88 Union Square Jim 



to love to stand at the entrances and see the actions 

 of his friend upon the stage. During the entire 

 act Jim lay beside the prompter's box watching Miss 

 Blank's every movement. Laughter, tears, pleadings, 

 and denunciations did not affect him, for did he not 

 know it was ' all in the play ' ? The climax of the 

 act and of the play was reached, and the first bell for 

 the falling curtain rung. Miss Blank swept majestic- 

 ally before the footlights, emphasizing by every move- 

 ment her effect upon the audience. As she did so, 

 the delicate lace of her train touched one of the gas 

 jets. The thin- tissue blazed up quickly and the flame 

 ran along the bottom of the skirt. So absorbed were 

 actors and audience with the play that the accident 

 was not discovered, but the quick eyes of Jim saw 

 the first tiny flame. In spite of his training, forgetful 

 of everything at the sight of the fire, he sprang upon 

 the stage and pounced down upon the creeping fire 

 as he would upon a mouse. Right and left flew his 

 nimble paws. A tongue of flame that had fastened 

 upon a silk ruffle was extinguished by one sweep of 

 his little body. It singed the hair upon the poor 

 fellow's sides, but he never flinched for a second. 



