Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1894-07-20
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.

the most fulsOme laudation were fairly
belched 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 refectors of public opinion-had
been unanimous in saying that gave
promise of eclipsing Mary Anderson, and
that my methods closely resemblcd those
of Adelaide Nelson, I 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 it!
had even determined that my salary,
with the percentage of profits, should
never fall below $3.50 week That was
to be made portion of my contract. In
fancy could see myself at fine hotel re-
ceiving the cards of obsequious managers,
all anxious to disprove the oft iterated as
sertiOn that there is not a fine tragedienne
in America.
The first feature of this picture was
verified. went to the fine hotel-staid
there one day, in fact, at cost of nearly
So. 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, concluded to
retrench. I began economizing by going
to theatrical boarding house where the
stipend is S. week for little box of a
room; about six yards lin strips) of de-
jected looking, moth stricken, once-was-
brussels carpet; a 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 1.-The shades of night were falling
FAST had SO much to say with so little
provocation.
leisure moments, and there have been
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-
Spouse to my notes sent in by the guard
ians at the office doors to the effect that I
wished to see them to arrange about a
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 we'll at
tend to. Up to date 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. L concluded
to do SO. 1t would perhaps be better, after
all, to begin as the leading lady of some first
class attraction at SIS or 500 week
and gradually work up into the stellar
galaxy. So, putting my pride and my
decidedly consumptive purse into my
pocket, l sailed forth. When 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 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.
banded, and the unfeeling monster broke
out in a loud guffaw. was SO mad
could have cried, but didn't
The agent said he had had many similar
cases, but never one quite so virulent as
mine. If I wished to register and pay the
very small fee required, it was possible,
though not very probable, that he might
get me on to play small servant girl parts
at SIS to $50 week. I did not condo.
,scend to reply to what 7 regarded as his
premeditated taunt, and I founced out
OF the office. My experiences at the other
agencies were much the same, and de.
termined, after another week had passed
and my pockethook had acquired an alb.
solutely hopeless look of <discouragement,
to return to my native heath. But before
train time remembered the bombastit
statements I had made and how it was
published that should never come back
home except at the head of big company,
and I determined to stick it out little
longer.
/ did so and Of course got in debt to the
landlady for board. Each day was get;
ting more respondent, and gradually ar
rived ut the determination to accept any
engagement In drama or the Legitimate
that might be offered II the salary wert
B not less than $50 Q week. But still I was
unable. 10 get anything. Then I regis
tered at several Of the agencies. The lad,
at the boarding house had 'by this time
begun to ask me for money and driven &c
desperation by her opportunities and ap