The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-18
CASTING REFLECTIONS.

VIM = AANN htASl NV hOlN
Yes, I'm as bright as ever, though
I've had son,N hard rubs in my day
particularly from tho hands of do
mestics. No wonder / am called cold
and hard, but nevertheless / am the
mostsympathctic creature in tho world.
Ismile 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 passerby; how
ever, always manage to present u
smooth surface, and am acknowledged
BY oil to be highly polished. And
though | have met reverses, have
never yet had O fall. With ladies
am, tand always have been, a great
favoritc. They consult mo on all oc-
eaSions-it seems as if they could
never tire of me and l nm not
sLghted 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 10
Temple" in Paris threw a glance
my way; 1 reflected his look of appre-
siation, and he at once purchased me.
Iserved him faithfully, but never fiat
tered, assisting him almost daily in
sriticising his sketches; in fact, IcOuld
reverse anything for him, except his
buck. We had been together some
time, when one day she came into our
studio.
Now, I'm Keen observer when
people are in front of me, and am ac-
eustomed to study faces, but she rather
puzzled me. She impressed me as an
actress, but still. her general appear
ance was almost too artistic for that
She was accompanied by u literary
friend, who had persuaded her to pose
as the heroine for novel which the
artist was to illustrate.
While all this was under discussion
her eye fell on me, and 1 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, III look.
ing around the studio she took me up,
and I will acknowledge it was mu-
tual pleasure, and as she laid me down
with evident regret on leaving l fell
that l had been to der what she had
been to the ILLUSTRATOR bright spot
in that day
Well, they came moro or less regu-
larly to the studio, and the POSING be-
gan. It was . long MS, and some of
tho situations were rather pleasing.
At times she had to stand as if in IL
conservatory with the hero Of tho
novel whispering in her car. Thcn
she was placed at tho piano rs if he
was turning tho music. Again he was
supposed to be holding her hand as
sho stood on the stairs. All these po-
sitions she took with. grace and case
1t was then that learned she was eel
ebrated as an amateur actress, which
explained the impression she ut first
made on me.
Brown Like often found il necessary
topose with her in order that she might
get tho right action; then he'd leave
her and rush at his pencil to make tho
sketch, but in some of tho scenes he
took much more time, it seemed to me,
than was really required in posing her,
particularly when the situation allowed
him to assume tender attitude. On
some occasions he used his friend
Roberts, who was q regular visitor, to
assist in tho grouping. During the
'1rest, she devoted herself with COM
mendablc zeal to playing the banj and
depicting the bonbon box. / learned
che was deep in rehearsing ono Of Gil
bert's comedies, "TheWedding March, -
in which Lake was persuaded to take
a minor part; SO besides the meeting
at the studio they saw each other ut
the rehcarsals.
Now, though 1 have seen u great
deal of life, and consequently great
deal of acting, / had never been pres
cnt at o play-and SO was delighted
when taken the first night to the -
Club theatre.
1t was entirely 6. new world to me-
There was only one small looking
glass in our dressing room, end it was
Hattering to me to be so much in de-
mand; it was also q revelation TO SEQ
with how much eagerness the ambi-
6ouG amateur looked into my tell tale
face. had always been accustomed
to this from the 'gentler SEX" but to
be so sought after and consulted by the
men was G new end amusing expert
ence.
Z Afterward 1 was taken into the
make up room, where two busy deco
rators were making the peachy cheeks.
tho jetty eyebrows, the cherry lips and
4he nlabaster arms for tho stage; and
though there wcrc two largo mirrors
In the room, they wcro 90 crowded
about, that, when my presence became
known, was nearly cruehcd by the
general eagerness 70 get one lcol. into
my clear face.
Tho room VICE aS bright end pretty
Go c bed OF flowers in full bloom. The
postume5 were picturesque and becom-
ing to the young ladies, who wore any
9ress that suited their particular style,
Ebile the men, according to tho play,