in a queer, half mincing yet masculine voioe outaide my dressing room door. They were evidently addressed to same one in another dressing room. over your head, though." ".No; we're no relation." The' —~ — Is of their situation, of the feeble woman's situation particularly, made me shiver. "We're Just friends. I don't know why people say just friends. He's more than a son to me. He never tries to make me over into something else as your own family do. Miss Addington." I put in a word of thanks for her divination of my case; bat unconscious of interruption, she was saying that tomorrow she must tell me all aboat it— her and Cassias' friendship. B«ior« long business looked up, fainty enough, but sufficiently to p-iuin Mr. Leroy the luxury of getting rid of Mrs. Mason and Cassius. It was against his principles to pay anybody anything, but now as a measure necessary to their dismissal and bis own relief he turned his back oh principle and gave them some money. In our modern world the vital passion springing, say, in Greek literature, from the deep belief in this or that circumstance of sepulcher is only imperfectly comprehended and with an effort, But I was glad she wasn't sewing. I could understand that she fouud any risk of starvation cheerful compared to the certainties of life as a seamstress. I said nothing of knowing Florence. It did not seem that the information could give any particular pleasure, and I did not care to bore myself with a proper exhibition of interest in her. The pair before me were more entertaining. 6. "Gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year and see that ye hasten the matter." It is We were in a dirty little place called by its patrons an opera house. interesting to note that the neglected house of the Lord was a safe hiding plaoe for the ohild Joash for six years (II Kinits xi, 3). What a comment upon the disuse of God's dwelling plaoe in the midst of Israel and their uttea forgetfulness of God) This oompulsory attempt to raise the money for repairs is very muoh like the way most Christians act now, but it is not the Lord's way. The Levi tea probably understood this and therefore were slow to obey the king's oommand. I recognised the queer voice. It belonged to an odd, active boy who had taken a part in the evening's theatrical performance. But what caught my attention was the statement that it was raining. that once flowered in sooh beliefs and passion in yet a simpler, a more primitive, form, existing qnite without religions association and in a poor battered little piece of womankind, only begetting an unutterable longing to wear forever a gown that was rich and rare. the feeling Friendship, like all matters of feeling, is a mystery. Evidently to enjoy it it is not necessary to be able to read what Emerson says about it Here were these two, with nothing of intellect or deep spiritual experience to found congeniality upon, still building out of their crazy little tastes and loyal little affections the great blessing for themselves.I discovered that this gave me a fine opportunity to strike for my salary and go home too. If I did not get it now, I need never hope to, and I was ready to compromise for cash the possibilities of further experience. "I think," said she, "it's real pleasant to know that people can find such friends in the world—an old woman and a boy, too—that they can take so much oomfort in eaoh other. He is just a boy, for all he's so ambitious, but he isn't like other boys. He's so good. Some ways he's more like a girl, but he's manly, too, you know." I say the pair before me, for if Mr. Wetherby was not present in the flesh be enjoyed a glorified existence in all Mrs. Mason's talk. I had that day oome on from New York to join this company. I was exhausted with fatigue. I had no umbrella, Certainly I should need a handkerchief over my head. And here was this desire—the consuming desire of the dying—trampled by the relentless conscience that had hunted her through life. And here before me was the woman that for a personal scruple of conscience bad for 20 years fought such a bitter battle; who had fought it aud won it with her hated needle; who with no other weapon had actually conquered an eduoation for her child, had sent her to private schools aud good musio masters. No wonder she wanted to do something she liked now. I was to learn more details of her campaign. The horror of those years of sewing was so strong upon her that some expression of it was always likely to break in upon her general conversation. Yon see, I have called my story "A Pair of Players" Dot because that title is justified by the literal truth, but because I desire to pay tribute to my friends' glowing aspirations. My efforts had a degree of suooess, and I triumphantly took my way back to New York with the dismissed pair. I congratulated them upon their situation. I thought them, in truth, very lucky. 6. "The collection of Moaea, the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel for the tabernacle of witneaa." The king called for Jeholada and asked why the Levltea had not been required to bring this in. The answer of Jeholada la not given. Prayer la more powerful than argument, and possibly priests and Levltea gave themselves to prayer. In Ex. m, 11- 16, there la the record of the ransom or atonement money whioh every man gave when enrolled in the army of Israel, bat this money waa used to build the tabernacle (Ex. xxxvlli, 86-88). In Deut. xvl, 10,17, there la a record of an offering freely given when the people oame to Jeruealem to worship the Lord, and thla, I think, would be the proper offering for the repairs. Notice that thla waa brought to the temple. When I was ready to leave the hall. It seemed deserted, but as I reached the pater door I came on the herald of the weather. He was on his knees, his month fall of pins, shortening Aant Maggie's petticoats. The woman was also a member of the company. Truly the inevitable human rrmfljnt is found on queer battlefields. The next day after rehearsal Mrs. Mason visited me again. She overflowed with friendliness and talk, biographical and autobiographical. It was unnecessary to say so much. I had reoeived too many small kindnesses from him to refuse him his money if I had it But I had it not All my money was in bank, and until Monday morning I was practically penniless. A very little reflection, however, showed me a way to the desired end. Cassius made up bis mind to tako Mrs. Mason out of the city. It seemed the right thing to do, but I was troubled as to how he was to take care of her anywhere. However, he had brought a little money home with him and was quite unburdened with fears for the future. "Oh, we'll get on somehow. I can do lots of things," he declared. Cassius came for Aunt Maggie at supper time. We were in the sphere of the midday dinner. I devoted myself to routing the conscience. I thought it had had its day, and I wanted Mrs. Mason to die ooxnfortably, as such a voritable simple pagan should, soothed with the knowledge that all that yellow embroidery was to enwrap her through all time. But the conscience had acquired the strength it had overcome. It was a stubborn, unreasoning organ, and under itB iron rule its pale victim grew daily more and more melancholy. They accepted my view with alacrity and volubility and were full of ingenious explanations of the manager's self sacrifice—in dismissing, not in paying, them, they meant One thing about Mrs. Mason must have antagonised many a person and made her stand in the minds of the judicious as an example of the demoralizing effects of the stage. Such an example she was, to be sure, for she was painted like a barber's pole, and that was undoubtedly the result of the achievement, too late in life for safety, of a make up box. Rut when one saw how simple and kind and more than respectable she was the effect of all that red and white and black stuff on her tired, worn, middle aged face became as toachingly humorous as it was aesthetically disastrous. It was put on with the confidence of a creature who has little practice in deceit and none at all in the detection of it. "I've been telling her all about things," said that lady. They barred my way. As I stopped they both looked up and spoke together. "I hope you haven't been knitting with wet feet" said Cassius. "I meant to ask you if you'd changed your shoes. I have to take good care of her, Miss Addington. She doesn't take care of herself right Excuse me, may I?" And with one of his nippy little feminine movements he picked up and bent a scrutinizing eye upon an embroidered canvas photograph case. I now learned the exact details of their financial situation. They were hardly reassuring to my skeptical, mind, but the pair—I always thought of them as the pair—did not themselves take a dismal view of their case. A hundred dollars of the memorable $400 was still in bank. This fact filled me with admiring wonder,especially I when considered the purchase of that wine oolored satin and the accompanying cartload of I had the resources of experience. I had been both practically and positively penniless before. Pawnshops are not closed at A o'clock on a Saturday night, though banks are. I gave him my watch and told him to get his $10. "Why, it's Miss Adding ton. Miss Addington, allow as to introduce ourselves. " The boy had sprang to his feet with preternatural alertness, and now, continuing the last speech I have quoted, said, "This is Mrs. Mason, and I am Cassias Wetherby." Then with an abrupt change of tone: "Let me pin up your skirts too. I have a whole paper of pins here. Allow me." And there be was upon his knees at my feet working away with professional dexterity and speed. I took it as evidence that he oould when in three days he found just the place he wanted and moved to it In this first tete-a tete she interrupted the story she bad begun about her first acquaintance with Mr. Wetherby by exclaiming: "But when I say I'd been doing dressmaking for years, that don't tell you anything. You don't know anything about it. You don't know anything about it." It was on Long Island and was half farmhouse, half old fashioned roadside tavern. It was within two miles of an ancient village, now brought low and become a summer watering place. It was on the Monday of Cassius' departure that Mrs. Mason came to see me about this same business. In her darkened consciousness the near and nearer approach of dread death itself was outweighed by the burden of this new sacrifice. 7. "The aona of Atbaltah, that wloked woman, had broken up the houae of Qod, and alao all the dedicated things of the houae of the Lord did tbay bestow upon Baalim." la there any danger of our taking thinga that belong to Ood and, like that wicked woman and her aona, giving them to Baalf Let Baal atand for all other lorda exoept the Lord JeauaChrist; then, If honest, would we not have to aay, "O Lord our Ood, other lorda bealde thee have had dominion over us" (Iaa. xxvi, 18). Whatever is given to aalt or the world of that whioh belonga to the Lord la like taking from the Lord to give to Baal. 8. "They made a obeat and art it without at the gate of the houae of the Lord." In II Kings xli, 9, It la aaid to have been placed bealde the altar on the right aide aa one oometh into the houae of the Lord. By oomparlng the two veraea we aee that it was done by Jeholada, the prieat, at the king's commandment. The altar suggeeta the aaorifloe, Qod'a love to ua, the coat of our redemption, the love of Chriat which constrainoth us to yield all we are and have oheerfully to Him. Giving ia easy when we oonaider Him who ao loved ua that He gave Hlmaelf for us. What can we give compared with Hla gift? 9. "And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection." This la wholly different from aendlng out the prieeta to gather It (versa 6). Thla la the Lord's way, the other ia man'a way. When the tabernacle waa to be built, proclamation waa made that all who were willing might bring their offerings, and the result was that ao much oame In that Moses had to oommand the people to stop bringing (Kx. xxxv, 89; xxxvl, 0, 7). It was the same willing spirit that provided for the temple (I Chron. xxix, 9). I believe that If people ware taught the privilege of giving because of God's great gift to them they would today give aa freoly aa in the days of Moses and of David. I have seen it and know it and have heard of the same spirit in other parishes, where the efforts to raise money were set aside and the people permitted to give willingly. 10. "And all the prlnoea and all the people rejoioed and brought in and caat into the cheat until they had made an end." David prepared for the temple with all hla might, beoauae he bad aet hla affection to the houae of hla God, and when the people gave he aaid,' Who am I, and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort, for sll things oome of Thee and of Thlneown have we given Thee" (I Chron. xxlx, 9, 8, 14). There Is that soattereth and yet increaseth. Every man, aooordlng aa he purposeth In hla heart, so let him give—not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver (a hilarious giver) (Prov. xi, 84; II Cor. Ix, 7). "I embroider a little myself," he said, "and I like to look at anything new in that lina The sale for tonight is the best this week. I think business is looking up. That's very pretty, very pretty. I have a great eye for colors. Well, we must be getting to supper if we are going to have any voioes tonight, mustn't we?" "I just wanted to speak to you a minute," she said, with embarrassed hesitancy, sitting down before me. Tfer act had an expression of half bushiest Yes, be was right that young man, when he said he could do a lot of things. He did them. The one he had made of his diplomacy in getting my watch did not exhaust it He entered his new boarding place on the regular footing, and that footing he made firm by paying his and Aunt Maggie's board in advance for two successive weeks. Then he successfully rearranged matters and defrayed his own expenses with his own labor. The queer, beautiful little friendship that was brightening her last days waa perhaps the poor beet wine in her sorry feast of life, and now even it gave its own special cruel sting to her loss—the loss of the embroidered gown. Then with a sort of solemn retrospective desperation she went on: "Miss Addington, I never learned dressmaking. 1 always hated to sew worse than anything in this world, but I was handy at it, and I liked to make my own clothes look nice, because I couldn't afford to have any one else do it for me. But it's one thing to make your own clothes and another—indeed it is another—to make other people's. I never did understand any sore way to make a fit —nothing about lots of things real dressmakers know. I had taste; that was alL I could do things others couldn't and make things look like pictures—when I had any lack. You ask any one that ever saw my work. That was the only reason I ever got anything to da "We were saying it most have been a very hard evening for you. You did wonderfully." The red and white paint was height ened in effect by a coquettish white veil, and her speech was more broken by coughing than usual She had that flat backed, slim figure which a 80-year-old possessor always believes to be youthful in effect, but only the dullest of observers could have been blind to the time wearied and labored oharaoter of Mrs. Mason's uprightness."I hope you'll think something more of it because Cassius did it," she said tome. "Ishould. Cassias don't always do just right I never was satisfied about his telling you he wanted to buy a trunk—you know I wasn't—but anyhow there are not many young men aa good as he is. He never bed any bad habits, and—and"—she began to cry weakly—"he's be6n so good to me, and we've had such pleasant times, talking about plays and things while be embroidered. I never had such pleasant times, and I've taken such an interest in every stitch." "No rehearsal at alL It was wonderful.""Why, Cassias, she has no umbrella." "Well, we've one big enough for three." As he and Mrs. Mason had only about ten lines between them in the night's play, this solicitude about voioe was an example of their disinterested artistic scrupulosity. "It's about Cassius," she continued after some encouragement—' 'about— you let him have your watch. Oh, it seems dreadful, but he did need the money I Only, Miss Addington, I must tell you I'm afraid Cassius did not tell you quite the truth about that money. I know he'll pay it back, but I wish he'd said what was just so about what be wanted with it Cassius iB good; he has no bad habits, but he doesn't always think it's wrong to tell things that are not exactly so, and I da I can't stand it He didn't want it for a trunk. He wouldn't take any we had. Ho said there was too little for me to be left with, and he might die, or something. He needed a lot of little things dread- With a loquacity and good nature too great to be quelled by a mouthful of pins Cassius kept up his part in a conversational duet till be had arranged my wet weather toilet to his mind. He was incredibly industrious, and before the late lingering colony of visitors left the village he gave an entertainment for their benefit and his own. "A tutti frutti entertainment" he called it on bills he painted with a brush. She dressed with a painstaking, inexpensive elaboration of details that showed she loved her clothes. But she was one of those not unoommon women whose love of personal adornment, to be understood aright, must be understood somewhat subtly. She had, as I soon learned, as little personal vanity and as little delusion as to her own natural oh arms as possible (you see, I do not say she bad none), but she loved beauty so passionately that she must, for the peace of her life, play at being better looking than she was, and it was necessary to this game that she exaggerated tbo power of art to help her. Mrs. Mason wss surely right in saying Cassias was not like other boys. He was a good looking, well made little fellow, but it seemed as if he must belong to some race or nationality of which I had seen no other specimen. His smooth, oval face and bright, dark eyes were not effeminate if he did have quick, mincing little ways and feminine accomplishments. He had not the smallest gift for acting, but sometimes his queer personality fitted small comio parts fairly well, as almost any queer personality sometimes will, and as he had a real gift for droll, brief mimicries be might have won success as a music hall lightning ohange artist Then, witb all possible care for my comfort, the two esoorted me to the hotefi the hotel where all the company were housed. Something of his situation, his care of the dying woman, had gotten noised about (I don't think he aimed tooonceal the facts), and the entertainment was, I wus told, in every sense a success. I knew of its attractions only by hearsay, for, though I was taking a late vaoation from city streets and dramatic agents and had established myself in the old tavern with my pair of players, I staid with Mrs. Mason while Cassius ministered to the public's amusement Mrs. Mason had now become so weak that she needed more care than Cassius could give her. I bad bad a good fire kept in my room, so I asked tbem to oome in with me and dry themselves. Theatrical people are apt to be reserved and indifferent witb any new unknown member The situation was certainly becoming intolerable, yet it was easier to disoover this than to find a way to mend it Here was I cast for a very Shylock and all my victim's moral nature involved in the determination to make me play the part Thank God, I have occasional lncid intervals in which I glimpse the unfathomable and invaluable depths of "I never cut into a fine piece of goods that I wasn't so giddy with fear that I thought I should faint. I'm absentminded, and I get mixed up so easy, and such awful accidents can happen in dressmaking, and it wasn't only cutting into it, it was the whole time any handsome thing was around I never drew a breath but in fear. That's a way to live, isn't it? You don't know anything about it I cut two side gores once for the same side, and it was brown brocaded velvet, and we never oould match it But I don't want to think about it Yes, of course, that's what every one said—learn a system, learn a system— and I've nothing to say back that doesn't sound silly, but after all one's own way " Well, toe must be getting to mipper." embroidery silks. But if they indulged in some remarkable extravagances it is plain, you see, that they were, in the main, most frugal, and they had had an energy and a lack in wresting money from managers at which I never ceased to marvel. Early in this our second interview she said, "I have a daughter, Florence— that's her name " When she said "Florence," my mind automatically answered, "Florence Mason," and as with the turning of a key I remembered a long ago had passed from my mind, as if to be forgotten forever. inconsistency and His mind was evidently of the smallest, about what one might expect in an irticulate squirrel, and, by the way, he was more like a squirrel than anything slse. Squirrellike, ho was brimming over with energy, and his little artistic sensibilities, limited as he was, were nevertheless keen and manifold. I speak of one financial revolution; there was but one. They had a purse in common, as if they were living in an ancient romance. They were blind in the modern view that this is a greater strain than friendship can stand. the human heart I have a profound belief in the superior wisdom bom of these qualities, and though my experience of them in Mrs. Mason may seem to contribute but slightly to sustain this faith I never elsewhere found them more to my mind. I could not break down her determination to pay Cassias' debt by any direct attack. 1 changed my tactics for the better plan of a transparent stroke, one warranted to deoeive only with the consent of the deceived. ' 'Cassius has finished the dress. It didn't show for half when you saw it" she told me on the instant of our meeting. She made him bring it for me to see and had it hung over a chair where she could caress it with hor thin hand. A whole history that It was this woman'* history, heard years before— the history of her most eventful and momentous years. Florence Mason, an airy, irresponsive young person, the kind one in shallow moments calls harmless, I had once chanced to know. She had a pretty voice, musical aspirations and a habit of talking about herself. During the fortnight in whioh she considered me a congenial soul (I am a good listener) she told me a great deal about her mind, her gifts, her nature, and incidentally her heredity. She said she owed her moral attributes to her mother, her power of self sacrifice and her sternness of principle—that her mother had sacrificed everything to principle. Arrived in New York they took rooms in neighboring lodging houses on South Washington square—for it happened they could uot find what they wanted in either one alone—and once having seen the possibility of establishing themselves near something green it was highly characteristic of them, inborn cockneys though they were, that nothing else would da I was invited to Mrs. Mason'a room the next day to see aomeof Cassius' embroidery. Ah oho always had the better and the larger room, it was used as their common sitting room, they explained. As Cassius coDdncted me thereto he was voluble in his delighted praise of onr star and manager's last histrionic performance. He had played the title role in the "Ticket of Leave Man" the night before. It had indeed been so solidly good aa to fill me with melancholy —melancholy at the sight of so much merit so ill rewarded—bat Cassias viewed it as reflecting honor upon all of as; as more evidence (little as more was needed) that we were a band of noble artists, superior in the nature of that title to all the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. As soon as I was alone with him Cassius said, tears filling his eyes as he spoke: "She knows she is going to dio, nnd she says she wants to be buried in that dress. I can't stand to hear her talk about it, but she told me that she's been so much company for me ever since I've known her, and she's given me so much good advice." I conferred with Oassius privately and told him I would take the gown, and the debt would be paid, but that when the end came—I found it hard to steel myself to speak of grisly details that the woman with the sublime resignation of the dying faced bravely—when we oould do nothing more for her, I should give it back to him to be used as she had wished. Then I told him that this was a confidential communication and that he was to betray it to Mrs. Mason at once, omitting only the fact that I had given this last command.' She must believe that I supposed my secret intentions successfully secretedAnd there he was upon hU knees, coming into a theatrical company, inhospitality, obvious or disguised, being always the natural result of continuously multiplied dealings with strangers, ao as we ranged ourselves about my rusty stove, speaking upon an unconsciously reasoned hypothesis, I said: Then, with an oil stove, a coffeepot, a stew pan and eight dishes, belongings that had seen service before and were taken ont of storage, they Bet up w aat is known to tho initiated as light housekeeping.And with this singular peroration of gratitude the boy broke down and sobbed. But he soon checked himself to tell me that he had sent for some more yellow embroidery silk and was going to embroider all the seams of the gown. I gave Mm my watch. folly, bat I wish he'd told yon all about It And now, Miss Addington, I can pay you that money, and we can get your watch right off. Yes, I can, and I feel as if I'd rather. It isn't as if you'd known just what you were doing when you gave it to hiin." Despite the woman's failing health, her dragging step and her cough, they were still, as Mr. Leroy had so bitterly complained, giddy and happy. To have freedom, freedom to talk about the theater as much as they liked, with none to mako them afraid, to be in a town full of billboards, seemed to fill their cap "She thinks it's as handsome as it can be, but it ain't I always keep having ideas come to me when I'm at work on anything like that" With this Incoming wave of artistic complacency he dried his eyes and quite cheerfully departed to split kindling wood. "Yon are new to this business. Ton won't take so much trouble about people when you've been longer on the road." Some people might have found it confusing to learn on top of all this and a great deal more that her mother was, in the daughter's phrase, a ' 'grass widow," now seeking to go upon the stage. But this announcement found me prepared to recognise that its general air did its subject injustice. I had heard the outlines of her story and had managed to gather from it some notion of the woman's simple and singular character, a character singular ouly in its simplicity, for the love of pleasure and the passion for moral uprightness that were its basis are surely the very stuff from which man and fate weave human destiny. It was because in this stray, witless bit of humanity this typical combination of forces was so uncomplicated by other issues that she was so interesting and ao touching. She felt no sense of inconsistency in her desires; she did not dream of pleasure and duty as things created to conflict; she was innocent of all such modern feeling, a feeling that penetrates so many souls even when they reject it as a doctrine. No; she was an interesting survival, a simple pagan who wanted all of life she could get, but who was ruled by her conscience. However, whether or not the last of life is neoessarily at war with the hunger and thirst after righteousness, this queer, tragic human experience mny be safely trusted to bring them to battle sooner or later. With Mrs. Mason the ooofliot had come both soon and late, early and often, yet without ever altering the original terms, the original simplicity of her attachment to each. So with her the new struggle was always the old typical one, unsoftened, uneased by any belief in the doctrine of self abnegation for its own sake. Both my visitors answered me. I had not thought of this middle aged woman as being new to anything, but with the boy she cried out, "Oh, we've had a good deal of experience.'1 "Indeed we're qnite old stagers," said he. "J haw a daughter, Florence. "I tell yon, it was great, great—good enough for any theater in New York. 1 tell you, I call this a high class company," he chattered away, uplifted with reflected glory. It was triumphs such as this that made life sweet to him and the ex-sewing woman, and yet there are people who imagine that the world of art can be cheerless. With all her fondness for Cassius it was useless to try to make Mrs. Mason share my surprised admiration of his shrewdness, his knowledge of human nature in asking me to help him to a bargain, and getting all my feminine prejudices on his Bide, instead of simply appealing to my reasonable gratitude and benevolence with the less dramatic facts of the case, but I was successful in persuading her to leave me Oassius' creditor. is best for oneself sometimes, or if it isn't best it's all you can da I've tried to make Florence see that when she finds fault with me. You see, I never could have learned a system so that it wouldn't have upset me more than 1 was upset Of course I learned a lot of things as I went along, but nothing ever could make me sure, because I never was meant to do that work. I could have designed things, just that, real well, but there wasn't any chance for my getting a place to work like that. Then— and you'll think this was terribly foolish, but it was the only way I kept alive all those years—I was always pretending to myself that something was going to happen, that I shouldn't have tp sew next year. If I'd given up playing that way to myself, I'd have died or gone mad, and there was Florence. Then I sold the lot. It was a little lot I bought once with $50 outside Ohicago, when they said the place, the village, was going to have a boom. It didn't, of course, but at last, after ten years, it did a little, and it had been growing some all the time, Cuid I sold the lot for $400, and then I stopped. I coo Idn 't have done another stitch. The doctor said it would kill me to run the machine any more anyhow. I hoped it would if I had to, though I'm afraid it was wicked to feel so. The next day Mrs. Mason had herself dressed in the robe of her heart, and with the ingenuity only known to women and drunkards contrived to command enough solitude and strength to paint her face in the old unholy fashion. She was gently pleased and proud of the results, but Cassius said to me privately that be was worried to see her dress up so. "She hasn't had it on before since it was finished," he explained. They both had a habit of speaking of the gown as "it," as if there could be but one substantive for that pronoun. "She wouldn't put it on when I asked her to. She just said—that was the time—that she wanted to be buried in it; that she always wanted to wear something like that, aud now she just wanted to think of weariug it forever. I'm afraid she feels worse today and won't say so." Surely this was a weak plot; but, aa a plan for pleasing eveiy one concerned, it was strong, and it succeeded. 1 don't know the fine ins and outs of Mrs. Mason's fixed crcdulity, but with that distinctly primitive, pagan feeling of hers I dare say my position as one who would be oontent to give her the desire of her heart, though she could not know it, looked possible. But indeed I do not think she thought much about it Her weary scruples once tripped in my little net, she was only too glad to be done at last with her lifelong struggle—the struggle between conscience and desire all are born to, but which broke my heart with a new piteous sublimity as I watched this foolish old child. Perhaps it was hardly with a moral victory that she at last escaped from this ' 'oral predicament" but how eloquently her compromise pleads the victories of the past) 11. "Thus they did day by day and gathered money in abundance." When the chest was full, they oounted it and put it up in bags and put the ohest In its plaoe again. Compare II Kings xii, 10. It was •o easy to thus gather it No one was asked to give. All gave as they were led, and no one knew but the Lord who gave louoh or little. Doubtless then, as when long afterward He sat over against the treasury, many who were poor gave more in proportion than some of the rioh. In the day of the rewards each one shall be recompensed aooording to his works (Rev. xxii, 18), and He who reads the heart will reward righteously. Cassius, during our journey and in the hnrly burly of arrival, had proved himself possessed of great gifts as a oourier, gifts that he exercised not only for Aunt Maggie and himself, but for me as welL I expected to stay in town all summer, and be had given me invaluable aid in re-establishing myself. He had run errands and driveu nails and hung pictures and hounded trades people —in short, he laid me nndcr great obligations in taking inuoh of the worst of life off my hands. Then I realized that here were indeed two novices, stage struck novioes. The company to which we belonged was a melancholy organisation. It played a "repertory," and it staid a week in towns that "combinations" and stars —real stars—leave in one night, and it visited places that such more fortunate He brought out various bits of handiwork, but the thiug I was really summoned to behold was a satin gown, cut out, not made, and in process of ornamentation. It was a dark wine color, and Cassius was embroidering it—embroidering it pretty much all over in shaded yellows and orange. It was, so far as the embroidery went, a genuinely curious and beautiful piece ot work, as distinctly good as if it had come from the hands of an unoorrupted American Indian or an oriental rugmaker. What earthly use it oould be in that shape unless as a studio property was another question and more than I could guess. It was soon clear that Mrs. Mason's share of the luck so often referred to bad deserted her. mummers neglect altogether. The bill was changed at every performance, taking oar sojourn in one town, and nine or more performances were given in the week. In short we were a "snide" company. We represented theatrical life in one of the least glittering phases. The play constructed around the mob was withdrawn, and, as I feared, she found no further demand for "extra" ladieB of her age. She said to me that if only the satin gown were finished she thought she might get a place on its merits. As Cassias had taken various small parts of the beloved garment to embroider during his wanderings, like a modern Ulysses and Penelope rolled into one, this hallucination was safe from rpde destruction, and I had small oonscience about encouraging it I saw it was comforting. 18. "And the king and Jebolada gave it to such as did the work of the servioe of the bouse of the Lord." The money is first provided, and then the work is carried on. When the Lord would send His servants, Joseph and Mary, down to Egypt He first provided the gold that was necessary through the wise men who oame from the east When He wants anything done, He always provides for it fully. When anything seems as if it ought to be done and there is nothing to do it with, either it is not the Lord's work or it is not the time to do it But when His work is done in His way and in His time all is easy. How few aia found as faithful as these men into whose hands the money was given and no reokonlng kept (II Kingsxtl, IS). It was all done out of simple goodness of heart and pleasure in exercising his powers, aud of course my relations with himself and Mrs. Mason were now fixed. Soon they came to me for a grave consultation. They were thinking of eking out this income by seeking positions us stage supernumeraries—supes was the word used in our conversation. The point was, Did I think this course, if most secretly managed, would hurt tbeir professonal position and prospects? Their professional position and prospects I 1 didn't think it would. Nevertheless be knows little of show folk who would assume the absence of good talent among us. We, like many another such bankrupt organisation, were headed by an excellent, solidly trained old actor. He was our star and our manager, and, "down on his lock" as be was, I had been glad to join his company for the experience I oould get out of it 1 already had enough experience to know that there was little prospect of any other compensation from him. This being my position, I hastily so explained it to Mm Mason and Mr. W ether by, hoping to soothe their feelings by calling myself a novice. They exchanged glances of satisfaction at the Cassius had waylaid me in a hall to confide his fears, and when I returned to Mrs. Mason I fancied there was indeed a new melancholy in her mood. In her glowing raiment she was sitting, propped with pillows, looking out of the window at the level, sunny, autumn landscape. Surely an audienoe of happy gods, watching our "blind and blundering race," must have reversed all other decisions at last and declared the tired sewing woman a pleasing player, must have found her demonstrating anew the endless diverting possibilities of their rich entertainment Of course it belonged to Mrs. Mason, and she took it in her thin, knotted hands and tossed it this way and held it that with a gusto that showed how powerless was even dressmaking to kill her love of finery. Bat lack of employment was not Mrs. Mason's worst trouble now. She was becoming &C1 the time weaker and Bicker. Yet uhe seemed happy, and when occasionally I managed to take her to the theater, no matter what the play or whom the players, her poor wrinkled, plastered old face beamed with unclouded joy. She would smother her cough in her handkerchief and forgetting her habitual economy recklessly squander her gloves in indiscriminate applause. 1 must add that she took an apologetic tone about this habit, but appealed to me to say if it was not very pleasant to applaud when one wus pleased. "You see," she said, "out in Illinois the ladies hardly ever do applnud. At least they didn't use to. They didn't seem to think it was ladylike, and I always wanted to so!" "This is for the watteau plait, and there are the angel sleeves," she explained. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Not so much beautiful either as gorgeous. That's why I love it so. It's what I call dramatic—dramatic color, you know. It's the dramatic I love everywhere." Then it came out that the thing was already done—they were engaged for a new piece. It was to be adorned with an exceptionally accomplished mob, and they were to be part of the mob. Now, at the last, their fears for the cherished professional position and prospects had made them hesitate. After a long silence, without turning her eyes indoors, she said: 18. "So the workmen wrought, and th« work vu perfected by tbeni, uud tbey Hut the boose of God in his state and strengthened it" The next verse says that tbe work was finished, and they bad a surplus of money. There is no straitness in the Lord's provision. He does exceeding abundantly. There is a bouse now being builded, the church of God, the body of Christ, and many are seeking in many ways to gather money to do the work, and there is a lack of funds and many bindranoea."That money Cassius owes you—he hasn't ever paid any of it?" The fall was well advanced when on her, costumed to her mind, the enrtain fell. "Then I raid to myself I'd go on the stage. Yon cun't think, Mjhh Addington, how well and young and happy it made me feel for a minute just to say that over to myself, though, of course, 1 felt bad enough that it should worry Florence so. Then, after another silence: "No; of course he hain't had auy chance. I'm the one that owes it really." Caseins, the tide in his affairs having flowed and ebbed, again took np his fight with fortune in the despised ranks of the supernumeraries. This was not such a bad bit of characterisation. Mrs. Mason, you see, in the line of her likes, had her perceptions. My reply she showed no sign of hearing. Out of her own thoughts she spoke again, at last turning upon me the iixed gaze of a definite determination. I brought up my old argument and said I thought the mob would add to their experience, and, as before, they rapturously argued that that was the view to take. THE END. "That's just what I've told Aunt Mag," said Cassius. "Cassius and 1 think yon can't have too much experience,'' aaid Aunt Mag, continuing: "We come for experience too. Mr. Leroy isn't altogether what I'd wish in some respeots." ' 'I just work at it odda and ends ol time," (JaBsius remarked with an assumption of indifference and a reality of bursting prida Two Women'* Lives. Hemething of all this I had gathered even from the daughter's tale. "I always was wild about the stage. Even when I had Florence at boarding school, and the bills were awful, I'd stint myself on things—I didn't care if it was food—and get a cheap seat once in a great while and go to the theater. That gave me such u rest it gave me new heart I forgot everything while I was there, and then I could go on awhile again. Then I met Caseius, as I told you, and he wus all alone in the world, and so was I, except for Florence, but Florence was so against everything about the stage, and she was so afraid her pupils would bear about me, and of course that was right, but Cassius was wild about the theater, and he was so kind to me. He'd go my errands, and as long as he was in that house where I had my rooms he'd build my fire for me cold mornings; he would do it He was so good every way, and we just talked our hearts out about plays and actors and dramatic things. He said it was a son I needed, und he'd try to make out to be a nephew anyhow. He began to oall me Aunt Maggie, and we've managed our plans together ever sinoe. I suppose people wouldn't think I could have a real friend in a boy like that but if ever there was a friendship we have it and it's been such a comfort to me you can't think. I've always been an lonely. And I try to take an interest tkiUWtm sUnt mut I mw UD "I've thought of a way to pay it. I guess you'll think it's—I guess you'll like my idea. Cassius made this dress for me. It's mine, and I'll give it to you for the debt" Two babes wore burn in the selfsame town When Florence was about 4 years old, Mrs. Mason bad discovered that her husband was cheating a poor family In a sale of land. Of his integrity ■be bad bad doubts before, but when abe made this discovery and could doubt no more she took a oour*e that seems to have presented itself to her mind as the only one possible. With a singular observance of feminine mistiness as to masculine business abe simply took her child in ber arms, and with nothing in her pocket left him at once and forever. The significance at this act remains dubious until we learn tbat although all this happened in Illinois in the days of the famous easy divorce laws, Mrs. Mason never sought a divorce or tolerated with patienoe any suggestion that she should have one. The husband, by the way, went to California, wnere it appears be never felt any need of legal freedom. He was never heard of any more, so we are not to be bothered with him. "Daly puts his extra people on the list of his company," Cassius informed me, with great satisfaction. "Thestage manager is going to take just as much pains with the mob as with the—the other actors," said Mrs. Mason, stumbling over the chanoe of denying themselves the beloved title. On the very same bright day; The; laughed and cried in their mothers' artnb In the very selfsame way. NATlS-^gg ■T of the Globe foe f RHEUMATISM,! I and «imCl»TOomplainta, ■ and prepared under the atrlngcnt LGERMAN MEDICAL LAWS,^ prescribed by eminent phyrioianir^^l Kn) DR. RICHTER'S (Km B*'" ANCHOR "*32 fPAIN EXPELLERl I Worldreaowned! Remarkably snccettful! ■ ■Only genuine with Trade Mark" Anchor. ■P. id. Kfchtef *00., 215 PeariSt., New York. ■ 31 HlfiNEST AWARDS. ■ 13 Branch Home*. Own Glauworkt. ■ B HalHui «.C—C ul !».■■■«CDC kj ■ I'iKRKK a rtt'K, W Iwm M.UHLH'K, W N«rth Htrwl, 1. H. HOICK, 4 Bartk a«lD St. FITTSTON, I ** ANCHOR" gTOMACIUl best tor I I Oolte1Ppyejgi«A8«—Oi C—tpl.to..! "What parts do you think it would be nice for?" Mrs. Mason questioned. And both were pure and Innocent Ah falling flakes of «now, But one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the htreet below. "This is between ourselves, of oourse," put in Cassius There was a poser. The part was never written that that gown, with its barbaric splendor of color and its common conventional cut, would suit, but I could not hesitate—I had not the heart— so I declared it a creation fitted for Fedora. When the words were out of my mouth, I felt the cruelty of them. Fedora was hardly a part that even these children of hope could expect fortune to throw in Mrs. Mason's way. But, as usual, 1 did injustice to their disinterested fascination with all that relates to acting. The crucified triumph of her inflections told her feeling that I'd come off "Oassius, Miss Addington is a lady, and a lady of discretion," Mrs. Mason certified with an astuteness equally surprising and gratifying. "He some- Her emancipation from sewing and from such uncongenial conventionalities as forbade ejpression of her love foi things theatrical seemed enough to make her last steps to the grave brighter than all her life before. For, as yon have foreseen, to the grave she was soon to coma Two children played in the selfsame town, And the children both wore fair, But one had curls brushed smooth and round. The other had tangled hair; The children both grew up apaoe. As other ohildren grow. But one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the Htreet below. I thought to myself that he would certainly have to take a great deal more. The public does not need to be informed that "supea" are not usually brilliant, and I reflected, further, that if the zeal of my friends did not too fai conserve their discretion their superioi qualities might possibly win them valuable good will. times nses profane language, Miss Addington, and—but I won't talk about it I don't wish to gossip, bat he is a first rate stage manager, isn't be, Cassius? We feel that we have learned a great deal in this engagement don't we?" Two maidens wrought in the selfsame towa. And one was wedded and loved, The other saw through the curtain's part The world where her sister moved, And one was smiling, a happy bride, The other knew oaro and woe, For one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the street below. It is curious, by the way, considering that there all life's stories must finally end, how conventional a goal it seems in story telling. Cassius did, and he also reminded Mrs. Mason that it was late and that I was tired, and be told me that it just ruined Aunt Maggie not to have ber sleep. "I'll have to bring her breakfast up to her now. They close the dining room so early. They don't show the consideration they ought to professional people." They were charmed with my observation. They looked at each other and nodded.Their luck—that sovereign factor in all things theatrical—was still amazingly good. The dumand for old women as "extra ladies" is commonly small, indeed, but in a mob, you see, all sorts are needed, and in such a very swell mob as this was to be talent must have some chanoe to shine, for here was a place where Cassius and Mrs. Mason must by comparison be called talented. But, as it happens, the small events I have started ont to relate culminated only as my friends took their parts in the universal tragedy and as always that tragedy brings out as no other setting could all the touching helplessness and sweetness of their dingy, stumbling, little lives. Two women lay dead in the selfsame town. And one had had tender care. The other was left to die alone On her pallet all thin and bare. And one had many to mourn her loss. For the other few tears would flow, For one had lived in the terraced house And one in the street below. * "There, that's just what I said!" cried one. "It's just in the spirit of Fedora!" ex claimed the other. I was glad they did not further press the question as to where Mrs. Mason was going to wear it. I congratulated Mrs. Mason on ber prospect of breakfast in bed. Tbat troth brought forth more conversation: "No, my mother always said she was a married woman; that you oouldn't'be married but once, it seemed to her, but she couldn't, she just couldn't. If you knew ber, you'd know she really oouldu't live with a man who cheated people, fHmliriy poor people. She just pick- She wm sitting, propped with pillows. well in this bargain, so I answered that the dress was worth a sDreat deal more than $10, as indeed * was, could one ever find the place in which it was worth anything. If Josus, who died for the rich and the poor In wondrous holy love, Took both the sisters in his arms And carried them above, Then all the differences vanished quite, For iu heaven none would know Which of them lived In the terraced house And which in the street below. "Oh, Miss Addington, he is so good tome. I don't know—I suppose I'd have been sewing in Chicago yet if he hadn't —ma, I wonWn't I'd have Ilia list .? mlhthwsiaiJsaHl— jwi," Mrs. Mason was not quite as devoid of dramatic gifts as was Cassius, but she might as well have been an utter ■tick for all the eood her eanaoitv to feel a weMwnl4 ever do her. Tne nian- My best hopes were more than met An astute creature, half manager, half newspaper man, saw my pair and discovered that he had a use for Cassius. He was about to seek public favor for a ■bow ut hi* own (he afterward advue- Cassius did well on the road. The entertainment, with no literary merit and no plot, fulfilled its purjiose and pleased a number of people. Cassius' share in ite success, as we karned from his letters. oovered huu with alorg. «Q»» Miners- savings bank, _ or PlTTSTOB. Interest paid on Deposits twice a year. General banking business done. A. A. BBYDEN, President 0. U BIUIUI. Caikter. ■—hi* f»fo—»'i»l iartinote nun "Yes. I know." assented Mrs. Ma- —Chioago Tribune.
Masthead Pittston Gazette, Volume 49 Number 8, October 14, 1898
Full Text Krtabl tubed 18SO. » ?OL. XLIX No. 8. ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wvomine Vallev PITTSTON LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. jSl.OO a l«r in Adiaara. [Copyright 1898, by the Author. | gan sewing for a living, i'nat was ail tould da and she just hated it Perhaps you tuiuk bim oughtn't to have told nie all this about my father, boc she couldn't keep things to herself. She isn't that way a bit lots of goqd advice, but we never worry trying to make each other different, and that's so pleasant We've played four engagements, counting this one, and it's only a year and a half we've been trying. Of course the stage isn't nice every way, but I think it's lovely more ways. I'm ailing a good deal, and the cars are hard on me, but then, you see, now we're not in the oars much. " Keen enough—regarded them ootn wiui a bitterness born of the sense that they were the sign and seal of his own decline and fall, and abundantly re-enforced by every prejudice in him. They were gayly unconscious that their presence marked him bankrupt tised it on the billboards, by the way, as having no plot and no literary merit). This show was a careful compound of burlesque, horse play and variety business, and Oassius' antics in the mob disclosed just the qualities of movement wanted for a "part" in "The Kicking Kitten." The part was that of a make believe toy manikin, a toy that should display its activities to the audiences of the future only when properly wound up. The proprietor of "The Kicking Kitten" was a peroeivtug person. This feat of going when wound up and stopping when run down was exactly the kind of being Cassius could shine in, and, proud as if be were to star in Hamlet Cassius soon announced his engagement and devoted his leisure to studying and imitating the movements of the mechanical toys exhibited on Fourteenth street pavements. The new olav (God save "V " ~ras to be tried on a dog—the phrase is technical —in a summer tour. Two days before his departure as one of its attractions Cassius came to see me. He wore a curiously familiar air of combined fear and friendliness, and, sure enough, he pree»ntly asked me to lend him $10. He said he had a chance to get, if he got it that night, a $20 trunk for $10. He was to leave Monday morning. He must pack his things on Sunday. He could not get the trunk without the money. He needed it greatly. He and Aunt Maggie had not so much in the house, and he was afraid to go away and leave her with any less than she had anyway. He had just heard of and seen the trunk within the last hour. was looking for a backer, that theatrical good fairy so inexplicably subject to entreaty, preparatory to starting as the toy man upon a starring tour, of course with "a play" properly built around hini. boh, "but you've done a good deal for us. You do all the time, and it's mine, and I shan't ever really use it—while I'm alive." THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. "II Pi of Players." LESSON III, FOURTH QUARTER, INTER- She stopped and again looked arlong time out of the window before she added conclusively, "I think yon ought to have it" NATIONAL SERIES, OCT. 16. "She worries nie dreadfully telling things. I can't think how any one with so much moral principle can have so little dignity. Then I was all she had, and she didn't know but my father would come back and olaim me some time, or she might die, and then I might come up with him some time, and she was so afraid I might be like that and not oare about right and wroug. She cares enough, but people criticise her dreadfully. They always did, and I wish she wasn't bo bent on going on the stage. One doesn't want one's mother on the stage, you know. But she's been awfully good to me as far as she could understand me, and I know I'm a strange nature. I said: 'Mother, I'm not going to keep on against this stage business. You'll just have to be happy your own way, but I can't stand being around mixed up with it I've got to .fionsider myself and my future,' So I got a place to live away from her, for I had some music pupils. My mother spent a lot of money on my music. So I got some pupils as soon as I left school—beginners. It would have been bad for my pupils to get wind of her going on the stage, and I told you she never could keep anything. I adore dignity and retioenoe myself. Don't you?" This ambition sounds wild enough, but what is wilder than history, especially — let us take a comprehensive phrase—history in the show business? One night I was near him in a hotel dining room when the waiter seated him opposite them, though you may be sure at another table. He groaned aa his eve fell on them. Text of the Leaeon, II Chroa. xxlT, 4-1S. Memory Venea, 9-11—Golden Text, II Chron. xxxIt, IS—Commentary by the 1 Rev. D. M. Stearns. I found it more than impossible to speak to a living woman about her fast nearing need of clothes for the grave. I could give no hint that I knew the wish she was sacrificing to honor. This talk was not exactly the monologue I have taken the liberty to represent it, but my part in it was unimportant. The last sentences aroused my curiosity. How had these two incompetent infants ever managed to get four engagements, even though the other three were as unimportant as the present one? And how much money had they earned? And the $400—was it all gone? Cassius might have made a fortune. Needless to say ho was sure he would, and win immortal famo as well. BY "Put mo on the other side, for God's sake," he exolaimed with tragioemphasis, and then to another old actor and fellow sufferer: "I can't eat if I have to see that amaytoor monkey and his amaytoor ma so giddy and happy over there. Fakirs} Tfccy ain't fakirs. A fellow has to know a drop cm tain from a sewing machine to get up to being a fakir. They're—they're worse than elo- 4. "And it oame to pass after this that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord." After the death of Jehoehaphat, who did right in the sight of the Loid (II Chron. xx, 32), the story is a sad one of unbelief and rebellion until Joash at the age of 7 and under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest began to do right in the sight of the Lord (verses 1-8). It may have been 80 years or more after the death of Jehoshaphat that the temple, so long negleoted, began again to be honored. The negleot of the temple meant the negleot of God. But it was not to be. Aunt Maggie became too ill to be left alone. Her money was almost gone, and before the summer was past Oassius gave up his engagement and practically his search for a backer and returned to take care of her. Yet, hard as it was for me to understand any intensity in such a feeling, her strange, strained manner, her deep, fixed abstraction and her wide, sad, unseeing eyes told me that this crushed desire devoured her. In her little mind lived vividly the ancient, the primeval feeling that associates forever, even after death, body and soul—spirit—whatever we call all that gives identity. VIOLA ROSEBORO. "Aunt Maggie, it's raining. Have you got your rubbers? Yes, I brought the big umbrella. You'd better tie a "She'sso good to me; that's the thing of it." "And he isn't my nephew at all, xon know." Throusth all this I heard nothing of Mrs. Mason's daughter. After Uassius return he told me that while he was away she had sent her mother $5. "She hasn't any appreciation of Aunt Maggie, " was his only comment But if her daughter cared little about her and was oppressed by little sense of duty, Mrs. Mason had consolations such aa wiser people often lack. These remarks were made in a queer, half mincing yet masculine voioe outaide my dressing room door. They were evidently addressed to same one in another dressing room. over your head, though." ".No; we're no relation." The' —~ — Is of their situation, of the feeble woman's situation particularly, made me shiver. "We're Just friends. I don't know why people say just friends. He's more than a son to me. He never tries to make me over into something else as your own family do. Miss Addington." I put in a word of thanks for her divination of my case; bat unconscious of interruption, she was saying that tomorrow she must tell me all aboat it— her and Cassias' friendship. B«ior« long business looked up, fainty enough, but sufficiently to p-iuin Mr. Leroy the luxury of getting rid of Mrs. Mason and Cassius. It was against his principles to pay anybody anything, but now as a measure necessary to their dismissal and bis own relief he turned his back oh principle and gave them some money. In our modern world the vital passion springing, say, in Greek literature, from the deep belief in this or that circumstance of sepulcher is only imperfectly comprehended and with an effort, But I was glad she wasn't sewing. I could understand that she fouud any risk of starvation cheerful compared to the certainties of life as a seamstress. I said nothing of knowing Florence. It did not seem that the information could give any particular pleasure, and I did not care to bore myself with a proper exhibition of interest in her. The pair before me were more entertaining. 6. "Gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year and see that ye hasten the matter." It is We were in a dirty little place called by its patrons an opera house. interesting to note that the neglected house of the Lord was a safe hiding plaoe for the ohild Joash for six years (II Kinits xi, 3). What a comment upon the disuse of God's dwelling plaoe in the midst of Israel and their uttea forgetfulness of God) This oompulsory attempt to raise the money for repairs is very muoh like the way most Christians act now, but it is not the Lord's way. The Levi tea probably understood this and therefore were slow to obey the king's oommand. I recognised the queer voice. It belonged to an odd, active boy who had taken a part in the evening's theatrical performance. But what caught my attention was the statement that it was raining. that once flowered in sooh beliefs and passion in yet a simpler, a more primitive, form, existing qnite without religions association and in a poor battered little piece of womankind, only begetting an unutterable longing to wear forever a gown that was rich and rare. the feeling Friendship, like all matters of feeling, is a mystery. Evidently to enjoy it it is not necessary to be able to read what Emerson says about it Here were these two, with nothing of intellect or deep spiritual experience to found congeniality upon, still building out of their crazy little tastes and loyal little affections the great blessing for themselves.I discovered that this gave me a fine opportunity to strike for my salary and go home too. If I did not get it now, I need never hope to, and I was ready to compromise for cash the possibilities of further experience. "I think," said she, "it's real pleasant to know that people can find such friends in the world—an old woman and a boy, too—that they can take so much oomfort in eaoh other. He is just a boy, for all he's so ambitious, but he isn't like other boys. He's so good. Some ways he's more like a girl, but he's manly, too, you know." I say the pair before me, for if Mr. Wetherby was not present in the flesh be enjoyed a glorified existence in all Mrs. Mason's talk. I had that day oome on from New York to join this company. I was exhausted with fatigue. I had no umbrella, Certainly I should need a handkerchief over my head. And here was this desire—the consuming desire of the dying—trampled by the relentless conscience that had hunted her through life. And here before me was the woman that for a personal scruple of conscience bad for 20 years fought such a bitter battle; who had fought it aud won it with her hated needle; who with no other weapon had actually conquered an eduoation for her child, had sent her to private schools aud good musio masters. No wonder she wanted to do something she liked now. I was to learn more details of her campaign. The horror of those years of sewing was so strong upon her that some expression of it was always likely to break in upon her general conversation. Yon see, I have called my story "A Pair of Players" Dot because that title is justified by the literal truth, but because I desire to pay tribute to my friends' glowing aspirations. My efforts had a degree of suooess, and I triumphantly took my way back to New York with the dismissed pair. I congratulated them upon their situation. I thought them, in truth, very lucky. 6. "The collection of Moaea, the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel for the tabernacle of witneaa." The king called for Jeholada and asked why the Levltea had not been required to bring this in. The answer of Jeholada la not given. Prayer la more powerful than argument, and possibly priests and Levltea gave themselves to prayer. In Ex. m, 11- 16, there la the record of the ransom or atonement money whioh every man gave when enrolled in the army of Israel, bat this money waa used to build the tabernacle (Ex. xxxvlli, 86-88). In Deut. xvl, 10,17, there la a record of an offering freely given when the people oame to Jeruealem to worship the Lord, and thla, I think, would be the proper offering for the repairs. Notice that thla waa brought to the temple. When I was ready to leave the hall. It seemed deserted, but as I reached the pater door I came on the herald of the weather. He was on his knees, his month fall of pins, shortening Aant Maggie's petticoats. The woman was also a member of the company. Truly the inevitable human rrmfljnt is found on queer battlefields. The next day after rehearsal Mrs. Mason visited me again. She overflowed with friendliness and talk, biographical and autobiographical. It was unnecessary to say so much. I had reoeived too many small kindnesses from him to refuse him his money if I had it But I had it not All my money was in bank, and until Monday morning I was practically penniless. A very little reflection, however, showed me a way to the desired end. Cassius made up bis mind to tako Mrs. Mason out of the city. It seemed the right thing to do, but I was troubled as to how he was to take care of her anywhere. However, he had brought a little money home with him and was quite unburdened with fears for the future. "Oh, we'll get on somehow. I can do lots of things," he declared. Cassius came for Aunt Maggie at supper time. We were in the sphere of the midday dinner. I devoted myself to routing the conscience. I thought it had had its day, and I wanted Mrs. Mason to die ooxnfortably, as such a voritable simple pagan should, soothed with the knowledge that all that yellow embroidery was to enwrap her through all time. But the conscience had acquired the strength it had overcome. It was a stubborn, unreasoning organ, and under itB iron rule its pale victim grew daily more and more melancholy. They accepted my view with alacrity and volubility and were full of ingenious explanations of the manager's self sacrifice—in dismissing, not in paying, them, they meant One thing about Mrs. Mason must have antagonised many a person and made her stand in the minds of the judicious as an example of the demoralizing effects of the stage. Such an example she was, to be sure, for she was painted like a barber's pole, and that was undoubtedly the result of the achievement, too late in life for safety, of a make up box. Rut when one saw how simple and kind and more than respectable she was the effect of all that red and white and black stuff on her tired, worn, middle aged face became as toachingly humorous as it was aesthetically disastrous. It was put on with the confidence of a creature who has little practice in deceit and none at all in the detection of it. "I've been telling her all about things," said that lady. They barred my way. As I stopped they both looked up and spoke together. "I hope you haven't been knitting with wet feet" said Cassius. "I meant to ask you if you'd changed your shoes. I have to take good care of her, Miss Addington. She doesn't take care of herself right Excuse me, may I?" And with one of his nippy little feminine movements he picked up and bent a scrutinizing eye upon an embroidered canvas photograph case. I now learned the exact details of their financial situation. They were hardly reassuring to my skeptical, mind, but the pair—I always thought of them as the pair—did not themselves take a dismal view of their case. A hundred dollars of the memorable $400 was still in bank. This fact filled me with admiring wonder,especially I when considered the purchase of that wine oolored satin and the accompanying cartload of I had the resources of experience. I had been both practically and positively penniless before. Pawnshops are not closed at A o'clock on a Saturday night, though banks are. I gave him my watch and told him to get his $10. "Why, it's Miss Adding ton. Miss Addington, allow as to introduce ourselves. " The boy had sprang to his feet with preternatural alertness, and now, continuing the last speech I have quoted, said, "This is Mrs. Mason, and I am Cassias Wetherby." Then with an abrupt change of tone: "Let me pin up your skirts too. I have a whole paper of pins here. Allow me." And there be was upon his knees at my feet working away with professional dexterity and speed. I took it as evidence that he oould when in three days he found just the place he wanted and moved to it In this first tete-a tete she interrupted the story she bad begun about her first acquaintance with Mr. Wetherby by exclaiming: "But when I say I'd been doing dressmaking for years, that don't tell you anything. You don't know anything about it. You don't know anything about it." It was on Long Island and was half farmhouse, half old fashioned roadside tavern. It was within two miles of an ancient village, now brought low and become a summer watering place. It was on the Monday of Cassius' departure that Mrs. Mason came to see me about this same business. In her darkened consciousness the near and nearer approach of dread death itself was outweighed by the burden of this new sacrifice. 7. "The aona of Atbaltah, that wloked woman, had broken up the houae of Qod, and alao all the dedicated things of the houae of the Lord did tbay bestow upon Baalim." la there any danger of our taking thinga that belong to Ood and, like that wicked woman and her aona, giving them to Baalf Let Baal atand for all other lorda exoept the Lord JeauaChrist; then, If honest, would we not have to aay, "O Lord our Ood, other lorda bealde thee have had dominion over us" (Iaa. xxvi, 18). Whatever is given to aalt or the world of that whioh belonga to the Lord la like taking from the Lord to give to Baal. 8. "They made a obeat and art it without at the gate of the houae of the Lord." In II Kings xli, 9, It la aaid to have been placed bealde the altar on the right aide aa one oometh into the houae of the Lord. By oomparlng the two veraea we aee that it was done by Jeholada, the prieat, at the king's commandment. The altar suggeeta the aaorifloe, Qod'a love to ua, the coat of our redemption, the love of Chriat which constrainoth us to yield all we are and have oheerfully to Him. Giving ia easy when we oonaider Him who ao loved ua that He gave Hlmaelf for us. What can we give compared with Hla gift? 9. "And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection." This la wholly different from aendlng out the prieeta to gather It (versa 6). Thla la the Lord's way, the other ia man'a way. When the tabernacle waa to be built, proclamation waa made that all who were willing might bring their offerings, and the result was that ao much oame In that Moses had to oommand the people to stop bringing (Kx. xxxv, 89; xxxvl, 0, 7). It was the same willing spirit that provided for the temple (I Chron. xxix, 9). I believe that If people ware taught the privilege of giving because of God's great gift to them they would today give aa freoly aa in the days of Moses and of David. I have seen it and know it and have heard of the same spirit in other parishes, where the efforts to raise money were set aside and the people permitted to give willingly. 10. "And all the prlnoea and all the people rejoioed and brought in and caat into the cheat until they had made an end." David prepared for the temple with all hla might, beoauae he bad aet hla affection to the houae of hla God, and when the people gave he aaid,' Who am I, and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort, for sll things oome of Thee and of Thlneown have we given Thee" (I Chron. xxlx, 9, 8, 14). There Is that soattereth and yet increaseth. Every man, aooordlng aa he purposeth In hla heart, so let him give—not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver (a hilarious giver) (Prov. xi, 84; II Cor. Ix, 7). "I embroider a little myself," he said, "and I like to look at anything new in that lina The sale for tonight is the best this week. I think business is looking up. That's very pretty, very pretty. I have a great eye for colors. Well, we must be getting to supper if we are going to have any voioes tonight, mustn't we?" "I just wanted to speak to you a minute," she said, with embarrassed hesitancy, sitting down before me. Tfer act had an expression of half bushiest Yes, be was right that young man, when he said he could do a lot of things. He did them. The one he had made of his diplomacy in getting my watch did not exhaust it He entered his new boarding place on the regular footing, and that footing he made firm by paying his and Aunt Maggie's board in advance for two successive weeks. Then he successfully rearranged matters and defrayed his own expenses with his own labor. The queer, beautiful little friendship that was brightening her last days waa perhaps the poor beet wine in her sorry feast of life, and now even it gave its own special cruel sting to her loss—the loss of the embroidered gown. Then with a sort of solemn retrospective desperation she went on: "Miss Addington, I never learned dressmaking. 1 always hated to sew worse than anything in this world, but I was handy at it, and I liked to make my own clothes look nice, because I couldn't afford to have any one else do it for me. But it's one thing to make your own clothes and another—indeed it is another—to make other people's. I never did understand any sore way to make a fit —nothing about lots of things real dressmakers know. I had taste; that was alL I could do things others couldn't and make things look like pictures—when I had any lack. You ask any one that ever saw my work. That was the only reason I ever got anything to da "We were saying it most have been a very hard evening for you. You did wonderfully." The red and white paint was height ened in effect by a coquettish white veil, and her speech was more broken by coughing than usual She had that flat backed, slim figure which a 80-year-old possessor always believes to be youthful in effect, but only the dullest of observers could have been blind to the time wearied and labored oharaoter of Mrs. Mason's uprightness."I hope you'll think something more of it because Cassius did it," she said tome. "Ishould. Cassias don't always do just right I never was satisfied about his telling you he wanted to buy a trunk—you know I wasn't—but anyhow there are not many young men aa good as he is. He never bed any bad habits, and—and"—she began to cry weakly—"he's be6n so good to me, and we've had such pleasant times, talking about plays and things while be embroidered. I never had such pleasant times, and I've taken such an interest in every stitch." "No rehearsal at alL It was wonderful.""Why, Cassias, she has no umbrella." "Well, we've one big enough for three." As he and Mrs. Mason had only about ten lines between them in the night's play, this solicitude about voioe was an example of their disinterested artistic scrupulosity. "It's about Cassius," she continued after some encouragement—' 'about— you let him have your watch. Oh, it seems dreadful, but he did need the money I Only, Miss Addington, I must tell you I'm afraid Cassius did not tell you quite the truth about that money. I know he'll pay it back, but I wish he'd said what was just so about what be wanted with it Cassius iB good; he has no bad habits, but he doesn't always think it's wrong to tell things that are not exactly so, and I da I can't stand it He didn't want it for a trunk. He wouldn't take any we had. Ho said there was too little for me to be left with, and he might die, or something. He needed a lot of little things dread- With a loquacity and good nature too great to be quelled by a mouthful of pins Cassius kept up his part in a conversational duet till be had arranged my wet weather toilet to his mind. He was incredibly industrious, and before the late lingering colony of visitors left the village he gave an entertainment for their benefit and his own. "A tutti frutti entertainment" he called it on bills he painted with a brush. She dressed with a painstaking, inexpensive elaboration of details that showed she loved her clothes. But she was one of those not unoommon women whose love of personal adornment, to be understood aright, must be understood somewhat subtly. She had, as I soon learned, as little personal vanity and as little delusion as to her own natural oh arms as possible (you see, I do not say she bad none), but she loved beauty so passionately that she must, for the peace of her life, play at being better looking than she was, and it was necessary to this game that she exaggerated tbo power of art to help her. Mrs. Mason wss surely right in saying Cassias was not like other boys. He was a good looking, well made little fellow, but it seemed as if he must belong to some race or nationality of which I had seen no other specimen. His smooth, oval face and bright, dark eyes were not effeminate if he did have quick, mincing little ways and feminine accomplishments. He had not the smallest gift for acting, but sometimes his queer personality fitted small comio parts fairly well, as almost any queer personality sometimes will, and as he had a real gift for droll, brief mimicries be might have won success as a music hall lightning ohange artist Then, witb all possible care for my comfort, the two esoorted me to the hotefi the hotel where all the company were housed. Something of his situation, his care of the dying woman, had gotten noised about (I don't think he aimed tooonceal the facts), and the entertainment was, I wus told, in every sense a success. I knew of its attractions only by hearsay, for, though I was taking a late vaoation from city streets and dramatic agents and had established myself in the old tavern with my pair of players, I staid with Mrs. Mason while Cassius ministered to the public's amusement Mrs. Mason had now become so weak that she needed more care than Cassius could give her. I bad bad a good fire kept in my room, so I asked tbem to oome in with me and dry themselves. Theatrical people are apt to be reserved and indifferent witb any new unknown member The situation was certainly becoming intolerable, yet it was easier to disoover this than to find a way to mend it Here was I cast for a very Shylock and all my victim's moral nature involved in the determination to make me play the part Thank God, I have occasional lncid intervals in which I glimpse the unfathomable and invaluable depths of "I never cut into a fine piece of goods that I wasn't so giddy with fear that I thought I should faint. I'm absentminded, and I get mixed up so easy, and such awful accidents can happen in dressmaking, and it wasn't only cutting into it, it was the whole time any handsome thing was around I never drew a breath but in fear. That's a way to live, isn't it? You don't know anything about it I cut two side gores once for the same side, and it was brown brocaded velvet, and we never oould match it But I don't want to think about it Yes, of course, that's what every one said—learn a system, learn a system— and I've nothing to say back that doesn't sound silly, but after all one's own way " Well, toe must be getting to mipper." embroidery silks. But if they indulged in some remarkable extravagances it is plain, you see, that they were, in the main, most frugal, and they had had an energy and a lack in wresting money from managers at which I never ceased to marvel. Early in this our second interview she said, "I have a daughter, Florence— that's her name " When she said "Florence," my mind automatically answered, "Florence Mason," and as with the turning of a key I remembered a long ago had passed from my mind, as if to be forgotten forever. inconsistency and His mind was evidently of the smallest, about what one might expect in an irticulate squirrel, and, by the way, he was more like a squirrel than anything slse. Squirrellike, ho was brimming over with energy, and his little artistic sensibilities, limited as he was, were nevertheless keen and manifold. I speak of one financial revolution; there was but one. They had a purse in common, as if they were living in an ancient romance. They were blind in the modern view that this is a greater strain than friendship can stand. the human heart I have a profound belief in the superior wisdom bom of these qualities, and though my experience of them in Mrs. Mason may seem to contribute but slightly to sustain this faith I never elsewhere found them more to my mind. I could not break down her determination to pay Cassias' debt by any direct attack. 1 changed my tactics for the better plan of a transparent stroke, one warranted to deoeive only with the consent of the deceived. ' 'Cassius has finished the dress. It didn't show for half when you saw it" she told me on the instant of our meeting. She made him bring it for me to see and had it hung over a chair where she could caress it with hor thin hand. A whole history that It was this woman'* history, heard years before— the history of her most eventful and momentous years. Florence Mason, an airy, irresponsive young person, the kind one in shallow moments calls harmless, I had once chanced to know. She had a pretty voice, musical aspirations and a habit of talking about herself. During the fortnight in whioh she considered me a congenial soul (I am a good listener) she told me a great deal about her mind, her gifts, her nature, and incidentally her heredity. She said she owed her moral attributes to her mother, her power of self sacrifice and her sternness of principle—that her mother had sacrificed everything to principle. Arrived in New York they took rooms in neighboring lodging houses on South Washington square—for it happened they could uot find what they wanted in either one alone—and once having seen the possibility of establishing themselves near something green it was highly characteristic of them, inborn cockneys though they were, that nothing else would da I was invited to Mrs. Mason'a room the next day to see aomeof Cassius' embroidery. Ah oho always had the better and the larger room, it was used as their common sitting room, they explained. As Cassius coDdncted me thereto he was voluble in his delighted praise of onr star and manager's last histrionic performance. He had played the title role in the "Ticket of Leave Man" the night before. It had indeed been so solidly good aa to fill me with melancholy —melancholy at the sight of so much merit so ill rewarded—bat Cassias viewed it as reflecting honor upon all of as; as more evidence (little as more was needed) that we were a band of noble artists, superior in the nature of that title to all the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. As soon as I was alone with him Cassius said, tears filling his eyes as he spoke: "She knows she is going to dio, nnd she says she wants to be buried in that dress. I can't stand to hear her talk about it, but she told me that she's been so much company for me ever since I've known her, and she's given me so much good advice." I conferred with Oassius privately and told him I would take the gown, and the debt would be paid, but that when the end came—I found it hard to steel myself to speak of grisly details that the woman with the sublime resignation of the dying faced bravely—when we oould do nothing more for her, I should give it back to him to be used as she had wished. Then I told him that this was a confidential communication and that he was to betray it to Mrs. Mason at once, omitting only the fact that I had given this last command.' She must believe that I supposed my secret intentions successfully secretedAnd there he was upon hU knees, coming into a theatrical company, inhospitality, obvious or disguised, being always the natural result of continuously multiplied dealings with strangers, ao as we ranged ourselves about my rusty stove, speaking upon an unconsciously reasoned hypothesis, I said: Then, with an oil stove, a coffeepot, a stew pan and eight dishes, belongings that had seen service before and were taken ont of storage, they Bet up w aat is known to tho initiated as light housekeeping.And with this singular peroration of gratitude the boy broke down and sobbed. But he soon checked himself to tell me that he had sent for some more yellow embroidery silk and was going to embroider all the seams of the gown. I gave Mm my watch. folly, bat I wish he'd told yon all about It And now, Miss Addington, I can pay you that money, and we can get your watch right off. Yes, I can, and I feel as if I'd rather. It isn't as if you'd known just what you were doing when you gave it to hiin." Despite the woman's failing health, her dragging step and her cough, they were still, as Mr. Leroy had so bitterly complained, giddy and happy. To have freedom, freedom to talk about the theater as much as they liked, with none to mako them afraid, to be in a town full of billboards, seemed to fill their cap "She thinks it's as handsome as it can be, but it ain't I always keep having ideas come to me when I'm at work on anything like that" With this Incoming wave of artistic complacency he dried his eyes and quite cheerfully departed to split kindling wood. "Yon are new to this business. Ton won't take so much trouble about people when you've been longer on the road." Some people might have found it confusing to learn on top of all this and a great deal more that her mother was, in the daughter's phrase, a ' 'grass widow," now seeking to go upon the stage. But this announcement found me prepared to recognise that its general air did its subject injustice. I had heard the outlines of her story and had managed to gather from it some notion of the woman's simple and singular character, a character singular ouly in its simplicity, for the love of pleasure and the passion for moral uprightness that were its basis are surely the very stuff from which man and fate weave human destiny. It was because in this stray, witless bit of humanity this typical combination of forces was so uncomplicated by other issues that she was so interesting and ao touching. She felt no sense of inconsistency in her desires; she did not dream of pleasure and duty as things created to conflict; she was innocent of all such modern feeling, a feeling that penetrates so many souls even when they reject it as a doctrine. No; she was an interesting survival, a simple pagan who wanted all of life she could get, but who was ruled by her conscience. However, whether or not the last of life is neoessarily at war with the hunger and thirst after righteousness, this queer, tragic human experience mny be safely trusted to bring them to battle sooner or later. With Mrs. Mason the ooofliot had come both soon and late, early and often, yet without ever altering the original terms, the original simplicity of her attachment to each. So with her the new struggle was always the old typical one, unsoftened, uneased by any belief in the doctrine of self abnegation for its own sake. Both my visitors answered me. I had not thought of this middle aged woman as being new to anything, but with the boy she cried out, "Oh, we've had a good deal of experience.'1 "Indeed we're qnite old stagers," said he. "J haw a daughter, Florence. "I tell yon, it was great, great—good enough for any theater in New York. 1 tell you, I call this a high class company," he chattered away, uplifted with reflected glory. It was triumphs such as this that made life sweet to him and the ex-sewing woman, and yet there are people who imagine that the world of art can be cheerless. With all her fondness for Cassius it was useless to try to make Mrs. Mason share my surprised admiration of his shrewdness, his knowledge of human nature in asking me to help him to a bargain, and getting all my feminine prejudices on his Bide, instead of simply appealing to my reasonable gratitude and benevolence with the less dramatic facts of the case, but I was successful in persuading her to leave me Oassius' creditor. is best for oneself sometimes, or if it isn't best it's all you can da I've tried to make Florence see that when she finds fault with me. You see, I never could have learned a system so that it wouldn't have upset me more than 1 was upset Of course I learned a lot of things as I went along, but nothing ever could make me sure, because I never was meant to do that work. I could have designed things, just that, real well, but there wasn't any chance for my getting a place to work like that. Then— and you'll think this was terribly foolish, but it was the only way I kept alive all those years—I was always pretending to myself that something was going to happen, that I shouldn't have tp sew next year. If I'd given up playing that way to myself, I'd have died or gone mad, and there was Florence. Then I sold the lot. It was a little lot I bought once with $50 outside Ohicago, when they said the place, the village, was going to have a boom. It didn't, of course, but at last, after ten years, it did a little, and it had been growing some all the time, Cuid I sold the lot for $400, and then I stopped. I coo Idn 't have done another stitch. The doctor said it would kill me to run the machine any more anyhow. I hoped it would if I had to, though I'm afraid it was wicked to feel so. The next day Mrs. Mason had herself dressed in the robe of her heart, and with the ingenuity only known to women and drunkards contrived to command enough solitude and strength to paint her face in the old unholy fashion. She was gently pleased and proud of the results, but Cassius said to me privately that be was worried to see her dress up so. "She hasn't had it on before since it was finished," he explained. They both had a habit of speaking of the gown as "it," as if there could be but one substantive for that pronoun. "She wouldn't put it on when I asked her to. She just said—that was the time—that she wanted to be buried in it; that she always wanted to wear something like that, aud now she just wanted to think of weariug it forever. I'm afraid she feels worse today and won't say so." Surely this was a weak plot; but, aa a plan for pleasing eveiy one concerned, it was strong, and it succeeded. 1 don't know the fine ins and outs of Mrs. Mason's fixed crcdulity, but with that distinctly primitive, pagan feeling of hers I dare say my position as one who would be oontent to give her the desire of her heart, though she could not know it, looked possible. But indeed I do not think she thought much about it Her weary scruples once tripped in my little net, she was only too glad to be done at last with her lifelong struggle—the struggle between conscience and desire all are born to, but which broke my heart with a new piteous sublimity as I watched this foolish old child. Perhaps it was hardly with a moral victory that she at last escaped from this ' 'oral predicament" but how eloquently her compromise pleads the victories of the past) 11. "Thus they did day by day and gathered money in abundance." When the chest was full, they oounted it and put it up in bags and put the ohest In its plaoe again. Compare II Kings xii, 10. It was •o easy to thus gather it No one was asked to give. All gave as they were led, and no one knew but the Lord who gave louoh or little. Doubtless then, as when long afterward He sat over against the treasury, many who were poor gave more in proportion than some of the rioh. In the day of the rewards each one shall be recompensed aooording to his works (Rev. xxii, 18), and He who reads the heart will reward righteously. Cassius, during our journey and in the hnrly burly of arrival, had proved himself possessed of great gifts as a oourier, gifts that he exercised not only for Aunt Maggie and himself, but for me as welL I expected to stay in town all summer, and be had given me invaluable aid in re-establishing myself. He had run errands and driveu nails and hung pictures and hounded trades people —in short, he laid me nndcr great obligations in taking inuoh of the worst of life off my hands. Then I realized that here were indeed two novices, stage struck novioes. The company to which we belonged was a melancholy organisation. It played a "repertory," and it staid a week in towns that "combinations" and stars —real stars—leave in one night, and it visited places that such more fortunate He brought out various bits of handiwork, but the thiug I was really summoned to behold was a satin gown, cut out, not made, and in process of ornamentation. It was a dark wine color, and Cassius was embroidering it—embroidering it pretty much all over in shaded yellows and orange. It was, so far as the embroidery went, a genuinely curious and beautiful piece ot work, as distinctly good as if it had come from the hands of an unoorrupted American Indian or an oriental rugmaker. What earthly use it oould be in that shape unless as a studio property was another question and more than I could guess. It was soon clear that Mrs. Mason's share of the luck so often referred to bad deserted her. mummers neglect altogether. The bill was changed at every performance, taking oar sojourn in one town, and nine or more performances were given in the week. In short we were a "snide" company. We represented theatrical life in one of the least glittering phases. The play constructed around the mob was withdrawn, and, as I feared, she found no further demand for "extra" ladieB of her age. She said to me that if only the satin gown were finished she thought she might get a place on its merits. As Cassias had taken various small parts of the beloved garment to embroider during his wanderings, like a modern Ulysses and Penelope rolled into one, this hallucination was safe from rpde destruction, and I had small oonscience about encouraging it I saw it was comforting. 18. "And the king and Jebolada gave it to such as did the work of the servioe of the bouse of the Lord." The money is first provided, and then the work is carried on. When the Lord would send His servants, Joseph and Mary, down to Egypt He first provided the gold that was necessary through the wise men who oame from the east When He wants anything done, He always provides for it fully. When anything seems as if it ought to be done and there is nothing to do it with, either it is not the Lord's work or it is not the time to do it But when His work is done in His way and in His time all is easy. How few aia found as faithful as these men into whose hands the money was given and no reokonlng kept (II Kingsxtl, IS). It was all done out of simple goodness of heart and pleasure in exercising his powers, aud of course my relations with himself and Mrs. Mason were now fixed. Soon they came to me for a grave consultation. They were thinking of eking out this income by seeking positions us stage supernumeraries—supes was the word used in our conversation. The point was, Did I think this course, if most secretly managed, would hurt tbeir professonal position and prospects? Their professional position and prospects I 1 didn't think it would. Nevertheless be knows little of show folk who would assume the absence of good talent among us. We, like many another such bankrupt organisation, were headed by an excellent, solidly trained old actor. He was our star and our manager, and, "down on his lock" as be was, I had been glad to join his company for the experience I oould get out of it 1 already had enough experience to know that there was little prospect of any other compensation from him. This being my position, I hastily so explained it to Mm Mason and Mr. W ether by, hoping to soothe their feelings by calling myself a novice. They exchanged glances of satisfaction at the Cassius had waylaid me in a hall to confide his fears, and when I returned to Mrs. Mason I fancied there was indeed a new melancholy in her mood. In her glowing raiment she was sitting, propped with pillows, looking out of the window at the level, sunny, autumn landscape. Surely an audienoe of happy gods, watching our "blind and blundering race," must have reversed all other decisions at last and declared the tired sewing woman a pleasing player, must have found her demonstrating anew the endless diverting possibilities of their rich entertainment Of course it belonged to Mrs. Mason, and she took it in her thin, knotted hands and tossed it this way and held it that with a gusto that showed how powerless was even dressmaking to kill her love of finery. Bat lack of employment was not Mrs. Mason's worst trouble now. She was becoming &C1 the time weaker and Bicker. Yet uhe seemed happy, and when occasionally I managed to take her to the theater, no matter what the play or whom the players, her poor wrinkled, plastered old face beamed with unclouded joy. She would smother her cough in her handkerchief and forgetting her habitual economy recklessly squander her gloves in indiscriminate applause. 1 must add that she took an apologetic tone about this habit, but appealed to me to say if it was not very pleasant to applaud when one wus pleased. "You see," she said, "out in Illinois the ladies hardly ever do applnud. At least they didn't use to. They didn't seem to think it was ladylike, and I always wanted to so!" "This is for the watteau plait, and there are the angel sleeves," she explained. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Not so much beautiful either as gorgeous. That's why I love it so. It's what I call dramatic—dramatic color, you know. It's the dramatic I love everywhere." Then it came out that the thing was already done—they were engaged for a new piece. It was to be adorned with an exceptionally accomplished mob, and they were to be part of the mob. Now, at the last, their fears for the cherished professional position and prospects had made them hesitate. After a long silence, without turning her eyes indoors, she said: 18. "So the workmen wrought, and th« work vu perfected by tbeni, uud tbey Hut the boose of God in his state and strengthened it" The next verse says that tbe work was finished, and they bad a surplus of money. There is no straitness in the Lord's provision. He does exceeding abundantly. There is a bouse now being builded, the church of God, the body of Christ, and many are seeking in many ways to gather money to do the work, and there is a lack of funds and many bindranoea."That money Cassius owes you—he hasn't ever paid any of it?" The fall was well advanced when on her, costumed to her mind, the enrtain fell. "Then I raid to myself I'd go on the stage. Yon cun't think, Mjhh Addington, how well and young and happy it made me feel for a minute just to say that over to myself, though, of course, 1 felt bad enough that it should worry Florence so. Then, after another silence: "No; of course he hain't had auy chance. I'm the one that owes it really." Caseins, the tide in his affairs having flowed and ebbed, again took np his fight with fortune in the despised ranks of the supernumeraries. This was not such a bad bit of characterisation. Mrs. Mason, you see, in the line of her likes, had her perceptions. My reply she showed no sign of hearing. Out of her own thoughts she spoke again, at last turning upon me the iixed gaze of a definite determination. I brought up my old argument and said I thought the mob would add to their experience, and, as before, they rapturously argued that that was the view to take. THE END. "That's just what I've told Aunt Mag," said Cassius. "Cassius and 1 think yon can't have too much experience,'' aaid Aunt Mag, continuing: "We come for experience too. Mr. Leroy isn't altogether what I'd wish in some respeots." ' 'I just work at it odda and ends ol time," (JaBsius remarked with an assumption of indifference and a reality of bursting prida Two Women'* Lives. Hemething of all this I had gathered even from the daughter's tale. "I always was wild about the stage. Even when I had Florence at boarding school, and the bills were awful, I'd stint myself on things—I didn't care if it was food—and get a cheap seat once in a great while and go to the theater. That gave me such u rest it gave me new heart I forgot everything while I was there, and then I could go on awhile again. Then I met Caseius, as I told you, and he wus all alone in the world, and so was I, except for Florence, but Florence was so against everything about the stage, and she was so afraid her pupils would bear about me, and of course that was right, but Cassius was wild about the theater, and he was so kind to me. He'd go my errands, and as long as he was in that house where I had my rooms he'd build my fire for me cold mornings; he would do it He was so good every way, and we just talked our hearts out about plays and actors and dramatic things. He said it was a son I needed, und he'd try to make out to be a nephew anyhow. He began to oall me Aunt Maggie, and we've managed our plans together ever sinoe. I suppose people wouldn't think I could have a real friend in a boy like that but if ever there was a friendship we have it and it's been such a comfort to me you can't think. I've always been an lonely. And I try to take an interest tkiUWtm sUnt mut I mw UD "I've thought of a way to pay it. I guess you'll think it's—I guess you'll like my idea. Cassius made this dress for me. It's mine, and I'll give it to you for the debt" Two babes wore burn in the selfsame town When Florence was about 4 years old, Mrs. Mason bad discovered that her husband was cheating a poor family In a sale of land. Of his integrity ■be bad bad doubts before, but when abe made this discovery and could doubt no more she took a oour*e that seems to have presented itself to her mind as the only one possible. With a singular observance of feminine mistiness as to masculine business abe simply took her child in ber arms, and with nothing in her pocket left him at once and forever. The significance at this act remains dubious until we learn tbat although all this happened in Illinois in the days of the famous easy divorce laws, Mrs. Mason never sought a divorce or tolerated with patienoe any suggestion that she should have one. The husband, by the way, went to California, wnere it appears be never felt any need of legal freedom. He was never heard of any more, so we are not to be bothered with him. "Daly puts his extra people on the list of his company," Cassius informed me, with great satisfaction. "Thestage manager is going to take just as much pains with the mob as with the—the other actors," said Mrs. Mason, stumbling over the chanoe of denying themselves the beloved title. On the very same bright day; The; laughed and cried in their mothers' artnb In the very selfsame way. NATlS-^gg ■T of the Globe foe f RHEUMATISM,! I and «imCl»TOomplainta, ■ and prepared under the atrlngcnt LGERMAN MEDICAL LAWS,^ prescribed by eminent phyrioianir^^l Kn) DR. RICHTER'S (Km B*'" ANCHOR "*32 fPAIN EXPELLERl I Worldreaowned! Remarkably snccettful! ■ ■Only genuine with Trade Mark" Anchor. ■P. id. Kfchtef *00., 215 PeariSt., New York. ■ 31 HlfiNEST AWARDS. ■ 13 Branch Home*. Own Glauworkt. ■ B HalHui «.C—C ul !».■■■«CDC kj ■ I'iKRKK a rtt'K, W Iwm M.UHLH'K, W N«rth Htrwl, 1. H. HOICK, 4 Bartk a«lD St. FITTSTON, I ** ANCHOR" gTOMACIUl best tor I I Oolte1Ppyejgi«A8«—Oi C—tpl.to..! "What parts do you think it would be nice for?" Mrs. Mason questioned. And both were pure and Innocent Ah falling flakes of «now, But one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the htreet below. "This is between ourselves, of oourse," put in Cassius There was a poser. The part was never written that that gown, with its barbaric splendor of color and its common conventional cut, would suit, but I could not hesitate—I had not the heart— so I declared it a creation fitted for Fedora. When the words were out of my mouth, I felt the cruelty of them. Fedora was hardly a part that even these children of hope could expect fortune to throw in Mrs. Mason's way. But, as usual, 1 did injustice to their disinterested fascination with all that relates to acting. The crucified triumph of her inflections told her feeling that I'd come off "Oassius, Miss Addington is a lady, and a lady of discretion," Mrs. Mason certified with an astuteness equally surprising and gratifying. "He some- Her emancipation from sewing and from such uncongenial conventionalities as forbade ejpression of her love foi things theatrical seemed enough to make her last steps to the grave brighter than all her life before. For, as yon have foreseen, to the grave she was soon to coma Two children played in the selfsame town, And the children both wore fair, But one had curls brushed smooth and round. The other had tangled hair; The children both grew up apaoe. As other ohildren grow. But one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the Htreet below. I thought to myself that he would certainly have to take a great deal more. The public does not need to be informed that "supea" are not usually brilliant, and I reflected, further, that if the zeal of my friends did not too fai conserve their discretion their superioi qualities might possibly win them valuable good will. times nses profane language, Miss Addington, and—but I won't talk about it I don't wish to gossip, bat he is a first rate stage manager, isn't be, Cassius? We feel that we have learned a great deal in this engagement don't we?" Two maidens wrought in the selfsame towa. And one was wedded and loved, The other saw through the curtain's part The world where her sister moved, And one was smiling, a happy bride, The other knew oaro and woe, For one of them lived in the terraced house And one in the street below. It is curious, by the way, considering that there all life's stories must finally end, how conventional a goal it seems in story telling. Cassius did, and he also reminded Mrs. Mason that it was late and that I was tired, and be told me that it just ruined Aunt Maggie not to have ber sleep. "I'll have to bring her breakfast up to her now. They close the dining room so early. They don't show the consideration they ought to professional people." They were charmed with my observation. They looked at each other and nodded.Their luck—that sovereign factor in all things theatrical—was still amazingly good. The dumand for old women as "extra ladies" is commonly small, indeed, but in a mob, you see, all sorts are needed, and in such a very swell mob as this was to be talent must have some chanoe to shine, for here was a place where Cassius and Mrs. Mason must by comparison be called talented. But, as it happens, the small events I have started ont to relate culminated only as my friends took their parts in the universal tragedy and as always that tragedy brings out as no other setting could all the touching helplessness and sweetness of their dingy, stumbling, little lives. Two women lay dead in the selfsame town. And one had had tender care. The other was left to die alone On her pallet all thin and bare. And one had many to mourn her loss. For the other few tears would flow, For one had lived in the terraced house And one in the street below. * "There, that's just what I said!" cried one. "It's just in the spirit of Fedora!" ex claimed the other. I was glad they did not further press the question as to where Mrs. Mason was going to wear it. I congratulated Mrs. Mason on ber prospect of breakfast in bed. Tbat troth brought forth more conversation: "No, my mother always said she was a married woman; that you oouldn't'be married but once, it seemed to her, but she couldn't, she just couldn't. If you knew ber, you'd know she really oouldu't live with a man who cheated people, fHmliriy poor people. She just pick- She wm sitting, propped with pillows. well in this bargain, so I answered that the dress was worth a sDreat deal more than $10, as indeed * was, could one ever find the place in which it was worth anything. If Josus, who died for the rich and the poor In wondrous holy love, Took both the sisters in his arms And carried them above, Then all the differences vanished quite, For iu heaven none would know Which of them lived In the terraced house And which in the street below. "Oh, Miss Addington, he is so good tome. I don't know—I suppose I'd have been sewing in Chicago yet if he hadn't —ma, I wonWn't I'd have Ilia list .? mlhthwsiaiJsaHl— jwi," Mrs. Mason was not quite as devoid of dramatic gifts as was Cassius, but she might as well have been an utter ■tick for all the eood her eanaoitv to feel a weMwnl4 ever do her. Tne nian- My best hopes were more than met An astute creature, half manager, half newspaper man, saw my pair and discovered that he had a use for Cassius. He was about to seek public favor for a ■bow ut hi* own (he afterward advue- Cassius did well on the road. The entertainment, with no literary merit and no plot, fulfilled its purjiose and pleased a number of people. Cassius' share in ite success, as we karned from his letters. oovered huu with alorg. «Q»» Miners- savings bank, _ or PlTTSTOB. Interest paid on Deposits twice a year. General banking business done. A. A. BBYDEN, President 0. U BIUIUI. Caikter. ■—hi* f»fo—»'i»l iartinote nun "Yes. I know." assented Mrs. Ma- —Chioago Tribune.