The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-06

'Don't, please, (" said Mary eff yor
look like that when you sing, you
would make me cry
"When sing I" Constance repeated.
But you can't imagine how painful all
the practical part of the business is. To
go around to the agents like o bale of
goods to be appraised at ones market
value! 1t is terrible!"
81 thought the agents came to YOU, >"
said Priscilla.
$50 did L." said Constance. "but
they don't. You have to beg them for a
hearing. And most of them are men
we'll, such men, Priscilla! Ihate them. :"
This she said with hot flush, which
den gray pallor.
"Why don't you take some one with
you?" suggested Priscilla.
II am too poor. Besides it would do
no good. No one can help you but your
self. We live as we die alone. We sign
our own engagements. There is honor
among thieves. 1t is the rarest thing in
the world to find honor among vocal
agents. They fleece American girls.
They consider them their natural prey,
and then they laugh behind their backs
for having been gulled"
"Why don't you go home?' inquired
Priscilla; then she drew herself up short
as she thought of Stornmouth
Constance shook her head. 81 will
never return now," she said. "until
am a success. You don't mind my be-
ing amused now when you speak of
singing in grand opera, do your
ono" said Priscilla obviously "But
American girls have sung there
"When they do" remarked Con
stance mournfully, "they are so badly
treated they areiglad to get away"
Priscilla seemed to see her beautiful
dream vanishing like the sun behind a
cloud
81 don't mean to be discouraged, .
she said.
"Y on will be the only American girl
studying in Paris who thinks who is
not, - returned Constance harshly.
"Listen. When YOU have consented to
make singing your profession and are
studying, you must not go out nights.
Dancing dries your voice. 1t weallens
your vocal cords You must not speak
IN the open air after singing. 1t gives
you a sore throat. You must not eat
nuts or certain vegetables. 1t makes
you hoarse. You must not worry 1t
tires your voice. You must walk to
keep up your strength. You must re-
nounce all your friends in order to
have time to work You must hone
against hope, because you must work
against people who are ahead of you
| through their vile talent for the basest
lntrigues, with less accomplishments,
with utter lack of refinement, with
nothing holy or reyerent in their pur-
| pose, with but one idea in their souls
to be seen. have sung in italy for
nothing. l have sung in the provinces,
where my managers made fiasco AID
we were obliged to close the doors. My
enemies say 1 was the cause. 1t is not
true"
"It is awfully norrnful, - said Prs
ella, with little shudder, 'sbut yes
are morbid. are you not? 1t seems to 1.s
if you could be heard by theright agent
you would get on.
1udb suONS yOuI lSlCIdliCS, NDil-
stance affirmed sadly.
"What are you studying now?" asked
Priscilla.
81 am going over old roles and wait
ing. We are all waiting. Every six
months about four of us get an engage
ment and the other 1896 twirl their
thumbs. Our youth is going; our voices
are nOt pnttinp vOunpa -
81 would rather" suggested Priscil-
la, Ego home and sing for my friends. -
'That doesn't pay" returned Con-
stance coldly.
Wouldn't you sing in church?''
s'My voice has been trained for the
stage. It's the difference between wine
andwater, singing dramatically or sing.
ing otherwise
"It's funny, isn't it, F" said Mary
dreamily, curiously unaware of the in.
efficiency of her adjective, "it's funny,
isn't it, that the one thing we wish tc
do in this world is nearly always the
thing we can't do or find it hardest tc
do?"
"That is just the reason we wish te
do it,, said Constance mournfully,
wiping her eyes furtively II love the
fight, but can't imagine any one bu
poor girl like me doing it unless 1t i.
necessary"
Society is so hollow. " said Priscil
la. "You dom t know how things have
changed since you were home, dear We
are all going in for the higher life, sucl
as art or mental science. Dancing ant
golfing are not enough. ("
eyes," said Constance obviously
Then she leaned forward and took tn,
pretty speaking face between two ten
der hands
"Do you know what would like fo
You, Priscilla?" she said. II would like
to see you married and settled Mar
riage is woman's sphere The rest il
for US queer exotics who are tossed GU
to battle with the elements through tn,
force of circumstances I don't believe
a woman, if she told the truth, would
ever look for any higher sphere thai