The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-09-13
written for the Clarion
ABGENA PIT T;
OR,
USKxowN DEvOTION
nr MISS c. coR1NNE LESTER.
CHAPTER XI.
aAccnrsed iealonsv !

blDulOii IL iAAo ~ -
And murders all ii meets Cursed be its
rage
Re all those easy fools who give it harbor
Who turns a monster loose among mankind,
Fiercer than famine, war, or spotted pestl-
lence;
Baneful as death, and horrible as hell
ROice.
Thursday night came, the theater
opened without Mademoiselle Marie.
Miss Foote playing the part of Julia,
and Gena the part of Helen.
Could the public have seen and felt
that the actress before them, sustain
ing the role of Helen, was the pure
and innocent being that she was, how
astonished they would have been; in
deed think that it would have been
quite impossible to have made them
understand that Miss Josephine, an
actress of travelling show company,
was child Of purity, one raised in the
lap of wealth, and until within few
short weeks the petted darling and
worshipped beauty of refined and
elegant circle in the most fashionable
society, forced by cruel fate to aban-
don her home of ease, and seek her
own livelihood.
After Lucy had finished dressing
Gena, she looked truly angelic, her
white robe of muslin, the emblem of
purity, hoated around her perfect
form, giving her clOud-like look, so
soft and ethereal her face wore sad
expression, but her dreamy eyes were
filed with a sweet innocence, which
gave to her countenance tranquil, Sc
rene look, a look Of trust and truth.
Long before any one had arrived at
the Hall, Gena was dressed; her mind
was calm, and fixed upon her present
precarious position she felt that she
had a great duty resting upon her, to
rightly portray the beautiful character
of Helen.
Her admiration for all that was
lofty and sublime, assumed almost
the form of idolatry; she had a true
and worthy ambition to rise to emf
nence in the profession which she had
chosen, but she only dreamed of the
drama as something divine, and dear
lv loved all who make it their study.
Who would believe that in the rough
dressing room of a theateI, was a
young girl scarcely eighteen, Offering
up to her Maker prayer, asking his
aid and protection to sustain her IN
the trying position of life which she
had been forced to fill.
III
temptation. "-Bernard.
Kneeling by the side of her rich
dressing stand was Gena, with her
small white hands softly clasped to-
gether, whispering this simple bet
earnest prayer to her Maker:
! Il come to thee, my Heavenly Faith
err, for consolation and strength
Keep me ever in the right path leading
to your Heavenly Home"
Gena had just spoken the last words,
when Miss FOote came into the room :;
she at once saw that Gena was in the
attitude of prayer. Miss Foote rudely
laughed, and said:
''Well done Miss Saint, so we are to
have something new, | suppose you
are going to introduce us to a praying
| Helen, ha, ha ~
Gena made no answer to this rude,
and wicked remark, but turning to
Lucy, said:
''Lucy, you had better stay in this
room, to be ready to help me change
my dress"
'Well 1 guess Miss Niger will
mind me on that subject said Miss
Foote: II desire you, Lucy, to assist
me, and always do as tell you, things
are coming to a pretty pass if No0iceS
are going to mOnopOlize the dressing
maid of the theatre"
Lucy, always accustomed to remain
quiet when white people were talking,
said nothing until Miss Foote had
| finished, she then replied:
'Miss Foote, | am not the dressing
maid to all the company. Mr.. Master
said was only to dress and wait on
Madamosielle Marie, and that tonight
/ was only to dress and wait on Miss
4 Josephine"
"Shut up your mouth, you niger,
| screamed out Miss Foote: Il will
soon see who you are to dress"
She left the room hastily. Gena
now turned to Lucy, and said in almost
a commanding tone:
Lucy, for my sake, have no words
with that woman; do whatever she
tells you until Madamosielle Marie
/ comes"
Miss Foote soon returned, her face
all wreathed in triumphant smiles, she
walked up to Lucy and staring her in
the face, said:
Miss Lucy Niger, you are to dress
me, and only do what I bid you, so
go to work, and open that basket and
lay out my Things; come, step quick
none of your Southern airs with me. >
Lucy quietly did as she was told
but Gena could scarcely keep from
speaking, when Miss Foote made allu
sion to the South, she learned after
wards that this insult to her home, was
slight, in comparison to what she was
forced to listen to during their toul
through the New England States
When the time came for Gena tC
make her appearance, she felt quite
nervous, but self assured, she was per
feet in her words, hence she was able
to act her part. Long before the play
was over, the entire audience Were
charmed with Gena's Helen. Mr.
Master was perfectly delighted, ant
strange to say, all the company were
loud in her praise. Miss Foote saw
that her deep and vile jealousy woulc
be noticed if she remained silent, 81
she watched her opportunity wher
several were standing by and said will
suavity, ''Miss Josephine, you ar,
playing Helen much better than / an
Julia"
"Thank you," answered Gena.-
Wondering what this woman meant
who so short time ago was i'll treating
her, and ridiculing her devotions, anG
who was now praising her, even at the
dispraise of herself.
Mr. Master sought an opportunity
to speak with Gena that night before
she left the theater.
Miss Josephine" said he, "allow