The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-07
THE ACTORS DAUGHTER.
She Accomplished Wonders for
Herself and HeI Father.

"Inero, Lhere, Marie, 40 not weep.
OF course I didn't mean that. But only
think. For many years / have had a
regular engagement, and should have
saved money. If you shodld go to the
manager, as you propose, and tell him
that we were suffering for food-that
FOUR old father was lying sick in this
miserable attic-he would tell you that !
had been improvident-that I had squan-
dered my money, and that now, in my
utter helplessness, l 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 u time. She was revolv-
ing in her mind scenes and incidents of
which her father was entirely ignorant.
Let us describe them.
1t was a period three months previous
to the foregoing conversation. The
mother had just been laid in the cold
grave, and the father was, as now, un-
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.
1t was a 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
accost the doorkeeper.
want to see the stage manager, ehT"
Eyes, sir, if You please"
Better wait till tomorrow"
II 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 q
searching look upon the poor girl, and
was about to pass on. But he caught
sight of her face in the gaslight, and said:
"Not bad looking if she is in rags. So
you want an engagement, eh"
Eyes, sir, if you please" replied Marie.
"To play Lady Macbeth, I suppose%
"No, sir; for the ballet"
"Oh! Ever been on the stage before?'
"Only as a child, sir"
"Oh, only as q child! Do you singh"
"Yes, sir-very we'll"
every well, SO you think; I might not.
Do you dancer"
ayes, sir. Father was an actor, and
he says l dance very we'll"
"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 1 mean by props.
Well, they are your feathers, jewels,
ribbons, laees, tights, slippers, gloves,
and SO on. We only furnish the body of
your dress"
The poor girl still hesitated, when the
manager asked again, Cant you fur
nish your own props?'
81 fear not at first, sir was the timid
reply.
seThen we don't want von."
The manager turned away, and Marie
staggered toward the door, half blinded
with grief and disappointment. But ere
she had passed it a gentle hand was laid
upon her shoulder, and a sweet voice
exclaimed, my dear child, come and
see me tomorrow as early as possible.
Herei 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
her way homeward. She could not help
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 d~isappoint-
ment she had mel with. She did not
tell her father what she had done, or
that she had an engagement to meet one
of the great ladies of the theater.
On the next day Marie called at the
place designated upon the card. Her
visit was q heightened one, but when
she emerged from the lady's presence
she looked comparatively happy.
One Of the first things Marie did after
returning home was to find. the half I'm
ished play which her father was writ
ing; and alone in her own apartment
she passed much time over it. She was
also from her home a great deal, during
which time her father supposed her to
be at labor in the tailoring establish
ment where she occasionally found en-
ployment.
But if she became cheerful immedi-
ately after her first visit to the theatre
cal lady, it was not long after before she
began to be thouglstful-then sad. She
became very pale, and at the time the
conversation between herself and father,
described in the first part of this sketch,
took place, she looked as if she could
endure but little more, either of physi-