The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-07
WANTED TO BE AN ACTRESS.
Stage Experience of Bright New
England Girl.

This is the story of the experience Of a
country girl who wanted to be an act
ress. It is in her own words, as she
uttered them the other day to a Boston
Globe man.
Il quite agree said she, with the old
duaker's sentiment that Every one is
very queer except thee and me, and some
times I think even thou art a little
queer but 1 would go farther and make
no exception of myself 1t has always
seemed to me that to be just as queer as
one wished would be the hight of luxury.
and when asked my idea of happiness I
have always replied. "A little money and
never TO remain more than six months
at one place"
Strange sentiment for a girl of twenty
one though true, nevertheless; but, as
my favorite author says THAT does not
belong to this story" for have started
To tell some of the discouragements we
poor girls encounter in trying to become
actresses.
For five years an agony of dramatic
passion has wound itself around my
heart, but my home being with a very
pious and old-fashioned aunt. the culti-
walton of such an art has been attended
with-well, to say the least, much diff
Guilty.
With what artistic and varied ex-
cuses have 1 slipped of to Boston, How
many times have / run down the broad
and commOdious % thoroUghfares of
Boston in endeavors generally success
fuD TO board certain outgoing trains-all
for the sake of an hours lesson with
some retired actor or eX-stage manager,
the emotions of Camille, Frou Frou. Paul
inc, still throbbing in my breast, lending
excitement to the chase!
So far all my efforts and struggles
seemed to meet with no reward. Visions
of transforming company fitted
through my dreams and only a small
remnant of family pride restrained me
from making the vision a reality.
/ had heard a certain critic whose adj
vice and opinion / telt confident would
be of the greatest use to me. Indeed, it
then appeared To me that if I only could
be allowed to reclte before him my future
would, at least, be started.
So two weeks before Christmas I wrote
a meek little note, humbly intimating
that I would like his Judgment of my
ability in the dramatic line.
Days passed before the answer came,
but i'm the meantime ! had awakened to
the fact that in my devotion 10 art my
wardrobe had suffered. and an inspection
gown in which to clothe my talents when
l should make my bow before the great
one.
| am a girl of resources. but not Of
means / busily set about making a cos
tune which should not appear provincial
in the great city.
In my absorbing anxiety as to the
sweep of my bell skirt, and in the fear
that my sleeves would not contain the
requisite amount of cloth. I half forgot
the poor Crea lures whose emotions ! was
70 portray. My genius I'm dressmaking
is always properly rewarded. The gown
was certainly of the smaTteSt, and with
could rise superior TO my last winters
coat
Still the answer 10 my note failed to
appear. Finally II was handed 10 me
from the window of our country post
office by the smiling mistress OF the
mail.
With an eager hand grasped it. and.
hurrying into the house and upstairs 10
my room. I tore ii open. and to my joy
the opening words appointed meeting
but when? on the following Monday at
4:30. Now Monday was holiday, sort
of postponed Christmas. How could /
get away? Too late to telegraph-but
fail to appear Never
/ cannot recall my exact excuses for
my absence. but on Sunday ! started.
friend. IL was showing. SO the splendor
of my costume was enveloped in a mack
intosh. VIII 1 ever forget my early start
the following morning for my friends
house? \ walk Of a mile with the mer-
curry at zero, the train Of my gown to
hold up and an umbrella and bag TO
carry
When seated in the drawing-room car.
bound for Boston, a Dramatic News in
my hand, the play books Of Camille
etc. in my lap, from which ] continually
refreshed my memory, l melted the eX-
tremely proper young ladies who sur
rounded me.
/ felt that what had long been dream
began to assume the form of a reality.
Soon the scene was changed for me by
the entrance of two college boys, who
occupied chairs opposite mine for a short
time our frequent chances and final
adieux were of the greatest interest to
my neighbors, and. when on ordering the
usual buffet car luncheon, l supplement-
ed it with bottle of champagne. their
knew no bounds. But
spirit of recklessness governed my de-
memorial or nothing!
One more hour and I stepped on Bos-
ton pavements. Securing a room at one
OF the nearest hotels. and with last
curl of my blonde locks and final reci-
tatiOn before the mirror. l started forth.
The whole atmosphere breathed forth
the deserted air of a holiday. The street
and number were easily found, and in a
few moments / sat in the reception
room awaiting the coming of the dra-
matte critic
The door opened, and L was in his
presence. After numerous preliminary
questions he asked me TO follow him To
the concert hall
As L crossed the threshold the cold
and empty atmosphere OF the great place
sent a chill of despair to my heart, but
at his request / assembled the stage and
confidently started off on the bold
speeches of Mrs. Sternhold i'm that dar-
ing interview with Hawsley. from that
to the woes of my beloved Camille.
Alas her emotions. which had always
thrilled my soul before that day. failed
To manifest themselves in my acting.
Indeed. her tragedies seemed to pail
before my own
At a fancied look of disapproval on the
Great Ones face l hastily change my
tragic role for the audaciously gay one OF
Lady Gay Spanker." With renewed as
surance / began her opening speeches,
My laugh. generally so full and melo-
dious chow many hours l had spent in
the -,slffva tfos, of said .-opa lfgtic effect