To Merry’s surprise the night before, the opening night, several handsome bouquets of flowers had been handed to him over the footlights, and one had been thrown at his feet from a box. He saw the person who threw the flowers, in acknowledgment of which he had bowed a bit and smiled, and he observed that she was a decidedly handsome young woman.
To his further surprise, he afterward discovered a slip of paper attached to the bouquet, and on the paper were written Portia’s words, “If you do love me, you will find me out!”
Frank had looked on this as something of a joke, but now, on receiving his morning mail, he was astonished to find in it no less than four “mash notes.”
“It’s evident you have made a hit with the fair sex in this city, Merry,” said Bart.
“He does that ev’rywhere, by gum!” grinned Ephraim; “but they don’t seem quite so forrud in some places. I ruther guess he hit ’em harder than usual here.”
“Here’s one that is a prize!” exclaimed Merry. “Poor girl! She should take a course at a good grammar school.”
He handed the note over to Bart. This is what Hodge read:
“Deer Mr. Merrywall.
“Deer Sur: I seen you last night at the Theeatur, and i was Stuck on you right Hard, you Bet. you are All Right. I never seen Nobody cud touch you When it cums to Good axting. I am Only 17 year Old, but i haiv alwus Wanted to go ontew the stayge. i Would like to Play a Part like cassie Lee plays. i Do wisht you hed a Chanc for me in Your compny. you Are so handsum. oh i cud Love a Man Like you with all my Harte. I Will bee out side of The stayge Doar when you Go in to night. i have Golden hare, and ware a Red hat, with a White fether in it. You will kno Me by that.
“Maggie M.”