Wichita eagle., 1888-01-27
ABOUT STAGE KISSES,
SAID TO BE A PARODY ON THE
GENUINE ARTICLE.

The Confession Made by a Sunny Haired
Little Actress-CosmeticC Color and Odor
of Garlic-A Disgusting Experience.
Property Mustaches."
s'Such Kisses said the little actress scorn-
fully, shaking her golden curls and arrang-
ing her rosy lips into delightful pout, 'sare
not worth having. In fact they are nothing
more nor less than hideous parody on the
genuine article"
Now to anybody who did not know the
subject of our conversation, such remark
as that Just made would have been startling
] should really be seriously embarrassed if [
were not permitted to explain matters be-
cause, as was the only person present at
the time my little sunny haired friend gave
vent to this sentiment, you will readily see
that l might subject myself to unworthy
suspicious.
The fact is that we were merely discussing
tbs stage kiss, in which susceptible theatre
goers are deeply interested, and l was en-
deavoring to extract little information
about it from the dainty little lady who was
only too willing to give it.
1.-The audience imagines," she said, "when
they see handsomely dressed young man,
good looking, well mustached and altogether
styiish--I hate that word, don't youl-fer-
vently embrace the leading lady of the COM
pany that the kiss even though it may not
be given with genuine feeling, must, never
theless, be agreeable Oh, my dear boy, do,
If you can, contradict this for my sake.
Never was there so fatal an error OF a suppo-
sition SO stupidity warranted by the real facts
of the case"
MAKING CONFESSION.
She was evidently deeply in earnest, and
earnest people are always entitled to pro
found attention, so l became profoundly at
tentive
Il must make confession" she said. in
more subdued tones, "anG tell you every
thing. The first time | knew | had to be
kissed on the stage by the good looking lead
ing man-ah! you womb be surprised if 1
told you his name-I admit that | was de-
lighted. Yes, was by no means averse to
it. ! knew that the role called for the kiss
and was satisfied. Shall ever forget that
kiss. i think not. i found e face beside
my own, so besmeared with rouge so in
crusted with powder, so moist with cosmetic,
that assure you it didn't look like face
As / said, this was my first stage kiss. |
don't say it was my first kiss, mark you well,
bacause-well, l have three brothers Ha!
haI'
She laughed provolingly, and felt vexed
without knowing why.
His awful face" she went on, 'Ewas
pressed close to mine, and it positively sick
ened me. The leading man was French, and
he had dined eiaborately on food exceedingly
favored with garlic. | remember | had to
spring back after the embrace and exclaim:
How dare you insult me with your kisses.
Give them to her who will appreciate them
EFFECT ON TIE AUDIENCE
'I made that speech from my heart |
thoroughly meant what said, and the effect
upon the audience was excellent Only, for
the life of me, couldn't think of any one
who would appreciate such kisses. ] wouldn't
have offered them to my bitterect foe'
She laughed at the recollection and then
went on: 'STage kisses are generally disgust
ing OF course, sometimes they are merely
mike believe kisses but when You are right
III front of the audience that is impossible
The audience may sometimes be shocked at
the apparent warmth Of stage kiss, but they
would be more shocked if it were not given.
a man who is en1eloped in paint isn't
man. You are merely kissing painted doll,
with anustache so colored by cosmetics that
you are III mortal agony lest it leave some
trace Oh your lily white skin. Oh, yes!" she
added, smiling, many are the property
hdstaches have loathed for that reason"
Then she uttered the remark which en-
barrassed me at the beginning.
ADO you know" she said beaming seraph-
ically, that at ono time | was SO utterly sick
of stage kissing, and it became so revolving
TO me, that | really thought-yes, l did,
honor bright,-that Ishould never again be
able to tolerate kissing off tho stege"-Alan
Dale il New York Evening World