Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-06-30
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.

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RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.
one. Paragraphs filled to bursting with
the most fulsomo laudation We're fairly
bclchcd forth at our quiet citizens in each
issue of the papers.
And the cause of 1t all?
had played Juliet.
AS the editors-that triumvirnte of IN
f;Lliblo rctlectors of public opinion-had
been unanimous in saying that I gave
promise Of cclipsing Mary Anderson, and
that my methods closely resembled those
of Adelaide Nelson, l consulted my
friends took the few dollars 1 had man.
aged to save from the pittance which
earned in the factory and started for New
York with the serious intention of secur-
ing n manager to star me in tragedy.
Just think of it!
had even determined that my salary,
with tho percentage of profits, should
never fall below $3.50 q week That was
to be made d portion of my contract. In
fancy could see myself at u fine hotel re-
ceiving the cards of obsequious managers,
all anxious to disprovc the oft itcrated as
sertion that there Is not a fine tragedicnne
in America.
The first feature of this picture was
verified. / went to the fine hotel-staid
there one day, in fact at a cost of nearly
IS. 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. I began economizing by going
to n theatrical boarding house where the
stipend is IS q week for little box of a
room; about six yards (in strips) OF de
jccted looking, moth stricken, once-was-
brussels carpet; n perfect washbowl and
an imperfect pitcher; small looking
glass, from the back of which the mercury
had been frightened a wooden bcdstcad
with mattress apparently of the same
material and one pillow, scctionally filled
with the stuff concerning which the youth
who Through an Alpine village passed"
while tho shades of night We're falling
fast" had much to say with SO little
provoCutiOn.
Since then l have been devoting all my
leisure moments, and there have been
many of them, to the study of-ccCnomy.
l started out to see the most PROMINENT
managers; tho smaller ones l had deter
mined to ignore. Tho former must be an
exceptionally busy lot Of men, for In re-
sponso to my notes sent in by the guard
ians ut the office doors to the effect that l
wished to SEQ them to arrange about a
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 ono
of the prominent managers
then consulted some Of the people in
tho boarding house, and they advised mo
to go to tho theatrical agencies. concluded
to do So 1t would perhaps be better, after
oil, to begin as tho leading lady of some first
class attraction at $75 or 800 week
and gradually work up into the stellar
galaxy. So, putting my pride and my
decidedly consumptiTe purse into my
pocket sailed forth. When had stated
my business to the agent, was told that
my name was not familiar to him. I was
incxpressibly shocked, but when asked
rs to my experience I 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 unfecling monster broke
out in q loud outlaw. I 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 $15 to $40 week. 1 did not condo
scend to reply to what 1 regarded as his
premoditaLcd taUnt, and 7 bounced out
of the Office Ny experiences at the other
agencies were much the same, and I de-
ternined. after another week had passed
and my pocketbook had acquired an alb
solutely hopeless look of encouragement,
to return to my native heath. But before
train Sime I rcmembered tho bomhastic
statements I had made and how 1t was
published thas should never come back
homo except as the head OF o big company,
and I determined to stick 1t out q little
longer
did 80 and of course goe In debt to the
landlady for board. Each day was got
ting moro Respondent and l gradually ar
rived at tho discrimination to accept any
engagements In drama Or tho legitimate
that might bo offered If tho salary We're
not less than $50 week. But SILL was
unable to got anything Then l regis
tered as several of tho agencies. Tho lady
OF tho boarding house had by this time
begun to ask me for money, and driven to
desperation ny her opportunities and ap-
parent heartlesspess cast ambition aside
and told the different offices to put me
down ON the chorus girl list ut SIS per
week, but only for operas where should
not be compelled to wear tights
why, you wouldn't get place In 10
years under those Circumstances, said the
agent who had first laughed at my news
paper notices
1t was an awful concession, but finally
I gulped out Very well. Include the
tights started to leave when he called
mo back and asked If my figure was such
that would feel warranted In appearing
in tights. told him yes, and that agony
was over.
A few days later received a note from
this same man asking mo to call did
so and was delighted when he informed
me that he had something to offer me. I
immediately became OF moro Importance
to myself, and In my most dignified man
ner requested him TO explain the kind of
part was expected to play, whether the
costumes were expensive. how much time
would have to DO devoted TO rehearsals aud
whether should have the opportunity to
understudy the leading lady. I also added
that he might mention the salary.
He replied, with some amusement. not
unmixed with irritation, 1.-The costumes
arc expensive started nervously-" but
they are furnished by the management. !"
breathed sigh OF relief "The part Is
easily within your grasp" bowed con-
descendingly. You viii not be the un-
aerstudy Of the leading lady" tried TO
appear indifferent. I'm short. the position