Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-29
LADIES OF THE EXTRA BALLET.

Starving Youth, Experienced Tai.
ent and Poetic Maturity Seeking
WORK.
New York World.l
Miss May Fisk, the leader of the
blondes at Tony Pastors Theater,
advertised yesterday for "one hun
dTed good formed ladies for
marches, singing and dancing" At
pm, the office of W. II. Smith,
the manager, was crowded with APP
plicants. The greater part of them
were plainly dressed girls who have
been professionally" engaged in
what is known as the "extra bal
LETT for years. They applied know.
what they had to expect in the way
of salary, and prepared to enter i'm
mediately upon their duties should
the manager accept them. Among
the number, however, was a dozen
or more timid novices, pale-faced,
delicate girls, who had read the ad-
vertiscment and were anxious to
get work of any kind.
"Please, sir, what will we have
to do?" asked one of these girls.
"Nothing much but stand around
and look pretty" was the response.
"Will we have to-to-to-dress
in tights?"
"Certainly."
"Ohw came several gasps at a
time. Then there ensued a consul
tation, and it was agreed by a few
that the ordeal should be passed,
But the manager, almost before the
newcomers had time to declare
their resolve, said: "We've got
more engaged already than we really
want" and he accepted only two
or three of the number, The othel
girls of the heroic plans burst into
tears and went out sobbing. ThO
stage manager, in addition to hi
ordinary duties, had to add those o
anatomist, for upon his judgmen
depended the final selection of tn,
girls whose forms in COSTUME
should appeal to the spectator
The extra ballet girls receive from
Sc to $40 per week, according t.
their charms. None Of them locke,
very attractive in their street dress
hut the manager assured the repor
ter that they "loomed up entirel
different under the gaslight." On
of the girls, q medium-sized, light
faced young woman Of about seven
teen, was accosted by the reporte
after she had been engaged. Sh
said:
/ live with my mother in Van
dam street. Was very poor, as
have been unable to obtain an
work. Ihaally made up my min
to seek employment in some thei
ter. | hate to have to doit but
is better than starving. h,
The manager who undertakes
receive the "extra ballet" has n
easy task. Among the claiman
of "good forms" who applied ye
terdGy the greater portion are Ver
full or very thin. 1t required
great deal Of subterfuge to get ri
Of these applicants without hurtin
their feelings. About one hour q
ter the arrival of "answers" tai
meager-looking woman with bul
die of paper under her arm, entert
the room with a mincing gait al
said in the softest tones:
81 have come for employment
your company"
The manager glanced earnest
mt the woman, and asked:
employment of what kindr
SIN addition to being an exc,
lent /, ramatic scholar" the wom
said, 81 am an authoress;"
al don't want any authoress'
madame; / advertised"
"Ah," interrupted she, 81 kn'
we'll enough that you don't wa
any autheresses, but Il, in additi
to nv other accomplishments, c
add that of being literary, ! oug
to be worth much more to the Co
pany. New, l have just finished
poem to-day" She hastily p
duced a sheet of paper, and beg
to read:
"Like gem that is hid in the fathOm
Deep, deep, deep,"-
The manager interrupted h
saying, "My dear lady, l assure
| haven't the time to listen to yC
poetry, however charming. |
Vertised for good-looking girls
The extra ballet" and he escor
the authoress to the door.
The last applicant was a v
diminutive specimen of leminiI
who seemed to be about thirt
wears old. She wanted to |
parts, and said she had acted v
the Juvenile opera company un
ahc name Of Clarissa Benton.
stage name at present was MI
STANLEY The reportor asked hl