The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-29
ANN LEWIS
Please. just a moment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Don't know her; too busy" I mu:tered
In vexed tone, but not knowing Just
what 10 do just then I wandered of 10 the
side 70 see Miss Lewis. Equally, OF course,
met a callow miss IN her teens too bash
ful and embarrassed IN the presence of SO
mighty a parsonage TO make herself IN
derstood- In a half whisper she stau-
mered:
II want TO see she gentleman to get
on the stage"
Ever played anywhere
"EhT"
No, sir, only IN amerGhuera"
IN what?'
"Amerchuers."
II thought so. UNI; take OF your hat,
please, and stand up. want TO see how
tall you are"
Great Scott! She seemed to be six feet
in height, and. already irritated. I felt
my collar tightening. But realiz-
Ing that We had to get some one for "Sil-
Yer Bud" 1 decided 10 give this girl the
part to read for this rehearsal only.
With a peremptory wait here" I re-
turned to the table, and began the bust
ness OF the morning. Nothing went right:
every one seemed 20 be extra stupid that
day, and reprimands few thick and fast
upon the dellnquents
Have you ever come under the spell of
cranky stage manager? Well, I pity
you when you 90, II you are a beginner.
The details OF the play so absorbed the
attention OF the assembled regulars, that
our little recruit was for the time forgot
ten, and / strolled around back OF the
scenes to get better look At her. She
rad the part OF silver BUD" open before
her, and was trying 10 read IL. 1t is gensr-
ally too dark IN ''the wings" at rehearsal
10 see to read we'll, ana she was leaning
toward the IgN- from The rrf
Jet to see better
\ tremulous vibration Of the pages she
held showed the nervous strain she was
under. 4 sigh OF desperation heaved IN her
breast, and then she drew back into the
gloom, silently knelt down, and covering
her face with her hands seemed to pray.
Wen, now, any hardened old pro Is
touched when good heart interest IS thus
made evident and a feeling OF ''softness"
thrilled me fer moment. l thought Of
a certain advent years ago OF vaulting
genius, and piued the girl.
In moment she was seated In her form
er attitude. reading her part and was
back al my desk.
silver BUD" I sharply called.
Ann remained in apparent oblivion.
sharp rap on the promrter table. and
again the Indian maiden's name was called
Turning towards the place where Ann had
been seated I called to her 10 answer when
spoken 10.
During this brief moment the comedy
man had come upon the scene. and had
spoken the cue for Buds entrance And
sure enough. from the proper place n the
scene there came tlm,dly forward Mss
Ann Her air Of modesty and the shrink
ing demeanor OF the half-scared novice
just suited the necessities OF the cnarac-
to-. When the lines Of the short scene
had been spoken and Bud" had made
exit into house 9. r. H" I followed her.
and softened enough 10 say. That's all
right. But n your scene with Mr.. Carryl
please speak louder"
Returning 20 the stage proper. was
soon absorbed in my duties. and Ann was
stared al as usual by the regulars. who
secretly wondered whether this was an
other Phoebe Davely come 10 mount over
them as rapidly as Mss Dave,y had.
H.
There wa quite another little drama
being enacted at the stage door % the
tAeate- while Ann had bean on her scene.
\ paie-faced mother was there. asking
whether her daughter had gone into the
theater. and tearfully requesting admit
tauce which was denied her ~ the grizzly
ca guardian. She pleaded earnestly
- - let in. She seemed almost beside
herself
"csun't 80 e. rnaan; 'gainss orders.
See that notice.
Poor. gentle mother. She quietly slipped
down a. N 8 bundle almost az his feet,
50 pale. go helpless looking. Her eyes were
peadngsy turned 20 the doorkeeper. and
the rheumatic Old fellow. not without evi-
dent physical pain. assisted the poor
woman 20 AS padded chair.
or course no one on ths stage knew
enythlng % this occurrence. Such things
are not reported by the Back Door for
fear OF disturbing the artists.
The rehearsal proceeded. and Bud 80
pleased ne that I decided % e1trust the
part 70 tbs child. f1r she was only a
child The fu.l week - preparation ended
aaA the play Vas ready fo- performance.
The audience assembled. foot.lsats
flashed and the curtain muse played
D.ng-solnded TIE curtain bell. and the
s0en@ was disclosed 20 ths aud-eree.
The action o, the drama was rapid, sen
sat.ers following each ether 50 quickly as
20 give no ore tine % 90 more than paw
strict attention 70 the movement or TIE
story.
Bud came on and ths audience soon
learned or her love Tor the hero Who IL
the play spurne3 her tender passion sae
IN turn was sought nv a hAlf-breed Mex
!eaa CT tie Jealous. lsGalsh type, "Ao Lad