The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-25
BEHIND THE SCENES
STORY By AN ACTOR ILL0sTBAT-
ING A CHRISTMAS EVENT.

the Louis James Company-It illustrates
the Joys and sorrows Of au Actress Our
ing the Christmas Holidays-Coutains
Many Things of Interest to Those Who
see shows Before the Curtain.
Mr.. Collin Kemper, one Of the manag-
ers of the Louis James company. wrote
the following short story for the Eagle
last night. It will be found quite inter
esting holiday reading, especially by
those who are admirers of the stage and
the life and thoughts of those in the thea
tricai profession:
| The rehearsals for the new Christmas
pay had been in progress for the past
| three weeks. day and night. 1t was now
December % in a year but lately past
The actors making up the Hanover
Street Theater Stock company had one
and all awakened from refreshing sleep
after the last rehearsal. which ran far
| into the wee sma' hours of the holy morn
The production il preparation was
| '.AIeeomeme the Daughter OF the Clouds"
an extravaganza with its many scenes
laid in the realms of the fairy foiks-and
imaginary worlds hidden away from NOR
tai sight somewhere behind countless
| numbers Of stars and clouds. 1t was to
| be gala day at the theater for juvenile
| theater-goers-they had heard the play
| talked of for weeks-and each childish
heart was made doubly glad because he
| or she was to welcome Miss Stevia Mar
| Deau-ther old time friend who had for
! three years past, danced, for them, ali
| the Good FAIRIES, that appeared IN the
| Christmas pantomimes.
| Stevia, as we shall call her hereafter.
| who was now but 10 years OF age, had
| been forced to earn her livelihood since
| the age of II. Her father dead. she con-
| tributed much 10 the support of her moth
| er and sister living on a small farm close
| to a little town near London. Stevia
| came into the great Metropolis seeking
employment Fortune quickly favored
| her. From becoming a drudge with
| broom and a dustcloth about the Hanover
| Street Thea.er, she became engaged as
dresser to the leading lady of the COM
pany. She next supplied vacancy in
| the Amazon March," bringing up the
| rear with accurate time and talented
step. She attracted the attention of the
| stage manager, who urged her forward
until she found herself dancing in the
| front row Of the most highly applauded
| ballet IN all London. II was here that
| fate stepped into her life and threw about
|
! entrances and exits to and from the
| graces of the Goddess Fortune. Stevia
became the "solus ballerina' of the thea
| ter-that is, she danced all the principal
| characters and solo dances. This quick
| ly won her worldwide recognition. Some
| two months ago she had unfortunately
broken her foot while dancing and since
| that time she had been constantly attend
| ed by physician: making every effort
| to be able to greet her many friends who
| would 4 the theater to receive her in
| the character of ''Meeomeme." But alas
word had 10 be sent, but three days be-
| fore Christmas to the manager of the
| theater, that Stevia could not possibly
| appear for week to come. The mana
ger made the best Of it-but Stevia did
not She fretted-she was TO remain at
| home, cooped up, an invalid-no one with
| her-her apartments were cheerful
| enough--but the great world and all her
| friends were to be in the height of en-
| joyment while she nursed an obstinate
old foot at home. and alone-she would
! have TO eat her Christmas dinner. She
| had written and begged her mother and
! sister to come in TO the big city for the
| holidays-but a reply came that the
/ neighboring children would celebrate at
her mothers pretty country place. Stevia
| suddenly resolved to send for all of her
| companion players to come and make
merry with her. They would have at
| least three hours before the matinee be
| gun. She would spend her last cent in
making feast worthy her good friends.
| Little George, the landlady's son of Z, had
| appeared in answer to Stevia's call. She
would send him with a note TO Mr.. Mark
! ham at the theater, inviting the whole
| company to come to her rooms for a few
| minutes and partake Of her Christmas
spread.
| Here is a letter. Miss Stevia, mamma
| said to div you," said George.
| Stevia took it looking at the postmark
| quickly. opened it and read;
| Il will be with you for Christmas din
/ ner. God bless you. Mother"
She nearly cried with joy. II knew
should not be alone" said Stevia.
| A noise was heard on the steps like
| people rushing frantic, mad, when sud
denly the door almost burst In and as If
F, from a thousands threats some thirty
| happy hearts oppressed their unbounded
| love and joy in those musical words
| Merry Christmas" The company in
| tended this for surprise visit to their
| comrade and had come prepared with
eatables, and drinka bles under their
arms, in pockets and bundles, baskets,
| boes, etc.
Stevia was merry indeed: she almost
forgot her infir1nity, when Mrs. Wilcox,
the ''old lady of the company renroved
her. why. Stevia. sit down. dear, how
dare you get up-and / want a kiss, too"
She got it The others were untieing,
unnailing. and breaking packages and the
noise in the room sounded like pack OF
wild horses rushing through a cane brake
Mr.. Preston ''the leading man" was anx-
ious TO speak 70 Stevia. Marmet Wal
tiers wanted 10 cut ali the bread and Mr..
Andrews the '-old man." fancied he was
making himself useful in picking up the
rubbish when Mrs. Wilcox espied him.
why, Joshua. don't do that; you take
away half the fun by not working. Open
those boxes of tongue" she said 10 him.
Maybe, Mrs. Wilcox, you'll allow me,
hut is some one with intent were 10 box
up some tongue Mr.. Preston would get
| chance to speak TO Stevia," enjoined
Mr.. Andrews. in his dry way. Besides.
the coffee won't ne At u drink unless
y1l make IL
Mr. Preston had joined Stevia near the
fireplace Mr.. Gus Kinney, the come
dian, saw this. he was green with jeal-
ousy because he thought-well. no mat
ter-he intended TO work hard with the
dinner and attract Stevia's attention also
so ne spoke out:
You wouldn't like the part. Stevia-
No. she's only a fairy. like all the rest
you've done at the theater; only she's too
much UP IN the clouds'-putting a large
frosted cake on the table,
Mother Wilcox made this cake, Ste
via, not intending to let up.
Jack Preston was becoming restless,
when Stevia spoke.
Jack dear; you tahnk Mrs. Wilcox
right aow. for me-
Mrs Wilcox had advanced from the
corner Of the room with The tea kettle.
singing