his part. A part of this was to rescue a little girl from the abuse of a
tyrannical old woman. He recited his lines with spirit; and so enlisted
the sympathies of those present by his manly bearing that he received a
tribute of applause. The scene came just at the close of the second act,
and when the curtain fell there was prolonged hand-clapping. Bert did
not know what it meant, but Orville came up to him, and said; "Go before
the curtain, leading Maud by the hand. Bow to the audience."

Bert was a little bewildered, but followed directions. The corner of the
curtain was moved aside, and Bert walked across the stage, leading
little Maud (who was a daughter of the leading actress) by the hand.
Children are always well received, and there was plenty of applause.

When Bert reappeared behind the scenes, Orville said, "Barton, you did
yourself proud! Keep it up when you appear again in the fourth act, and
you may consider yourself an actor."

In the fourth and last act Bert went on the stage in his street dress.
His circumstances and his social position were supposed to have
improved.

At the close of the performance Orville introduced Bert to the different
members of the company.

"Do you mean to say you have never acted before?" asked Mr. Pearson.

"This is my first appearance on any stage," said Bert with a smile.

"Then you have done yourself great credit. I was myself trained at
Wallack's Theatre, but had been a year on the boards before I could
acquit myself as well as you."

"Thank you. I have done better than I expected."

"You more than filled Hazleton's place."

"Has he been long with you?"

"A year."

Bert felt this was indeed praise, that on his first appearance he should
have equaled a boy with a year's experience.

"Of course you will play with us the balance of the week?" said
Pearson.

"If you wish me to do so."

"What salary will you expect?" Bert smiled.

"I hardly know what will be a fair price to ask."

"We will give you the same salary that Hazleton received, fifteen
dollars a week, and you pay your own board. Is that satisfactory?"

Bert opened his eyes. Fifteen dollars a week seemed to him a large sum,
for evening work. He found afterward that he was expected to appear at
rehearsal; but even with this additional duty, the post appeared to him
an easy one.

"I accept the terms," he said.

"All right; where are you boarding?"

He gave the address.

"Please be at the theat