The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-01-12
Bessie Williams Career.

the theatrcals parlors
gave evidence Of high order and she could
@GSs ss great should she decide to GO
Miss Bessie Williams had never had thought
of going on the stage until, a day or two after
having taken part in the private theatricals. she
read this complimentary notice of her performance
in the columns of the local newspaper.
But now she fired with new ambition.
She cut the notice from the paper and read 1t
again and again. and she did So she began rise
above the commonplace things of life, above the
things with which she had before been fully
satisfied. She began to take great interest in
actors and actresses. One day, when her mother
entered her room quietly and unannOunced, Bessie
was discovered artistically draped in trailing
scarlet blanket, her long, dark hair hanging down
her back, her bare white arms folded on her breast
and her head thrown stilly back, as she stalked
back and forth before the small mirror her
bureau.
eye do not know with whom We have to deal ?"
she was declaiming in the tone of q queen of
tragedy, as Mrs. Williams softly opened the door.
well, what on earth Why, Elizabeth Will
liams what do you mean?" exclaimed her mother.
20 ma" cried Bessie, turning quickly around in
great confusion, her face almost scarlet as her
blanket, "I-I-was only practising !"
practising what2"
"Oh, a-a-piece l saw played once" replied
Bessie, she unpinned the blanket, and began
binding up her hair.
"Well, | think you had better leave such things
said Mrs. Williams in her direct, sensible way.
al supposed you up here working on your
crazy quilt, which you'd better have been doing
than wasting your time and getting foolish ideas
into your head by such silly performances as
this"
But the crazy quilt and the embroidery and the
other little feminine occupations that had pre-
viously given her pleasure in her spare moments,
no longer had any interest for Bessie. She began
to have feeling Of disgust for practical duties,
and a of superiority over those who could be
satisfied with what she called the "narrowness''
and stupidity" of life in Elderton.
Her mothers rebuke did not change her mind or
her course. Bessie knew that many famous
actresses had entered the profession" in opposi-
tion to the wishes of their parents, who had, in
after years, been proud of the success of their
daughters, and sorry for the opposition that had
delayed the beginning of their careers
That was not the last time she posed in striking
costumes and strange attitudes, and when she
found herself alone in the house. she recited the
most thrilling parts of the few plays she had seen
performances which her self conceit told her were
proof of her dramatic powers.
EldertOn was a small town, and the few dramatic
compal les which visited it, and gave represen-
tatiOns in the town hall, of the lowest order
OF merit but at YOungtOn, small city ten miles
from Elderton, there was "Grand Opera House, -
in which "stars" of Indifferent brilliancy had
occasionally appeared.
few weeks after what she regarded as her
awakening to the consciousness that she possessed
dramatic genius announcement was made that
Madam B, ga world renowned" actress with q
talented company, was about to visit Youngton
Bessie resolved that she would call upon Madam
B, confde to the famous actress her hopes
recite some of her best passages a specimen OF
what she could do, and, if encouraged to do 60
that she would join the company, and begin her
glorious career actress.
She kept this resolve to herself, for she knew
well that her parents would forbid her carrying il
into effect She was really q dutiful and obedent
daughter, but her head had been turned during
the past few weeks by her belief In her own power