The $500 Check — page 261: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

249 THE $500 CHECK. secure a little gir] from the abuse of a tyranni- caloldwoman. He recited his lines with spirit; and so enlisted the sympathies of those pres- ent by his manly bearing that he received a tribute cfapplause. The scene caine 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 bcfore the curtain, leading Maud by the hand. Bow to the audi- ence.”’ Bert was a little bewildered, but followed di- rections. The corner of the curtain was moved aside, and Bert walked across the stage, lead- ing little Maud (who was a daughter of the leading actress) by the hand. Children are al- ways 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 your- self an actor.”’ | In the fourth and last act Bert went on the stage in hisstreetdress. His circumstances and EGomichooks