egs and can only walk
with crutches, so he put his arm around her and her son lifted her from
the other side and then brought her to her feet, both crying like
children. You could hear the people sobbing, it was so still. She
said, "Ladies and Gentleman," looking at the stalls and boxes, then she
turned her head to the people on the stage below her and said,
"Brothers and Sisters," then she stood looking for a long time at the
gallery gods who had been waiting there twenty hours. You could hear a
long "Ah" from the gallery when she looked up there, and then a "hush"
from all over it and there was absolute silence. Then she smiled and
raised her finger to her bonnet and said, "Thank'ee, sir," and sank
back in her chair. It was the most dramatic thing I ever saw on a
stage. The orchestra struck up "Auld Lang Syne" and they gave three
cheers on the stage and in the house. The papers got out special
editions, and said it was the greatest theatrical event there had ever
been in London.

DICK.

CHAPTER XI

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

When the news reached Richard that the Spanish-American War seemed
inevitable he returned at once to New York. Here he spent a few days
in arranging to act as correspondent for the New York Herald, the
London Times, and Scribner's Magazine, and then started for Key West.

Off Key West--April 24th, 1898.
On Board Smith, Herald Yacht.

DEAR MOTHER:

I wrote you such a cross gloomy letter that I must drop you another to
make up for it. Since I wrote that an hour ago we have received word
that war is declared and I am now on board the Smith. She is a really
fine vessel as big as Benedict's yacht with plenty of deck room and big
bunks. I have everything I want on board and The Herald men are two
old Press men so we are good friends. If I had had another hour I
believe I could have got a berth on the flag ship for Roosevelt
telegraphed me the longest and strongest letter on the subject a man
could write instructing the Admiral to take me on as I was writing
history. Chadwick seemed willing but then the signal to set sail came
and we had to stampede. All the ships have their sailing pennants up.
It is as calm as a mirror thank goodness but as hot as hell. We expect
to be off Havana tomorrow at sunset. Then what we do no one knows.
The crew is on strike above and the mate is wrestling with them but as
it seems to be only a question of a few dollars it will come out all