The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-06-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Reynolds Miscellany
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By ELIZABETH DAVIES.
"Thank goodness this is the last
week Of the pantomime %
"You don't say SO? Well. that is a
comfort, at any rate. We shall get rid
of those odious stranger-girls. who are
always hanging about the wings, and
thrusting their noses where they are
no, wanted"
That is something to rejoice at, in.
deed. / don't object to our own ballet
ladies'; but to have these extras in
truding into the room. spying
about and listening to every word that
is said, l declare it is quite insuterable I!
-posiIivelv. quite -
The scene where this co'loquy was
going on was the green-room of one of
the leading metropolitan theatres. The
interlocu,ors were principals. as the
term goes, and, by virtue of drawing
from the treasury--the one fif cen
pounds per week for enacting walking
ladies. and the other six for delivering
messages-they conceived themselves
entitled to be as-insoent as they pleased
to the unhappy girls, many of whom
possessed far superior talent, but who
were obliged to be content to gain week
ly as many shill'ngs as those clever
ladies took pounds. ...-.s-..-s-.
It is true thar both had somewhat,
suddenly risen from the state they so
much despised, per favor Of a friend,
to the proud position they at present
occupied /; and though dramatic critics
might demur to their claims. they Ger.
tainly obtained the 'reward of merit"
Time had somewhat defaced their
charms, and remembrance of their early
struggles. yet it had lef. them theknow.
ledge of the vulnerable point at which
their young associates might be most
easily wounded; and never had the
axiom that knowledge is power" been
more aptly illustrated, than in the deal
ing out of their envenomed darts.
One of those pariahs of the dramatic
tribe-a ballet girl-was at the same
moment leaning her head upon her
clasped hands. which rested upon the
mantlepiece. She had sought the apart
ment to be alone with her thoughts, and
as she stood there alone she forgot the
scene around her, and saw. in her men
tai vision, the sad and desolate home,
where she knew that the announcement
of the withdrawal Of the piece would
bring tears and CONSERVATION. She
knew that upon her rested vast amount
of responsibility. for she had at home
parents sick and almost destitute. She
was fragile girl, and she hated the
profession to which poverty, and not
her will consented There was look of
deep anxiety in her eyes-and her face,
but for the rouge she wore. would have
been pale as marble; even though that
there was an expression of deep anxiety
that suited i'll with her girlish years.
She started, as the voices of the ladies
aroused her from her reverie; and as
she became aware of the nature of the
conversation that was going on so near
her, a bright flush suffused her neck,
and mounted even to her brow.
"Do you hear yourself called to 90
on the stage, Miss Odell ?" rudely
inquired the prompter. shuffling past,
spectacles in one hand and his book in
the other.
"I am here. sir.''
"Herel yes, see you are here, and
! shall fine you for talking at the wings.
Here. indeed How dare you answer
me? I've taken care you shan't be
here much longer. We shall get rid
of the whole pack Of you. Friday night
will BE- your last night; and you'll find
your treasury pretty small on Saturday.
| have you all down for fine your
whole weeks salary!-every one set
Of" What elegant arpellation he was
about to apply was suspended by the ap-
proach of an exquisite ofrank, who fan
cied himself desperately in love with
the object Of this unprotoked attack.
The peer eyed him for moment, con.
temptuously, through his glass;
Whats that you are saying about a
fine, sir -
The prompter muttered, and bowed.
bah bah 1! What's the damage ?"
Then. without waiting for a replay.
daintily drawing sovereign from his
vest, 'Will that pay it! If it will.
take yourself of. and don't annoy lady
with your impertinence."
''Lst me beg your lordship will put
up your purse. / am not in the habit
OF received favors from strangers.
"Stwangers nav l--naw |! Nav
don't be cwuel. my deawest cweature !!
Pom my life, it's enough to bweak a fsl-
lows heart. when you know that am
waiting to thwow my whole fowtune at
your feet. lam weally suwpwised that
you pwefer to wemain in this detestable
position. when evewy happiness that
wealth and love can command wait
youaw acceptance"
my lord" said the girl. proudly.