Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-09
SELECTING THE DANCERS.
Woes OF the Ballet Mastsr-How He Maksl
His Cholca-

Woes OF the Ballet Master-How He Makes |
His Choice.
Scene, the stage Of the Theater Bal
let; time, afternoon. NJ. Pirouet, the
ballet-mRster, has advertised for forty
dancers at So week. The stage is
crowded with 453 women of all ages
and of various degrees of homeliness.
The babble of many voices is suddenly
hushed by a clang Of bell. The
master steps forward with great dignity
and surveys the faces before him, while
453 pairs of eyes look at him anxiously.)
@Allons, mes files" he says with a
wave of his hand. "Ici, lei, impatiently.
The crowd falls back a little.
Non, non; ici-dees way, LADIES',
dees way"
Every one rushes at him and he is
surrounded in an instant, Miss Avoirdu-
pois clinging timidly to his arm and al
most dragging the little man to the
floor. He raises his hands deploringly
and waves the crowd back.
"Pas 81 vite-not 20 fast, ladees," he
cries out. "Allons, done, go back.
They all scamper away again except
Miss Avoirdupois.
"Entendez-you muz leesten. Leesten
wiz your ears, not wiz your feet, LADIES'.
En- ligne etroit-make you in line-So;
zat ees bon. Mais, silence-leesten.
Marchez-Un, deux, trois; un, deux,
trois; un, deux, trois; bien."
The women march back and forth for
five minutes.
"Bieu-vous, Mademoiselle de figure
blanche; non, non, re ozer one. Go to
ze side. Allons Marchez-Un, deux,
trois; un, deux, trois- More
marching.
"You veel do. Mademoiselle; allez
vous au droit maintenant; non, non-to
ze right, to re right" Four hundred
and-fifty-two pairs of eyes cast fierce
glances at the lucky one.
l. Encore-once more-un, deux, trois
-Bien. Vous, Mademoisselle, ct vous,
ct vous," etc., picking out dozen or
more of the marchers. Groans of dis
appointment from all sides.
"You veel not do, ladees." Sighs OF
relief heard everywhere but among
those who will not do"
"Encore .deux. trois; un, deux,
trois-gardez le temps; you are too slow
maintenant trop fast. Eth, mon diev
comment vous etes folles-un, deux,
trois; un, deux, trois. Dees will moi
do"
He takes out large handkerchief
and vigorously wipes his brow, walking
up and down the line.
Encore" YEARLY, sun, deux trois.
An hour has gone now and he has
picked out seven young women, who
stand at one side looking scornfully al
the warm-faced marchers. After two
hours the crowd has shrunk to less thar
hundred, and twenty-three have beer
selected. It is easier work now, bu
the master grows warmer and less
patient. At every blunder he screams
aloud in his disappointment. Finally
he goes along the line for the last tim,
and completes his forty. Angry ant
shrill voices reproach him. Miss Avoir
dupois stamps her foot.
"You did not give me fair show,
she cries. "You promised to select me.
"Eh, Mademoiselle, maiz re nombr
ees complet." Tears, sobs and pre-
testations.
Leaves re stage, pleeze, wiz re rest.
Il shan't leave the stage"
@Leave re stage, pleeze." She finall
goes.
; "Mon dieu, it fait tres chaud. Say
the master, pulling forth his handkei
chief again.
"Allons, ladees," turning with sig
to the forty, sun, deux, trois; un, deuz
trois; un, deux, trois-'