The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-25
A Girls Dream.

| Fate prolongs all joys, so what there was
| in delaying brought only a reward; brief
! little note asking an opening in my cele-
DRAFTED troupe of singers and dancers.
OF course I was surprised. She who
| lived in so much elegance to step from
the pedestal Of luxury 10 adorn the rough
! boards OF fame. Yet she did have an eX-
! cuse-it was a woman's plea, 30 tempting
no one could refuse the offer She was
simply stage struck and made up her mind
/ to ask a hearing-just to see If she really
! had any talent. Fire burns brightly in
! quiet places, so thought to myself, per-
! maps this girl might be the coming genius.
| Who knows, but if I refuse the world may
be cheated out Of its greatest pleasure.
! Slowly, I deemed II wise to beg her to
call. On the morrow there was to be
! a rehearsal Of my new troupe, and the
! Opportunity she longed for would be open
to her ambitious ideas; If she had talent
we would work together and make a
| name out Of the little inexperienced.
Next day she came, accompanied by an
| elderly lady, and in my over-enjoyment
to hear her sing again, forgot her timid-
gty. the presence of the chaperOne-all
| seemed whirling in a dance of light and
her young face stood out so prominently
as If reckoning every thought to listen
| only to the sound of her voice.
What would she sing! Ask a girl to
| show off her beauty and she will do some
| thing that others have praised, so asked
| her to sing the light air she had sung
| while 1 paused before her window.
Did my new prima donna love the stage?
! Ah, ask the butterfly if 1t loved the gar
den! She was fascinated with the pros
! pect before her. When the rehearsal was
| over 1 called her aside. Believe me, I
! said candidly, but you sing so gracefully.
: iS nd a
| prescribed balm to lift shadows; I might
/ say 1t Is the worlds easy touch, so much
! comfort lies in the mere words, you do
! this and that so charmingly! She turned
! to me and answered:
Truly, time seems to be an object of
! pity; it reminds me of a story once read,
years ago, called the Valley of Tears
! Every one is pictured with bundle on
| his back, rushing toward the setting sun.
| Life is similar to that. Every one is in
haste to get there before his nelghbor-
/ and use little gifts. This sort of 'blarney-
/ stone speech to win their way to the in
! lner road. 1 wonder If l had no voice, no
! special gift. would you admire, at least.
/ find charm in the poor bird that haA no
! plumage?"
; You are asking me to condemn the gods
| for making woman beautiful! But 1t is
not always beauty that softens mems
|
! pity I have known homely faces who
/ found as much warmth in my affection as
the gift of handsomeness. Nature IS like
a concerted piece Of music-some strains
| may attract me where you find them dull
! and insignificant. Now, 1 admire you
| for" but here came an interruption.
| ! 81 say" said the little EnglislEnan, who
was trying to raise a tenor voice-"I say
what part do play in the CHINESE
| / Henry Grenicheaux!" 1 answered, has
| lilly, meaning the title role.
! 80, no. you forget" sang out another
voice. You promised that part for me-"
} Helen was puzzling me with her smiles.
! Perhaps she felt that was becoming the
bone of contention, and she said somewhat
proudly: Leave that to me. Whoever
makes love the most naturally shall have
the part"
! She herself was cast for serpolette,
hence she would have good chance to de-
eide.
'"Tis wonder" said one tihid cnoris-
ter, why the manager does no. play that
part himself"
80, no. answered her companion. "He
has to judge. instead Of being judged. 1t
is so easy to do that. Besides, I don't
think she cares to sing with him, either.
| She has her eyes in another direction,
and if"
"Well," shouted the pianist, angrily,
r'What do you take this for? A meeting
where you tell all you know and invent
what you don't know" But Miss Cos
siper switched her dress and she and her
! companions were out of hearing,
He came up to me and said. Pardon,
monsieur, but If you please we will now
begin" and at the nodding of my head
| he raped with the baton on the piano,
then struck a few bars. Silence. which
long since had changed to joyfulness,
again reigned.
Opening chorus from the Chimes
| Now, ready. One, two, three! No, no, nor
she shouted angrily. You must be prompt
on the third beat. Now, again." but the
| pianist shook his head. THAT will never.
never do! Who ever heard of singing an
opening chorus in lullaby style? You
must be lively-be dashing, Just as If you
| had on your holiday clothesi You are
| supposed to be maid servants about to at
tend the fair, and must sing as if you
! were overjoyed with the hope of getting
a situation. No one would hire you II he
| heard you sing that way, unless some mu-
! scum of anatomy were in need of nasal
twltchers." Then he sang the air and
gave them the idea. Helen sighed deeply.
! How laborious 1t must be. Yet life IS all
'work-everything has the same poor be-
ginning.
I was thinking deeply and perhaps an
/ swered carelessly: You speak as If you
were in love"
y in love, No. Love is not the safe
guard for any one who means to be an
actor You must discard that feeling
which the poets say only belongs to the
| gods
A murmur ran through the chorus
s'She talks Of gods! Q. yes, l see Then
a tittering laugh followed. Gallery gods!
| ia! Hav'
Some souls have strong desires. yet are
| so easily discoura ged. Helen was one Of
/ this mold. She hated the compliments
which the troupe paid her. for they be-
/ came envious OF her strong hold with me
one glimpse Of real misery is enough to
/ sicken the warmest heart, and when uret
! the eyes OF her who but a moment ago
seemed so full o. hope I saw that they
/ hlled with tears.
! Monsieur, appreciate your kindness,
: but 1 am sick Of what little experience
/ have had in this atmosphere they call
the stage It is so full Of envy, so little
/ show Of friendship, that l am too weak
TO brave the conclusion"
What! Discouraged already Why"
said I sadly. you have only passed the
/ drst boundary"
II know il: I know Il. but 7 viii never
/ become 8 being made for mere show. u
am going home 20 try and be a pleasure
70 ny friends. That place is more suita-
! Die 10 my habits
These were her last words-tn fact, the
last I saw Of her-until one day I attend
ed services in northern city( where the