The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-11-20
CLARA MORRIS.
of Her First New York Engage
ment-

Norris is easily the foremost among
American actresses. and her reappear-
ance in this CITY, after an absence ex-
tending over several years.is matter
meet for cOngratulation. The inter-
eat felt in her engagement at the
academy during the coming week ex-
tends to all classes of amuse meut low
ers. and the advance sale of seats fore
tells a series of crowded houses To a
reporter Miss Morris recently toli the
stiry of her early life upon the stage
as follows:
Il shall never forget" she SAL,
climbing over the block. of ice that
were always piled up every morning
against the side door of the Hoffman
house. in order to reach the stage door
of the old Fifth Avenue theater, nor
my wonder if that old man who stOe d
{ { the entrance was the individual up.
on whom nv future fate depended.
| had just arrived from Cincinnati,
where had occupied the position of
leading lady for one season at salary
of s35 per week. l was supporting
my mother there. aud 10 order to
make my application personally for a
position in the Fifth Avenue theater.
had been obliged to supply nv own
place for the week in Cincinnati, ,rav-
ell two nights on the cars, ami pay my
New york expenses; no small under
taking at that time for a girl IF my
age and responsibilities.
Il had come straight from Cleve
land tn Cincinnati. and bad therefore
only local reputation and that which
had been made for me BY stars who
had visited Cleveland and Cibcinnat,
and generally told afterwards, wher-
ever they went. that in those cities
there was or had been little girl,
named Clara Morris, who could act"
Still, | had received some excel
lent offers !; and when, in obedience to
Mr.. Daly's demand for personal in
terview, | presented myself at the
door OF the Fifth avenue theater. in
New York. carried i'm my packet a
contract rom Mr.. Mcguire of Calafor-
ME, (who, BY the way. is an uncle of
my present manager, M. Goo1win).
binding himself tn give me 800 per
week. in gold, and two Clear benefits,
with right to choice of parts as lead
ing lady in bis theater.
But New York Vas the goal of nv
ambition and to obtain an oppor; unity
in this Mecca of nv hopes | was will
ing 10 sacrifice whatever present good
fortune was held out to me.
81 was DO. a particularly attractive
object on nv first arrival in New York
city. l had bu. two dresses in the
world, except my stage wardrobe.
which was correct hut rigidly confined
to the necessities Of parts"
"Mr. Aupustie DAILY had been ac-
customed to the magni6cence of Miss
Morant. Fannie Davenport. Agnes
Ethel and others of bis really splendid
stock company. and he looked down
upon my 5 feet 3 inches, clad in a rus
ty linen gown and carrying a satchel.
with a shrug and doubt expressed in
every line of his face. He engaged
we, but only upon condition that /
should take any part, save that OF
soubrette or a general utilitv perform
er. My salary was to he $4Oa week.
with the md rstanding that if | made
distinct and undeniably success it
s'r-r'I he double. Upon this sum |
MAS 10 live, support my MOTHER. and
buy my stage dresses
When had moved and settled
with our small belongings. had not
one dollar left, and my means we're so
cramped, that they would not admit
IF our eating meat oftener than once
a day. NV mother used to ask me if
| would have my chops to rehearse
upon or to act upon. and as preferred
to have the strength to act upon. l
used often to he so weak at rehearsal,
that could not act at all, and l am
sure Mr.. DAILY endured much mental
distress in regard to the 6asco which
he was convinced was going to make
"What DAYS and nights these were
had but two dresses, as told you,
besides my stage wardrobe. and that
was not intended for modern society
plays, but for what is called the legiti-
mate. My two day dresses were use
full as far "a they went, bu, they were
of linen, not new, and had been wash
ed several times. and looked shabby
enough beside the stunning costumes
in which my companions appeared
ready for a Broadway promenade
after the business of the day, the re
hearsaI, was over. Well. it was ia
MAN and Wife that | made the New
4 and ~ u-oo 1871