Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-09-12
SHE HAD REHEARsgp HERSELF.
A PiucIEy LlttIel Woman who Got Her
Name on the Bill.

There is little actress now playing
modern parts. who is not well known
and who may never be known 10 the
public, says the n. Y. Tribune. But
she is the example of the plucky
American girl who has to make her
living and perseveres in her work.
The writer was told of her case by
theatrical manager, who was telling of
the rough paths company has often
TO tread when on the road. 1t was in
n town out west where the company
was to play only three nights that
three of the actresses fell i'll. One Of
them played the leading part, and
while the troup was on the road there
was only one understudy-the one for
the leading lady. The leading lady
had been i'll for several days, but she
hoped to appear that night ms usual.
Toward evening, however she sent a
message that her physician had insisted
on her going TO bed. This threw her
part to her understudy. The manager
was thrown into "a panic n few minutes
later by getting word that two more of
his actresses were severely i'll. as this
left the three principal parts without
those who regularly played them, and
there was only one understudy.
But theatrical manager Is accus-
toned to facing hard tasks at short
notice, and he at once set to work to
reconstruct for one night his company.
A woman who took II minor part was
hastily rehearsed for the second role in
point of Importance. She did not make
a success of it, but the manager
breathed a sigh of relief when he had
satisfied himself that she could stun.
bic through her lines in fairly decent
fashion.
Now" he said, having disposed of
this knotty problem. Il must make
some arrangement for this third part"
A little woman who was standing on
the stage came forward and said firm
ly: 81 would like to play that part"
She was one of those women who are
to be found in every play, one who is
lady in waiting in one scene, n part of
the mob in another, and perhaps one
of a garden party in another-one who
walks great deal changes her gowns
many times. but never says anything.
When she volunteered to try tile part
the manager was veXed.
Why said he CURLY. you have
never had line. have you?'
Not many" she answered simply.
you haven't two hours to learn the
lines"
"Oh. l know them very well. Won't
you rehearse meP"
We'll" said the manager. doubt.
fully II suppose l must. We have
got to do something. Come, let's try
it."
AS the quiet little woman with the
serious eyes went over the lines p
pleased smile spread over the managers
face. He nodded his head approvingly as
she continued. and she. encouraged by
his friendliness, lost her first shyncss
and ended with Il fire and spirit which
called forth from the worried manager
Il hearty cry of applause.
"Good" he cried. You do better
than Miss M, who is going to take
the second part. Ah," he added.
shade of disappointment darkening his
face. ''if you only knew those lines"
But ! do" she said. delightedy.
You do? Then +. tile them off just
as fast US your tongue can wag."
So they went through those lines, the
manager becoming more and more
cheerful. Miss M. glad to be re-
lieved of her responsibility, was re-
hearsed in the lines of the third part.
The curtain was few minutes late in
rising that right. but it was smiling
aud grateful manager who watched "a
little woman. whose name he had not
thought to ask. save the company in
so graceful fashion. When the cur
tain came down on the last scene he
asked her how she happened to know
the lines.
II learned them was the happy
reply. Il know all the lines in the
play"
''But you rehearsed so wcll?"
'Oh. used to rehearse myself In
my room after the play. l thought I
could do it." she said with proud smile
on her face.
The actress whose place she had as
sumed did not appear on the next night.
She was sent home seriously i'll. When
the play opened in the next town there
was new name on the program--a
name which had never before been
seen on any program. ard the little
woman whose pluck and intelligence
had saved the company played that
part for the rest of the season.