Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-23

consistent for a physician to say TO the
earnest student of medicine, when asked
if he should become a doctor. for him
to say:
Don't"
Quite an interesting and authoritative
exception to the great list vi discour-
ayers to a life on the stage is Mr.. James
Neill of the splendid Neill company that
is soon to make it's re-appearance in this
city.
meaning" says Mr.. Neill, that it has
crowded out one of it's letters. 1 don t.
know of a word that can freeze a hope.
fuls feelings better. Big people like to
use it, and very often in a way THAI
mounts to little less than saying that
they can do what nobody else can.
What started me on thiss subject" said
the distinguished actor who always has
a kind word Of encouragement for every
Dody. was when a Oun lady expressed
a desire to go upon the stage. She con
fessed that she had to do something to
earn her w living. Her appearance
was in her favor. Her head did rot
not touch each other, nor did her chin
sink into a figure of space. On the con-
trary. she had a low, broad forehead, a
nose that was we'll defined, with just
breadth enough at the base to inspire
trust, lips With just redness and fullness
~ NiioN CIIo " ISuiC tlld
was artistically roundtd Her voice was
good and her manner serious. She ex-
pressed her desire to an actor friend OF
mine-a gentleman who has been one of
our most prominent stars for several
years. Still, she went away with no
other comfort than could come from a
patient digestion of this crushing little
word: Don't
why shouldn't a girl go on the stage
who has to depend upon herself for sup
port? This, of course, assuming that she
has natural advantages Of face, figure and
a voice of some application. Would she
be any better off behind a desk in the
close atmosphere of a saleroom? and
working under the artificial glare from
dawn until dark? Would there be any
improvement in her lot if she We're to
sit bolt upright before a typewriter under
the same pressure of time and air and
automatically follow the wordy wander
irgs of a red nosel lawyer? How about
standing behind a counter from break
fast till supper waiting upon the
caprices of her w g l might follow
this out indefinitely, but what is the use?
You can see the drift Of my argument
and will mentally supply all the COM
parsons needed. Some people talk about
the moral atmosphere of the stage. Why
don't they talk about the moral atmos-
phere of stores, factories, and other con-
Germs that enlist feminine help? There
isn't the same need Tor 1T, you say. FOL
de-ltol. Did you ever make a fine study
of the temptations which besat girls in
these different places? 1t is fair to pre-
sumo that you didn't, OF you would
whistle another tune. Stage people are
under a disadvantage in this respect. in
that their rarest falling is magnified by
considera tion, and given a
squint of wickedness which repels the
sanity reader A more serious mistake
happening to a person in any walk of life
would be passed over with slight men,
ton, or entirely ignored. | was taught
to earn my own living at an early age
and have roamed o the world a
good deal n I don't know of any BUSH
ness which interests. largely. women in
more helpfully. The absence and home
ishes a pride. which means safety and
long continued happiness.
''Try it, is fairer advice.
IF I should ever write a book of ad-
vice to young people, I should adopt the
words:
"'Tryit.'
eff the person is serious 1t will be good
advice. If he or she is not. the trial will
not hurt them. 1t will simply clip Off a
little of their ronceit and make room for
a little more of their more useful talent.
If a young lady has her own way to make
and leans toward the stage, with fair
points of looks and soun sense, I would
tell her to go it. II she is the right sort
she will not contaminate there anymore
than elsewhere"
MITES NJ TUE crANE