“You may be sure that that night the public took the variety theater by storm; every seat was filled; the very aisles were crowded with men standing; the beer flowed in streams and the tobacco-smoke rose in clouds; the establishment was doing a splendid business.  Christina was down on the bills for three solos.  Each one was a triumph—­encore followed encore—­and when the performance closed the little singer was called before the curtain and another Danae shower of silver and gold, and some bouquets, fell around her.  When I went behind the scenes I found the happy girl surrounded by even a larger circle of admirers than the night before, each one sounding her praises.  I called the manager aside.  He knew me well as a rich young spendthrift.  I said to him: 

“‘How much a week do you pay Christina?’

“‘I promised her,’ said he, ‘five dollars a week; but,’ and here he looked at me suspiciously, ’I have determined to double it.  I shall pay her ten.’

“‘That is not enough,’ I said; ’you will find in her a gold mine.  You must pay her fifty.’

“‘My dear sir,’ he said, ‘I cannot afford it.  I really cannot.’

“‘Well,’ said ’I will speak to Jobson [a rival in business]; he will pay her a hundred.  I saw him here to-night.  He has already heard of her.’

“‘But,’ said he, ’she has contracted with me to sing for three months, at five dollars per week; and I have permitted her to take home all the money that was thrown on the stage last night and to-night.  Now I shall pay her ten.  Is not that liberal?’

“‘Liberal!’ I said; ’it is hoggish.  This girl has made you two hundred dollars extra profit to-night.  She is under age.  She cannot make a binding contract.  And the money that was thrown to her belongs to her and not to you.  Come, what do you say—­shall I speak to Jobson?’

“‘What interest have you in this girl?’ he asked, sullenly.

“‘That is no matter of yours,’ I replied; ’if you will not pay her what I demand, to-morrow night she will sing for Jobson, and your place will be empty.’

“‘Well,’ said he, ’I will pay it; but I don’t see what right you have to interfere in my business.’

“‘That is not all,’ I said; ’go to her now and tell her you have made a good deal of money to-night, by her help, and ask her to accept fifty dollars from you as a present; and tell her, in my hearing, that she is to receive fifty dollars a week hereafter.  The family are very poor, and need immediate help.  And besides, if she does not know that she is to receive a liberal salary, when the agents of the other houses come for her, she may leave you.  Fair play is the wisest thing.’

“He thought a moment; he was very angry with me; but finally he swallowed his wrath, and pushed his way through the crowd to where Christina stood, and said to her with many a bow and smile: 

“’Miss Christina, your charming voice has greatly increased my business to-night; and I think it only fair to give you a part of my profits—­here are fifty dollars.’