Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-21

RUNNlNG THE GAUNTLET.
 one Paragraphs filled to bursting with the most fulsome laudation were fairly bclched forth at our quiet citizens in each issue of the papers.
 And the cause of it all?
 had played Juliet.
 As the editors-that triumvirate of in fallible refiectors of public opinion-had been unanimous in saying that l gave promise of eclipsing Mary Anderson, and that my methods closely resemblcd those of Adelaide Nelson, 1 consulted my friends, took the few dollars I had man. aged to save from the pittance which I earned in the factory and started for New York with the serious intention of secur- ing manager to star me in tragedy.
 Just think of 1t!
 had even determined that my salary, with the percentage of profits, should never fall below $50 week, That was to be made a portion of my contract. In fancy could see myself at Q fine hotel re- ceiving the cards of obsequious managers, all anxious to disproye the oft iterated as- sertion that thern- Is not fine tragedienne in America.
 The first feature of this picture was verified. I went to the fine hotel-staid there one day, in fact at cost of nearly $S. Then, as the newspapers of New York had for some unaccountable reason failed to become aware of my presence in the city, and as it was possible that their ig- norance might continue, I concluded to retrench. l began economizing by going to theatrical boarding house where the stipend is $5 week for little box of room; about six yards Gin strips) of de- jected looking, moth stricken, once-was- brussels carpet; q perfect washbowl and an imperfect pitcher; small looking glass, from the back of which the mercury had been frightened; wooden bedstead with mattress apparently of the same material and one pillow, sectionally filled with the stuff concerning which the youth who through an Alpine village passed" while "the shades of night were falling fast" had so much to say with so little provocation.
 Since then have been devoting all my leisure moments, and there have been many of them, to tho study of-economy. I started out to see the most prominent managers; the smaller ones I had deter mined to ignore. The former must be an exceptionally busy lot of men, for in re- sponse to my notes sent in by the guard ians at the office doors to the effect that 1 wished to see them to arrange about starring tour they all sent word that they were sorry to have to forego undertaking my management, but that they really had more on hand than they could well at tend to- Up to date l have not seen one of the prominent managers.
 then consulted some of the people in the boarding house. and they advised me to go to the theatrical agencies. concluded to do so It would perhaps be better, after all to begin as the leading lady of some first class attraction at $75 or $100 week and gradually work up into the stellar galaxy. So, putting my pride and my decidedly consumptive purse into my pocket, I sallied forth. When 1 had stated my business to the agent, I was told that my name was not familiar to him. was inexpressibly shocked, but when asked as to my experience l exhibited the clip pings from the local papers with an air of authority. As the man read the corners of his mouth began to twitch, his lips ex- panded and the unfeoling monster broke out in loud guffaw. I was so mad I could have cried, but I didn't.
 The agent said he had had many similar cases, but never one quite SO virulent as mine. If wished to register and pay the very small fee required, it was possible, tnougn not very pfoDaDle, Unat nc inlgnb get me on to play small servant girl parts at $15 to $20 0 week. I did not condo scend to reply to what I regarded as his premeditated taunt and I fiounced out of the office. My experiences at the other agencies were much the same, and de- termined, after another week had passed and my pocketbook had acquired an ab- solutely hopeless look of Encouragement, tO return to my native heath But before train time I remembered the bombastic statements I had made and how it was published that should never come back home except at the head of q big company, and determined to stick it out little