Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08

eyes.
III not wait any longer" said my
mother; I'll call in the doctor to-
morrow. Aunt Charlotte, poor soul,
was touched the same way"
l knew that cri.is was at hand. and
that l could not conceal my inclina-
tions much longer, so / resolved to
procure an engagement. But how was
to manage it | was not acquainted
with any theatrical people, and l had
never seen a manager in my life.
Then there was my appearance. What
manager would overlook a turn-up
nose, aud the reddest hair that could
be found. The hair l had been recon
cied to long ago, for that could be
dyed; but the nose l never could get
over; tried everything, even wearing
clothespins on it at night, until moth
ing but dreams of having my nose cut
of with pincers crossed my nightly
visions. But it was all to no purpose.
How was pug to be reconciled to
tragedy? But felt Convinced that If
| could get manager to hear me read,
my soul would burst in its earthly cere-
ments. and stand out radiant and beau
titul, and my pug would be forgotten.
80 the next day found me at the box
office of the W theater, asking to
see the manager.
He was in his private office, and gra-
ciously consented to see me. But a
change came Ger the spirit of my dream.
My confidence vanished in thin air,
and l stood trembling and unable to
utter word before SO august per-
sonage. | had entered the enchanted
circle and was spellbound. O, for some
good fairy to break the enchantment.
ScreNing my courage up to the stick
ing point, | at last ventured to state my
GRAND. The manager spoke kindly to
me, which had the effect of putting me
al ease, and recited the sleep walk
ing scene in :" Macbeth" for him. lie
seemed to be pleased. and told me to
call in a few days. He would see if he
could grant my request. did SO, and
the consequence was. that l was en-
gaged to play small part in a new
play to be produced in two months
from that date.
How can | portray my feelings? l
was wild with delight OF course,
was to expect no salary, there was too
much glory for that. TO be allowed to
enter the charmed domain was sufficient
compensation for a mortal like me.
Rehearsals for the new play began
almost Immediately, and of course l
attended. How can l express my
thoughts on going behind the scenes
for the first time. How my heart
throbbed, Visions of fairy scenes and
wonderful castles fitted through NV
mind, till my brain was in whirl.
Heretofore it had been world of
beauty to me; but how different was
the reality. The castles were truly
wonderful. But the wonder was, how
could they look so we'll. Talk of bring
ing down the house before the. foot
lights 1t was twice as easily done be-
hind, where touch of the finger would
bring the most substantial looking
house to the ground. Here the. most
delig htful fairy scenes faded, and left
nothing but painted canvas and paste
board. was amazed. Could this be
the place that l had dreamed of so
often ? Could it be possible that those
streaks and daubs of glaring paint were
the beautiful tropical flowers that I had
seen from the front? And those lovely
soft banks of grass, nothing but green
cloth nailed over wood? Truly ali that
glitters is not gold.
Though disappointed I was not dis
couraged, and by the time the rehear-
sal began was in good spirits, though
came near knocking my brains out
against the end Of Macbeth's castle that
was laid aside in one of the numerous
dark passages.
l could not understand why the COM
pany were disposed to be so merry
over so sad play. But when rehears-
oil was over the manager called me
aside and informed me that I had a
wrong conception of my part, that it
was a soubrette part, and should be
played in light coquettish vein, and
not at all tragic. He also said that l
must keep my head up, and not be for.
ever looking at the ground. or at nv
hands, but look straight before me or
at the persons to whom was speaking,
and above all things to center nv mind
on what l was doing, do it in as grace
ful manner as possible, and not allow
anything around me to disturb me. or
distract my attention. I remembered
what he said, and followed his instruc-
tions to the best of my ability. think
the other actors were inclined to guy
me, and but tor the manager I would
often have come to grief. feared moth
ing for all this, for was not my desire
to be fulfilled at last, and was not the
iight OF my genius about to illumine
the world
l resolved to be successful, and
studied my part early and late. could
not sleep for thinking of it, but would
get up early in the morning and 70
through with my part before any one
was stirring in the house. One morn
ing as was gesticulating wildly while
delivering my best speech to chair,
that had placed in the middle of the
foor to represent the heavy man, re-
ceived blow in the back from pillow
that nearly knocked me down, and
heard my brother cry ont:
" There's bouquet for you"
After that Was more careful. for I
determined not to let my family know
OF my engagement until the night of
my first appearance. Then ould in
wife them IN attop1 Tho ,>o.ca......