The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13
NERVOUS TRIALS
 OF AN UNDERSTUDY,

l We are set of aspiring young peo- pie who are studying for the stage on our own account, and we prefer the practical lessons of the theater to the theoretical ones of the dramatic schools. Of course, there are under studies and understudies-some mere makeshifts, to whom many opportuni- ties come, but upon whom nobodys mantle ever falls. The genuine under studies are those who have the divine fire in them and simply wait modestly but eagerly for their chance.
 The accidents that give understudies chance to move suddenly to the front happen every day. Girls jump from the chorus to leading roles in comic opera. The boy who came on the stage with a card-tray last year and pompously announced "Mr. Blinkinsquigg McGuin- ness" plays good part this year. Even the property man who holds aside the curtain through which Rose Coghlan passes when, as Lady Janet Maclin- tock, she arrives at the Duke of Shet- lands ball-yes, even he, through op- portunity, may develop into a farce comedy star in few years.
 And I, who watch Miss Coghlan night after night from my place in the ball. room-who knows but some unseen chance is near for me, her understudy.
 How we understudies long for that chance, yet how we fear it. Every night we stand in the wings, watching each expression and movement of those on the stage. Sometimes our imagina- tion carries us beyond the present time. The great, the lookedfor night has come. We are on the stage saying our lines, The loud burst of applause, the curtain-call, is for us. We have sue ceeded.
 Then the property man calls "Strike!" the stage hands begin to change the scene and we are hustled from our snug retreat We realize that we must hurry and dress or be late for the next act. AS we mount the stage to our dressing-room we comfort ourselves by saying, Well, maybe it will be tomorrow night; I will be even better prepared then"
 A principal generally delights in tell ing her understudy that she is very i'll, almost too i'll to appear, and then watching the effect.
 Sometimes, quite often in fact, she will come to the theater blooming with health yet secretly inform her under study that she felt so badly all day that it was only with the greatest difficulty she managed to report for the matinee. And, my dear child" she will add, 'be prepared to go in my place this evening"
 And then night comes. You go with out your dinner; you remain at the theater between the matinee and even- ing performance: you spend every mo- ment of your time getting on a good makeup; you nervously say your lines and cues over and over. You pray for success; you think of the glories of to- morrow, following this evenings work. You are so happy. Of course. you are saying that Miss = is ill., and you sim cerely hope she will be well-to-mor- row!
 You even make up your mind to send her a lovely bunch of roses. You think she Is one of the sweetest women you ever met. And then, just as the half hour is called. you hear her merry laugh, and you go to her dressing-room, all the while your heart beating rapid 1y, and you softly ask her "how she feels" She will reply that her head ache is entirely cured and she never felt so we'll in her life.
 And I am not the only understudy who has had worries and trials.