The record-union., 1897-09-12


CORRESPONDENT of the Record Union,
has this story 10 tell Of an experience
at a performance Of the Heart or
Maryland:
There is a humorous side to every
thing and never was this fact more
strongly impressed upon my mind than
the other evening when I went to see
Mrs. Leslie Carter in The Heart OF
MARYLAND" at the Baldwin Theater,
San Francisco.
1t was Saturday evening, about half
past : o'clock, when I suggested to a
friend that we should attend the the
ater. Fancy anyone attempting TO go
to see Mrs Carter on a Saturday night
without reserved seats, particularly
when he is aware of the vogue Of the
production. some people are thought
less and perhaps I belong to that ilk.
At any rate. I walked up to the box
Office and tried TO get tickets for two.
1 was disappointed The whole lower
portion of the house had been sold out.
I stepped to the side, intending to get
seats in the gallery, if nothing else was
available Here 1 was greeted with the
Standing room only" sign. con-
suited my friend, and he wanted to go
that the theater was already packed
seemed to make my desire to enter
more intense, and I persuaded him to
go in and stand We could at least stay
an act and see how promising it would
prove.
When we reached the gallery there
was not even standing room. We
couldn't even get a glimpse of the
stage. We called an usher, and he
agreed to put US in the aisle for fifty
cents each. The aisles We're crowded,
too. but he managed to get US down in
the very first row, which he had been
holding. The other aisle seats had
been sold for twenty-five cents, and
they had held the first row at fifty
cents We happened to be the fortu-
mates who got them. We could see
excelently and We're soon eagerly scan
ming the cast Of characters, scenes,
etc. on our programmes. Seated in
back of US were two young ladies, be-
comingly attired and certainly pretty.
From their conversation we found that
they were in much the same predica-
ment as ourselves. They were suburb
antics and had not been able to get
seats.
Ny friend and I were talking earn
estly. when a man and woman squeezed
past the seated people to their seats
which were next to US. The woman
was a tall. thin woman with tailor
made suit. shirt and collar and jaunty
Fedora hat. She looked like an old
maid-one of these new women.
As she finally reached her seat she
looked at me fercely and said: It's a
wonder you wouldn't let a lady pass
I walked through the aisle in back Of
you and tried to get through, but you
never moved"
I beg your pardon, madam I said
apologetically, but I didn't see or hear
you"
Very strange" she retorted. sarcas-
tically. 4 spoke to you and you never
budged."
As a matter Of fact, [ did not hear
or see her Besides, the young ladies
who were seated on the aisle seat in
back of me would have had to get up
first and let her pass. It was they who
never budged Now if there is one
thing above another on which I pride
myself, it is in being gallant to the
ladies' I certainly had no object in
keeping the lady from passing But
like a good many women, when they
become angry. she also became incon-
sistent
Just listen to her blaming that
young man" said one Of the ladies in
back of me.
oh, I suppose we Will have to act
like the Romans when we're among
them" said the angry lady, addressing
herself TO her escort who was doubtless
her father
You mistake me-" I ventured once
again. Had 1 known you wanted to
pass / would certainly have stood up"
"Oh. ] don't know whether you would
or not" she answered, insinuatingly.
My blood was aroused. For practi-
cally nothing she had called me down"
before a crowd who. of course, listened
attentively.
The ladies in back of me We're on my
side and punctuated the chilly silence
which followed with: WHY didn't she
sing out that she was coming. We
would al have rose"
This was too much for the angry lady
who was now settling herself comfort
ably in her seat.
We'll" she said, tersely. 4 did think
there was such a thing as courtesy"
I trust YOU will overlook this appar-
ent lack of courtesy I said. trying TO
be cool, but I assure you''-
Sick her Towseri" said some one
and then she turned her head the other
way. evidently seeing how her actions
were interpreted. Her escort and my
friend were not parties to the affair
although my friend said: Don't talk TO
her. I wouldn't waste my breath on a
woman who tries to pick up a quarrel" :"
she heard his remark, but only sat
up more erect. and stared at the wall.
Presently the curtain arose and The
Heart of Maryland" began. It turned
out TO be excellent Mrs. Carter. with
her fire-red hair, her melodious voice,
and clinging gowns. was delightful.
The third act is the great act" of the
play. and the magnetism and intense
emotional work of Mrs. Carter forces
You TO perspire and even hold on to the
seat. I was thrilled and, when Mary
land Calvert bounced uaon the villain
with cat-like ferocity. I wanted to clap.
But suddenly the stage became dark and
III an instant you could see Maryland
climbing the belfry steps. She grasped
the clapper of the bell. which would
have sounded the alarm of her lovers
escape, and swung far out into the air.
The audience clapped. The effect was
realistic and the daring of the actress
moved all
The curtain fell. and the clapDing and
whistling and stamping was deafening.
The audience was really enthusad, and
they We're going TO show their apprecia-
ton. Like the rest, I aDplauded fran
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