The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-11-22
BEHIND THE SCENES.
A Chat With n Famous Actress in
Her Business Office"
The Implements and Intricaeies Of
the StGge--work and Constant
Anxiety--GenIus and
Noble MotherhUod.


ayyiu the madame he n, her bcicr
HCarfainIv whom the scene IA raadv.1 rs
piisd The actress interroratel
There was inst a tiure Of FOREIGN accent In
her resuonse, a kind Of shy and vet clearly
audible line, soft and tender in tone. like the
articulation of a child before age and expert
ence give confidence in a perfect control of
the powers Of expression. A brilliant woman
she, subtle, and, at the same time intense, in
dramatic power. At this moment she sat be
fore a large mirror, clad for the bedchnmber
scene in "Cymbeline." Over her shapely
form fell a robe of white cashmere, over
her neck and shoulders was thrown a
scarf OF orange hue that fell in grace
III folds below her waist. Her feet
were in sandals and She had just drawn over
her white stockings with n black crayon, the
outline Of her toes to produce the impression
that they were bare. Before and around her
were scattered all the implements, evidences
and lntrlcacies OF her art Great trunks
stood with mouths wide open revealing rich
and curious costumes, and the dressing maid
hitted here and there, folding or arranging
them IN most convenient places for the ar
lists use. 1t was a curious sight to a novice,
tins display OF the powder, tinsel, rudeness
ana richness winch dazzle and shine from
behind the footlights Tor those IN 'front.', as
luough ihey We're oil real.
The stage manager at tbs Chestnut street
opera house had, by the first words quoted,
admoDished Modjeska that the scene would
soon be on where Iachimo must find her
fallen asleep in her bed with the book she had
been reaching fallen by her sile, and the leaf
turned down where she had finished.
"Welcome to my business Office" said she
laughingly, as entered with her husband
You see ME here at work, and here are all
my tooin- May be will not be as entertain
ing as well dressed, or as interesting as L
would nave Deen In my boudoir after the
cares ana iroIcs OF tine pay are over. Our
profession is exacting. People will not toler-
ate a wait or a hitch, and our success depends
as much upon the spirit, IRE and ability put
mott But must go now, TINS scene IS a
short one sHt unti 1 return, tne ghped "o-
man saiu, as sne hurrled away.
l soon followed to the wings to witness the
y-play. 1t took but a half minute for the
actress to scramble into the improvised bed,
the maid to cover her with a lambs wool
robe, when the curtain rolled up, and Mod
Jeska, to the audience, was asleep. Iachimo
frank Ciements) emerges from the trunk
and begins his treacherous invocation; while
barrymore IN tne room Just away, Is dress
ing lor the part 70 follow. L watched the
play quite listlessly, Tor what n different I'M
rough surroundings behind instead OF from
the comfortable seats and iancliul decora.
LIONS III front OF the curtain was Just
thinking no" much snow hau 10 90 with
everything In me, now pose and appearance
aided ana simulated every EFFORT OF man or
woman, when 1 was Drought BACK 10 my DUTY
by a quick touch upon the shoulder.
Come, l have a long wait now; we will
resume the chat"
Turning, there stood Modjeska dressed for
a new part. Sue had passed into her room
from the back part OF the stage during this
reVerie' fier wnite ana orange robe mad dls-
aPpeareui anu upon her tan aud graceful
hgure was a new dress OF rich texture and
DARK niue color. Around her waist and
over her shoulders III careful foids rested
drapery oil a lighter shade. She looked every
men a queen her race was oeaming with
the excitement OF the evenings success, and
her DARK sneaking eyes Ill up a scountenance
as ialr IN mould as IL was lntelllgent In ex-
preston NO aiiectation In word, look or
actioh, Simply = prign., aoe woman that
n. ~ 20 +, Jus,
"a ,"' ~ sH' II" Nu siea'er
~
Sne ltu tne way 10 ner room, away from
tne Dus'e OIL those VINO were pushing on and
gu tne s@se as lue parts required them.
mere was her son f'aipn' u "hoin she intro
uuceu me u MANY iophihs Doy' some -
years Oh ase, VINO mas oeen educated Win
are . ns ehoseh Profession ol u ciVn ensl-
heer, l. WIS lor nm that us mother hTst
came . Aiherlca, ahu stOr nun that she
VIII ever hereaIUsr Lhake IL her nome she
SPoke 10 nm oehIerjy IN her naive tongue,
III 10y nAeuiy snoweu rs anectioh
LOT her VINO hau saerr'ced 81 much tor MS
euNaNen"
Sne TOOK her seat again where l had first
seen her, before the great broad mirrors, and
then said:
"Eou see this is not all play. There is con-
slant anxiety; always something to do and
new things to learn every minute. 1t is
hard, earnest work; in fact a constant strug-
gle. could not tell you wbatobstacles there
are to overcome. Let me See she said, half