Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-13
Cured of Stage Craze.
BEHIND THE FooTLIGHTs Is NOT THE SAME AS
BEFORE THEM.

BEHIND THE FooTLIGHTs is NOT THE SAME AS
BEFORE THEM.
From the Kansas City Times
mo, you wouldn't think it now, but really
was, about fourteen years since, secretly study
ing play-books and all pertaining to stage lore,
Intending to leave my comfortable home and
devoted parents to make, as fully believed, a
triumphant starring tour and then return home
30 laden with honors that-well everybody was
to point with pride to the gifted young actress
Beautiful never could be; but meant to
make my talent do double duty" said good
wife and mother, one whom nobody had ever
thought Of being attacked with ''stage craze"
0, yes, it's all true. was fully determined
to make the trial, though knew it would al
most break fathers and mothers hearts to
have me leave them. thought them a little
old fashioned and too straight laced in their
notions OF the drama, society and what was
proper for young GIRL
Dear honorable, upright old people, the
world has need OF many such as they were.
For two years there were few matinees that l
did not attend; as wasn't allowed beau
never went to the theater in the evening. 1
was bewitched, ready to give up everything if
l could only hope to one day tread the
boards" Failure was not thought of, as only
pictured myself clad in beautiful garments.
the recipient Of countless floral offerings and
courted by everyone who should see and hear
me in my roles.
One Saturday afternoon in December, when
the sun sets early, the day was stormy. bitterly
cold, but couldn't stay away from the play.
Wrapping up well, l made my way to the opera
house, to listen with more than my usual inter
est to the woes Of Lady Isabel and Nine. Vine
in East Lynne"
The Barbara was very nicely gotten up, her
golden hair looked very natural She looked
young, pretty, and happy; the play was draw
rendered SO well that all around me the ladies
wept, while two tainted. Outside the sleet and
rain ratified upon the roof; but we cared little,
as there were music, light, and flowers inside.
!, Its ss worth =; giving up home and loved ones
like this, and III make the leap" was my
thought as ! left the theater, catching a
glimpse at Barbara wrapped in cheap water
proof as she hurried out the door. gave
chase. / wanted to speak with her and hurry.
scurry followed. sliding and tripping in Che
half frozen slush and getting almost breathless
before reaching the shabby house that she stop
pad before.
"A word with YOU" gasped.
door.
"I-I-I-thought I-I-saw-"
"Just come inside" replied Barbara, pitying
my embarrassment, and by degrees picking
from me my stage aspirations.
Now be honest, am not the woman You
expected to see," she said, looking into nv
eyes, while had to answer:
mo" as the golden haired, slender girlish
Barbara upon the stage was totally unlike the
tall, even thin, middle aged, sallow complex
clothed, who sat behind a cot upon which a
young boy lay. I'm not the star" she con-
tinued, 'and my brother Malcolm is a cripple
and all / have left me. My salary barely
sufhces to pay for few comforts and no lux
uries. DO work hard? Am 1 hoping for
better things? No! Did start in my career with
hope, and fair prospect of betterment? Yes"
"And you would really give up home and
the compsnionship of loving parents to try the
stage?"
'Are you strong-bodied, stout-hearted, inn
pervious TO ridicule, scorn, and taunts2 The
public il chary OF its favors Can you, il word
comes to you in the midst Of play, that your
mother or father 10 dying, or dead, can You go
before the fooslighta smile, even laugh Or
in my cup being the money. earned by my
efforts TO amuse bought for them place to die
''Say no more; could not do that" and out
into the street, homeward I went, entirely
cured Of desire to go on the stage.
From that day have priced above all things
| parents and husbands love; home has never
seemed . marrow place, and that sad face Of
B. .Ssn ~ e saw II last haunts me yet.
forever flown, concluded one Of the happiest
wives IN the wide, wide world
Coal Prices REDUcKD.-Twoi important meet.
ings Of Representatives of the six great coal
producing. companies and Of the private opera
tors were held in Now York yesterday. The
former meeting was the principal one Of the
two, and the one which alone took definite
action. The meeting resulted in reductions
ranging from 50 cents to 30 cents . ton, accord
ing TO grade.
| Two PolIcE FoBcSs m IxprAxArorrs.-In-
dianapolis has double police forcl, two po-
bee headquarters, and nobody can tell how
they win secure pay. The board organized BY
the bill passed b. the Legislature met Tuesday
morning and orgnnized police force. This
force included number Of ofioers Of the ola
force. A part o. the men reported and were
sworn In. AL the men sworn In are democrats.
the republicans Of the old force refusing 70 20
cept appotntments under the new board The
before judge and the commissioners. The
city win = once hls IN answer, alleging the bin