Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-07-27
MRiAvEN HERALD FAlRHAvEN
IT WAS BY CHANCE.
How Favorite soubretre Came to Go on
the siage-Fronl Flower Girl Onward.

the stage-from Flower Girl Onward.
isn't it interesting to think of the
slight incident in ones life ON which
hinges ones career?' said bright Nellie
McElenry the other day. Nov, my be-
ing an actress is purely the result of an
unforeseen incident. One day was on
my way home from school and met Bill
Virgins, at that time the comedian in
Ben DE Bars theatre, st. Louis, and who
occupied the same house with my par
ents. Said Virgins to me:
Where are you going, little Nellieg
This is half holiday, and I'm going
to play with some girls, said l.
Were you ever in theatrer in
quiredhe.
"'No; but would like to-
"'Well, come along, he replied, and
off we started to the theatre.
at appeared that Mr.. Virgins was on
his way 10 a rehearsal, and when we
reached the theatre everything was al
skies and sevens. Feuillets play of a
Romance of Poor Young Man was in
rehearsal, and Mr.. Lawrence Barrett was
cast for the head. The child who was
10 have played the flower girl had been
detained at home because of the illness
of her mother-both of us were st. Louis
girls, it appears, Well, Mr.. Barrett es-
pied me standing at the entrance. Turn
ing To Mr.. DE Bar, who was at that time
on the stage, he said: Whose child il
thatF
you've got me. don't know. 1t
cff,fnlr 81 81, L
flower girl. The other child is absent,
and | suspect she doesn't know her part,
anyway
II heard every word of the CONVERSE
ton, and observed Mr. Barrett nod his
head, stroke his chin and walk toward
me.
my child, can you readY he com.
menced, ewing me kindly and taking
me by the hand.
"'Y-yes, sir
"'Well, come here and read this part
for me, and don't forget that you are to
read as though you were talking TO lit /
tie friend. Never think for moment of
your Surroundings. but put yourself in /
the place of the little flower girl. Now,
my little girl. commence, and be as nat
ural as possible. Remember, you are no
one else than the flower girl
$50 of ! started ON the manuscript,
reading as naturally as possible, and /
using my best efforts to prevent my legs
from trembling beneath me. Finally /
mustered up courage enough to go ahead
in an assuring way. and finished a. proud.
ly as if 1t were my debut. and | had fin
ished to the fifth curtain call.
Every one applauded, and Mr.. Bar.
rett patted me on the cheek. accom-
panied by a word OF two of encourage
ment
Can't you study those lines and come
here tonight and speak them as you have
read themY he asked.
Certainly, sir.
"'Well, you may go now. Study your
part well. and come back tonight and
you can act
Il can never forget how l posed over
my part. Taking position before the
glass. with my part in one hand. the arm
and the other as free as DOS
siblc. gestured and read and expressed.
W men the time came to leave home for
The theatre | laid my manuscript aside
Tor few moments to snatch a bite of
ood. In those feN moments the lines
had worked 50 hard on had taken
wings and my memory was a blank.
With the tears streaming down my
'heeks | seized the little book. pored
through it and soon had the part pat.
Il arrived at the theatre long before
he time for the performance, and slowly
Vent through the lines over and over. A.
he time drew near for the curtain aud
Turing the overture my heart. which had
ong before began humping my ribs,
continued TO pit-a-pat faster than ever
Observing me standing and twitching
lervously IN the wings, Mr.. Barrett
walked slowly up and in his quiet and :
eserved manner said:
You need not be afraid to speak too
naturally, my child Put yourself in the
lace OF the part YOU play. and il YOU
yer adopt the stagc, never forget this
nd never did.
AS was entirely ignorant OF the time
D go ON, some one whispered IN my ear
4 the middle of the scene: Now, your
lme, Nellie. When you've finished your
art. turn about and walk oil. SO on
rent. and never faitored in line. All /.
he people m the company praised me Il
ARMY. and their encouraging word,
nnckcd al school out Of ma. Every 81,
i,le ! saw Mr.. De liar-and made it "A
oini to see bih oltcn-ny inquiry for
oailipn an his company would be the a.
~ O IL