The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-09

each lady looking, oh. so different from the
airy. brilliant vision that she was to be
half an hour later.
q. Some OF the girls were dressed already
and ere asking inquirngly:
Where. oh. where is the man who is to
make us up" while others looked through
the costumer's selection of hats and asked,
Now, canddly, which one would you Sc
lect?"
Soon more and more ravishing feminine
visions were fitting up and down the
stairs, to the dressing-rooms, and In and
out Of the wings. and friends and acquant-
ances began 10 recognize one another under
the wigs and the paint.
How do you do2" said one pretty peas
ant girl to an adviser of the King. The
gentleman looked at her without a CLEAN of
recognition for a moment and then ex-
claimed joyfully, why. is it you? | did
not know you as a blonde"
How do / look In my dress ?'' asked an
other girl, knowing that the answer could
not fail to be In the affirmative.
More than one gentle peasant was heard
to murmur: please lend me pin"
1t WAS no wonder that King Cadenza fell
into poverty and had to let furnished apart
meDts for llying-his Ministers we're too
frivolous for their responsible position.
They managed TO look grave and curious
before the audience. but any one behind
the scenes could see at a glance that such
Jolly good fellows could never keep the
confidence OF nation. Why, more than
one OF these Ministers actually danced an
mpromptu hornpipe in the palace grounds
before the curtain went up, and any child
could tell what an unbecoming thing that
was for statesmen.
"Oh. lend me your coat, won. you? 1t Is
so cold here, shivered one of the chorus
ladies, whose light costume was less fitted
to Withstand the strong draughts than the
velvet garments of the peasant whom she
addressed. She did not really want his
coat. because she appeared Immediately
after wrapped in shawl; but there was
no doubt about it being cold.
AT last the overture commenced and the
chorus assembled on the stage. white people
who had fingered over their dressing came
rushing on at the eleventh hour.
1t was almost impossible to follow the
opera from behind the scenes-in fact, very
few people attempted to DO it. When the
chorus was not on 1t prOmenaded in the
wings to keep warm or stood In groups and
chatted.
When Elmer de Pue came forth from his
dresSing-roOm, Respondent In the fearful
and wonderful costume Of Don Impresarlo
there was little chorus of obs and abs,
while one young lady's ringing voice was
heard TO exclaim:
why, you look exactly like a bunko-
steerer."
The remark seemed to hurt the impresa-
rios feelings.
Mrs Williams first song momentarlly
silenced the merry chatter In the wings,
and every one pressed forward and tried to
peep through the canvas TO catch a glimpse
OF the sweet singer.
Perhaps it was the fear that the converse
tions behind the scenes might be heard from
the front OF the house that caused Donald
de V. Graham to speak in low tones and
looked worried and anxious. although beau
tifully romantic, as he passed to and for
among the crowd.
when the girls come to you put your
swords In" exclaimed the volube stage
manager, harangulug a group OF soldiers
who we're going on for the finale Of the first
act.
Now draw them. sol"
All the gallant soldiers brandished their
blades with such good-w that a few others
like myself, who had been drawn too near
by curiosity. barely escaped with our
lives as the warriors burst into hurrahs and
took the stage by assault
Between the first and second acts the
principals were photographed by electric
light.
Don't singe my eyelashes." exclaimed
Mrs. Williams. as she and Donald de V.
Graham were taken.
Now. be sure and don't wink" said the
ph Photographer, encouragingly. preparing 10
spring the sudden fash upon them.
1t was easy for the photographer to give
this direction. but imagine the embarrass-
ment OF being took" In loving position
before an entire operate troupe
Mrs. Brechemin was photographed alone.
but no sooner was she placed In the proper
pose than she cried 10 agony:
''My right arm is wagging fearfully."
MARIE EVELYN