Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-01-27
The Old Actors Daughter.

course, L don't mean that. But only
think. For many years 1 have held
regular engagement, and should have
saved money. Ii you should go to the
manager, as you propose, and tell him
that We were suffering for food-that
your old father was lying sick in this
miserable attic, he would tell you that
l had been improvident-that had
squandered my money, and that now,
IN my helplessness, l must suffer the
consequence of my folly"
''Father, you accuse yourself wrong
fully. You have reared and educated a
family of three, and for many years
have cared tenderly for poor mother,
even through all the varied stages of
consumption"
The old actors daughter sat silent and
thoughtful for a time. She was revolving
in her mind scenes and incidents of
which her father was entirely ignorant.
Let us describe them.
1t was period of three months previ-
GUS to the foregoing conversation. The
mother has just been laid in the cold
grave, and tine father was, as now, una
BILE to leave his room. The wolf was
lowering around their door and Marie
timid in action, but brave in heart, had
resolved to assist the parent she loved
so dearly.
1t was a bitter winters evening when
she left her home with the purpose.
The sharp blast cut her to the very
heart as she drew her thin mantle around
her. But she had read in the papers
that girls were wanted for the ballet of
one of the theatres. They were to ap-
ply at the stage door that morning, but
she had been unable to leave her father S
side at that time. She feared she would
be too late: still she coald but try.
On reaching the stage door her heart
almost failed, but her home again rose
up before her, and she ventured to ac-
cost the doorkeeper.
"Want to see the stage manager, ,eh p
"Yes, sir, if you please"
"Better wait till tomorrow.
81 tried to come to-day, sir but could
not"
Indeed? Oh, here he comes-you
can apply to hun now"
That functionary happened to be
passing, and hearing the words under
stood their import at once. He turned
a searching looking upon the roor girl,
and was about to pass on. But be
caught sight of her face in the gaslight,
and said. mot bad-looking,if if she is III
rags. SO you want an engagement,
eh 2"
"Yes, sir, if you please" replied
Marie.
sTo play Lady Macbeth, sup
pose ?"
"No, sir-for the ballet"
"Oh Ever beene on an stage be-
fore %
"Only as a child, sir"
"Oh, only as child. Do you sing p
"Yes sir-very well"
"Very well-so you think-1 might
not. Do you dance?"
Yes sir. Father was an actor, and he
says dance very well"
"Oh then you can come tomorrow
and try it"
"Thank you, I'll come"
Rehearsal will take place at half
past ten o'clock"
II will be here, sir"
bring your props with you"
Poor Marie hesitated, and the
manager observing this. said:
"Oh, perhaps you don't know what
mean by props. Well, they are your
feathers, Jewels, ribbons, laces, tights,
slippers, gloves, and so on. We OILY
furnish the body of your dress"
The poor girl hesitated, when the
manager again asked:
Cant you furnish your own props 2
"I fear not at first, sir, was the timid
reply.
"Then we don't want you"
The manager turned away, and Marie
staggered toward, the door, half blinded
with grief and disappointment. But
ere she had passed it gentle hand was
laid upon her shoulder, and sweet
voice exclaims
"My dear child, come and see me to.
morrow as early as possible. Here is
my address"
Marie viewed the extended card and
turned her eyes toward the speaker.
She was brilliant creature, and the
poor girl tried to stammer forth re-
ply, but could not. She left the theatre,
and took her way homeward. She
could not help thinking of the beauti.
full lady and her magnificent dress,
sparkling with jewels. What could she
want with her?
Even bright pictures of the future
rose before her vision. and thus dulled
the sharpness of her grief at the disap.
pointment she had met with. She did
not tell her father what she had done,
or that she had an engagement to meet
one of The great ladies at the theatre.
The next day Marie called at the
place designated, upon the card. Her
visit was a heightened one; but when
she emerged from the lady's presence
she looked comparatively happy.
One of the first things Marie did,
after returning home, was to find the
half finished play, which her father was
writing and alone, IN her own apart
mept. she passed much time over 1T.
She was also from her home great
deal, during which time her father
supposed her to be at labor In the
tailoring establishment where she occa-
sionally found employment.
But If she became cheerful immedl-
atelv after her first visit to the theatri-
cal lady. it was not long before she be-
gan to be thoughtful-then sad. She
became very pale, and at the time the
conversation between herselfand father,
described in the first part of this sketch,
took place, she looked as if she could
endure but little more either of physi'
cal or mental exertion.
The father had observed the increas.
ing paleness of his child, and it had
caused him much grief. But he had
said nothing of the matter, for he dlo
not know how he was to remedy 1t. de
had been hopeful, but now had almost
given up to despair. ~,
As evening approached poor Marie
grew still paler but she spoke words
of hope and comfort to the father, and
that parent could not but look upon hei
in admiration as well as pity.
The bour came when business called
her away. She pressed her marble-cold
Inns TO her fathers brow. She held MS
han5 in herovn for a moment, and tear