The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-04-08
Il FL Il b A L L EFT GIRL.
"Thank goodness this is the last week {
the pantomime !"


the pantomime !"
"You don't say so9 Well that is a CON-
fort, at any rate. We shall get rid of those
odious stranger girls who are always hang.
ing about the wings and thrusting their
noses where they are not wanted"
THAT is something to rejoice at, indeed.
don't object to our own ballet ladies but
to have these "extras" intruding into the
green room, spying about and listening 10
every word that is said, declare it is quite
insufferable! positively quite!'
The scene where this colloquy was going
on was the green room Of one of the leading
metropolitan theatres. The interlocutors
were principals, as the term goes, and, by
virtue OF drawing from the treasury-the
one, fifteen pounds per week for enacting
walking ladies'; and the other six, for de.
livering messages-they conceived them
selves entitled to be as insolent as they
pleased to the unhappy girls, many of whom
possessed far superior talent but we're
obliged to be content to gain weekly as
many shillings as those clever ladies took
pounds.
1t is true 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 dram.
attic critics might demur to their claims,
they certainly obtained the "reward o.
merit" Time bad somewhat defaced their
charms and the remembrance of their early
struggles, yet it mad left them the knowl-
edge of the vulnerable points Of which their
young associates might be most easily
wounded; and never had the axiom that
knowledge is power" been more ap,ly H.
Illustrated, than in the dealing out Of their
envenomeI darts.
One of those parial.s of the dramatic
tribe--a ballet girl-was at the same mo-
ment leaning her head upon her clasped
hands, which rested on the mantlepiece.
She had sought The apartment to be alone
with her thoughts, and as she forgot the
scene around her, and saw, in her mental
vision. the sad and desoa,e 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 ut home parents sick and almost
destitute. She WAS fragile girl, and she
mated the profession to which poverty, but
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 suit
ed i'll with her girlish years. She started
as the voices of the ladies' aroused her from
her reverie and she became aware of the
nature OF the conversation that was going
on near her, bright flush suafused her
neck; and mouted even to her brow.
"Do you hear yourself called to 90 on
the stage, Miss OdelI9" rudely inquired the
pronpter, shutting past his spectacles in
one hand, and his book in the other.
81 all here, sir."'
Here! yes, see you are here, and shall
fine you for talking at the wings. Here,
indeed !! How dare you answer mea 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 act
d." What elegant appellation be
was about to apply was suspended by the
approach Of an exquisite Of rank, who fah-
cied himself desperately in love with the
object Of this unprovoked attack.
The peer eyed him a moment, contemp.
tuously through his glass. "What's that
you are saying about fine, sira"
The prompter muttered, and bowed.
"Bah! Bah /! What's the damage?" Then
without waiting for reply, dainty draw
ings sovereign from, his vest "Will that
pay it' If it will take yourself of, and
don't annoy lady with your impertin.
ence."
Let me beg your lordship will put up
your purse. I am not in the habit of re-
ceiving favors from strangers"
strangers 9-naw2 naw7 nav, don't be
cwue', my deawest cwsaturef-'Pon my
life. it's enough to bweak a fellows heart,
when you know that am waiting to throw
my whole fowtune at youw feet. am
weally suwpwised that you pwefsr to we.
main in this detestable position, when
ewewy happiness that wealth and love can
command wait youw acceptance"
my lord" said the girl proudly, "there
can be no happiness for me, except associa.
ed with virtuea' 'n~" aa
"Now. my deaw cweataw." began the
peer; but by this time Miss Odell was pre-
pairing to take her,plaoe in the ballet. The
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