The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-12-04
HE ACTORS DAUGHTER.

II should be almost inclined to curse
b, Marie, if you did such thing"
Curse me! Oh, father!'
"There, there, Marie, do not weep
course didn't mean that. But only
ink. For many years I have had 9
gular engagement, and should have
we'd money. If you should go to the
anager, as you propose, and tell him
at we were suffering for food-that
Dur old father was lying sick in this
6serable attic-he would tell you that
ID been improvident-that had squan.
Sldered my money, and that now, in my
" utter helplessness, must suffer the con-
sequences Of my folly"
Father, you accuse yourself wrong
fully. You have reared and educated a
family of three, and for many years have
cared tenderly for poor mother, even
through all the varied stages of con-
sumption"
The old actors daughter sat silent and
thoughtful for time. She was revolv-
ing in her mind scenes and incidents of
which her father was entirely ignorant.
Let us describe them.
1t was period three months previous
to the foregoing conversation. The
mother had just been laid in the cold
grave, and the father was, as now, I'M
able to leave his room. The wolf was
lowering around their door, and Marie,
timid in action, but brave in heart, had
resolved to assist the parent she loved so
dearly.
It was bitter winters evening when
she left her home for the purpose. The
sharp blast cut her to the very heart, as
she drew her thin mantle around her
But she had read in the papers that girls
were wanted for the ballet at one of the
theaters. They were to apply at the
stage door that morning, but she had
been unable to leave her fathers side at
that time. She feared she would be too
late; still she could but try.
\ On reaching the stage door her heart
almost failed her; but their home again
rose up before her, and she ventured to
LIfccnst the doorkeeper.
t~'>cWant to see the stage manager, eh2"
eyes, sir, if you please"
"Better wait till tomorrow"
~ tried to come today, sir, but could
not"
''Indeed! Oh, here he comes; you can
apply to him now"
That functionary happened to be pass
ing, and hearing the words understood
their import at once. He turned a
searching look upon the poor girl, and
was about to pass on. But he caught
sight of her face in the gasiight, and said:
"Not bad looking if she is in rags. So
you want an engagement, chr"
eyes, sir, if you please" replied Marie.
''To play Lady Macbeth, SUPPOSE
"No, sir; for the ballet"
sob! Ever been on the stage beforeT'
"Only as child, sir"
"Oh, only as child! Do you sing?"
eyes, sir-very we'll"
every well, so you think; might not.
Do you dancer"
eyes, sir. Father was an actor, and
he says I dance very WELL"
"Oh, then you can come tomorrow
and try it,"
II will be here, sir"
"Bring your props with you."
Poor Marie hesitated; and the mana.
ger, observing this, said: "Oh, perhaps
you don't know what mean by props.
Well, they are your feathers, jewels,
ribbons, laces, tights, slippers, gloves,
and so on. We only furnish the body of
your dress"
The poor girl still hesitated, when the
manager asked again, "Can't you fur
nish your own props?"
81 fear not at first, SIR" was the timid
reply.
"Then we don't want you"
The manager turned away, and Marie
staggered toward the door, half blinded
with grief and disappointment. But ere
she had passed it gentle hand was laid
upon her shoulder, and sweet voice
exclaimed, ''My dear child, come and
see me tomorrow as early as possible
Here is my address"
Marie viewed the extended card and
turned her eyes toward the speaker. She
was a brilliant creature, and the poor
girl tried to stammer forth a reply, but
could not She left the theater and took
Q6T Way UOUleWGTu. Ole COulu uOJ ut1p
thinking of the beautiful lady and her
magnificent dress, sparkling with jewels.
What could she want with her?
\ Even bright pictures of the future rose
before her vision, and these dulled the
sharpness of her grief at the disappoint-
nent she had met with. She did not
tell her father what she had done, or
hat she had an engagement to meet one
u the great ladies of the theater.
On the next day Marie called at the
ace designated upon the card. Her
pit was heightened one, but when
emerged from the lady's presence
looked comparatively happy.
me of the first things Marie did after
rning home was to find the half fin
play which her father was writ
and alone in her own apartment
passed much time over it. She was
rom her home great deal, during
time her father supposed her to
labor in the tailoring establish.
where she occasionally found en-
Pnt