The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-11-11
SOME ADVICE TO STAGE STRUCK

Giddy Gusher in tew York Mirror.
The other day got a silly note from
some chump i'll Chicago, arraigning mt
for my encouragement of amateurs ano
beginners in the profession. The Lore
knows, ii L could write an essay, an ode
or sermon that would prevent nine
tenths of those who go on the stage from
staying on it, L would do so for their own
sakes, as well as for the public good.
just one in a thousand make a mark in
theatrical business. If there is a melan-
choly spectacle, it's one of those seedy
actors who play year after year, and some
times getting salary and Oftener acting
for nothing, and amounting to nothing
artlstically and financially. He drifts
along, and now in POdunk, Maine, next in
Tinkertown, West Virginia, Nebraska, and
| then on Union Square-hard up-anxious
-defrauded-lo for chance to do a
passable walking gentleman with snap
company. He goes out and comes in.
Gets with age little stout in figure, and
with all round whisky little budgy in the
face. So, for term of seasons, he does
second heavies.
Then the hard lines of this life put the
hard lines on his poor, faded counte-
|
feeble neutrality-suspicious. decrepid,
a wretching term of lodging house, stale
beer and dirty shirt existence brings him
to the end. Whereas, if he had taken his
youth, his health and his energy into
factory, or a shop, or an Office, he would
have had a home, family and front
seat when his head was bald to see the
last British actor or the latest pair of
English tights.
Xxx
There must be one million of these dis
appointed, no account actors in the
United States at the rate they have
adopted the stage the last twenty years.
And so when l get letter like this,
say: Young man, ask your ma to teach
you to button your trousers, or make
bread. Go to a tailor, or baker, or any
thing but bust-up Romeo. The woods
are fall of 'em."
Listen to this boy-he voices the yearn-
lngs of regiment:
October %, 1885,
My Dear Miss Gusher:-I write you to
tell you of my great dessre to go on the
stage since L once saw Frederick Paulding
in Romeo and Juliet 1 have been giving
different part from the play to some
friends of NINE and they Know great
deal about acting and they all tell me l
am very bit his equal in | went so far as
to bring tears to many eyes. l prefer
starting in some of Shakespeare plays. l
am sure if | could get some good Mana
ger who would take hold of me 1 would
make decided hit, then l don't think
about going on the stage till next season !;
| I tn
Theatre in New York City. If YOU will
Kindly Let me Know through The Mlrorr
which read great deal of some good
Manager l would be ever so much oblige
to you | am young man Twenty years
old nice from dark brown hair with eyes
to match no mustache at present but am
getting one. Hoping to hear from you
soon through the the Mirror l remain one
who would Like to be a Romeo and
Your Friend ARCu1E p
Xxx
This poor boys ambition was fred bv
seeing Mr.. Paulding act. Now, Mr..
Pauldlng had fond and well to-6o
mother, who had spent fortune in boost
ing her dear Freely into the position he
now holds. While his youth and good
looks last he will be supporting Romeo
to some star Juliet. After that what's he
gong to do? The capital in
vested IN making Frederick Paulding
Romeo for Miss Mather's
juliet would have started him in a
profitable and pleasurable business. The
time and energy he has devoted to cap
turing his lines, managing his legs, and
picturesque posturing would have made
that business successful. And when Mr..
fauldlng celebrates his fftieth birthday
now he will wish the gods hai ordained
the day book and ledger instead of the
sock and buskin.