The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-22
CASTING REFLECTIONS.

Yes, I'm as bright as over, though
I've had some hard rubs Ia my day
particularly from the hands of do
mcstcs. No wonder am called cold
and hard. but nevertheless | am the
most sympathetic creature int he world
smile with those that smile and weep
with those that weep At times it IS
difficult, for no matter how dull may
be feeling ! am expected TO reflect the
look Of the most casual passeiby; how
ever, | always manage 10 present q
smooth surface, and am Acknowledged
by all TO be highly polished And
though / have met reverSes, ! have
never vet had q fall. With ladies ]
am, tand always have been, great
lavOrite They consult me on al oc
casions-it seems As if they could
never tire of me -- and | am not
sighted by the men either, but some
Of them do dread TO look at me IN the
face in The morning after late sup
per at the club.
An artist strolling through &c
Temple" in Paris threw a glance
my way; ! reflected his look Of apprc
citation, and he at once purchased me
l served him faithfully, but never fiat
tered, assisting him almost daily in
criticising his sketches; in fact, could
reverse anything for INN, except his
luck. We had been together some
time, when one day she came into our
studio.
Now. I'm q keen observer when
people are in front of me, and am ac-
customed TO study faces but she rather
puzzled me She impressed me rs an
actress. but still her general appear
ancc was almost too artistic for that
She was accompanied by a literary
friend, who had persuaded her to pose
as the heroine for a novel which the
artist was 10 illustrate
While all this was under discussion
her eye fell on me, and realized Miss
SwansdOwn was what would be called
in simple parlance "a society beauty
And the effect she was producing ON
Brown Lake made my heart ache for
his peace Of mind. Naturally in look
ING around the studio she took nc up,
and | viii acknowledge II was a mu-
tual pleasure, and as she land me down
with evident regret ON leaving l ielt
that ] lad been TO her What she had
been to the ILLUSTRATOR bright spot
in that day.
Well they came more on less regu-
larly 70 the studio and the posing be
gan. Ii was a long MS, and some OF
the situations were rather pleasing
AT times she had TO stand as If IN q
conservatory with the hero Of the
novel whispering I'm her ear. Then
she was placed at the piano as II he
was turning the music. Again he was
supposed to be holding her hand Is
she stood on the stairs. All these pc
sitions she took with grace and ease.
II was then that learned she was eel
ebrated as am amateur actreSs, which
explained the impression she at iirSt
made on me.
Brown Lake often found IL Necessary
10 pose with her i'm order that shcmlght
get the right action; then he'd leave
her and rush at ms pencil 20 mako the
sketch. bat in some of the scenes he
tool, much moro time IL seemed TO me,
than was really required IN posing her,
particularly when thesiiuation allowed
hum 10 assume a tender attitude. On
some occasions he used his friend
Roberts. who was'a regular visitor, to
assist in the grouping. During the
"rest. " she devoted herself with COM
mendablo zeal to playing the banjo and
depicting the bonbon box. l learned
she was deep in rchearsing ono OF Gil
bert's comedies. "ThcWedding March, "
I'm which Lake was persuaded 70 take
a minor part, so besides tho meeting
at the studio they saw each other at
the rehcarsals
Now. though | have seen q great
deal of life, and consequently great
deal of acting. | had never been pres
ent at a play-and so was delighted
when taken the first night TO the --
Club theatre.
IL was entirely a new world 10 me.
There was only one small looking
glass I'm our dressing room, and 1t was
ilattcring to me TO be 50 much IN de
mand; ii was also a revelation TO see
with how much cagefmess the ambl-
fious amateur looked into my tell tale
face. had always been accustomed
to this from the "gontler sex, but to
be so sought after and consulted by the
men was a new and amusing expert
encc.
Afterward / was taken into the
make up room. where two busy deco
rators were making the peachy cheeks;
the lefty eyebrows, the cherry lips and
the alabaster arms for the stage; and
though there were two large mirrors
in the room. they were so crowded
about, that, when my presence become
known, was nearly crushed by inc
general eageiness 20 get one look INTO
my clear face.
The room was as bright and pretty
as a bed of flowers in full bloom. The
costumes were picturesque and becom-
ing TO the young ladies, who wore any
dress that suited their particular style,
while the men, according 10 the play,