Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-11

In few seconds Jcrny Is equipped 70
the expedition, and almost before kney
what l am about we have reached oil.
Cbnmieigh's house and are ushered int,
the managerial sanctum
what is IL EIlersly?' he asks, lookin.
up "eariiy. as we enter, from a formdabi
PIE oi susplcious-looking papers. "Ab
sooo afternoon. my dearr'-perceivin in!
Jenny. | hope you are not come abou
the areas Of your salary. l have so man,
oi.is 10 make up. my boy, that am afraiI
l nust ask you TO wait
Poor Chumleigh! Monetary considera
tons are always uppermost in bis mind
III Is not that" | answer. ..We-tha
Is, my vile Is here to make a proposal
sht wishes tn play Miss Rawlings part to
morrow night"
"Nonsense.' Chumleigh cries starting
up eagerly. Mrs. Ellersly, you don't re-
ally mean that?"
MIR. Chumleish. | was never more 81.
rious in my llle," Jenny answers with
calm self.possession.
The managers face. which has lighted
up with momentary hope that tells how
much the production of the piece must
nnesn TO him, as suddenly falls again. and
he sinks back into his seat.
ou could never study 1t In the time, -
- s'JcN'n' hts. EieFsly, ! am very
much Obliged TO you, but | dare not trus,
you. lou see, failure would be .uinous
Besides you have no experience-you are
not even an actress"
Jenny advances cool and dignieed vii
aquiet grace that is all her own.
NO. Mr.. Chumleigh." she answers
gra'ely, 81 am not an actress, but am a
woman aud love my husband | have "A
CONVECTION that his success In life depend
more or less upon to-morroy night. and
Tor his sake | feel that the ordeal | am
ANXIOUS TO encounter would not be beyond
my strength"
iisr voice Is clear and ringing, her att-
tudt Is iuil OF grace and express sion, and
her beautiful face is flushed aud eager.
Cnumleigh looks at her In silent adnira.
tiol.
= iy Jove. Mrs. EllersIy." he excIaims
AT Ehgth, ''it you look like that on the
stage, you IL make your own fortune and
mine too. At all events you shall have
the oiance- Here Is the part you ask for.
Rem ihOer, u Is very long, aud will take
you 'il your time TO master even If YOU
nave the genius OF a Siddons. Ell.rsly.
my 10Y, call at the printers and the bill
poster on your way home and coulter
mant the posters have ordered announc-
ersIy you are the pluckiest woman have
ever encountered; but for your own sake.
Tor al our sakes, go home and yet 10 work.
Mindyon come perfect in the morning.
Will ave al early call for you
Aui. thus dismissed, Jennie and de.
part-l thoughtful aud filed with anxiety,
she e!oicln. and Triumphant
Nlen the evenings work Is over, ana
the all Tor The new piece (wIthout parts)
+ o the board as usual, the commollon /,
alupst as great as that which prevailed
~Hn It's impracticabilIty was decided on.
and Jenny l. Of course freely discussed.
'ph. the sweet ANGEL cries Miss som.
Sr'lIe, the chatnber-maid with the inflam-
maoy paIt. I'm quite CERTAIN she'll be
sleeess; and, oh. Simpkins"-with an
sod M. hurst r. 49, - -
II ever heard Of such thing. quavcrs
drs Harman, the old woman. in her
.queaky treble. The assurance OF young
beginner attempting part like that. hen
was girl managers didn't encourage
rnvices in making these exhibitions OF
But that was long ago,granny !. sneers
young Eversrd, the walking gentleman,
" no | haye always fancied cherishes
sneaking regard for Jenny. and who knows
Mrs, Harman's age is rather u sore point
with her.
..At least walking gentlemen were not
Walking sticks in those days, snaps the
lid lady vciously.
"Frark, my boy, you shouldn't let your
vile make such a iool OF herself" gro"ls
.Dhnso the heavy" man.
But answered them all very briefly.
Truth to tell, my heart sinks within ine
when think of the magnitude OF Jenny ;
enterprise. and | walk home weary and
lespairing.
| iird my wife hard at work on my re-
turn; and hard at work she remains dur
hg the tedious hours OF the night. long al
Ter have sunk into a feverish and nnre-
feshing sleep.
In the morning we are punctual at rehear-
s,l. and Jenny, BY my advice, reads her
urt and, cutting out all the long speeches.
r,ne. at once. TO ..cues" | know by BIT
ter experience how difficult 1t Is 10 speak
flesh part when YOU are not acting II and
when you are interrupted every second
minute by the stage manager directions
Ia a case OF quick study. however perfect
YOU may be. the words seem TO ny irom
YOU, and you begin 10 think with absolute
terror that you know nothin. of the part
al nil feel that If Jenny Is to get through
ANYHOW at night. II will be better TO spare
he. so heavy a trial and. though the com
pam shake their heads and look luSubri-
our. mutely prophesying an entire collapse
Jenny placidly reads on In voice scarce
ly raised above whisper. for have eau
toned her against unnecessary exertloh.
Every body connected with a theatre
knows what the rehearsal Of new play is
on the day OF its production. carpenters
are hammering away at new scenic devices,
.h
Ia pitifuI confusion, scene-painters are put
ting the finishing touches 10 their work the
staye-mauager is viruperatiye and denun-
ciatory, and every' Oh, in general Is tho
oughly disagreeaole and uncomfortable
But even q last rehearsal must come 10 an
end at some time, and at six O'Clock we
are al length dismissed TO take what re-
freshment we please. and make such pre-
parat,ons as are possible before the per-
formauce at half past seven.
Jenny refuses to leave the theatre, aud
retires 10 the ladies' dressing room, where
the gorgeous apparel originally designed
for Miss Rawlings is laid out 10 readiness
for her and the wardrObe-mistress is ehgag-
ed in a stormy discussion with the dresser
This being a special production, the ladies
are not expected to rnd their own ATTIRE
luckily for Jenny, who OF course is without
tntdlIiCdl pTOpcitfCS VI ohy Scis 'NN'
NV wife half the contents OF my purse, tel
ling her to be sure and send out for some
tea. or whatever else she may fancy in the
form of restorative. and adjourn myself 10
the nearest coffee house thoroughly tagged
out.
When | return to to the theatre, ii nd
that the doors are open, and that the house
| is filling rapidly. Al the stage entrance
meet George. the gas man who Is an Ole
retainer Of Chumleigh's. who is deeply at
| tached to him.
You are looking dead beat, sir" he re
| marks cOmpassiOnately.
Il am very tired indeed" answer; -
| don't feel as if could do anything at al
tonight"
Don't give in like that, sir, for PITY
sake?" the man exclaims with an anxious
face. For all our sskes you must do al
YOU know In the new piece. They do say
| if it's frost, the poor old guvnorll hav
to bust up"
SO even the workmen have got wind o.
1 inc