The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-01
Stage Struck Girls
One Tells How She
Fared in New York.

j DIX herald LEE CAkCA AEAAN-- 49, -
lates her story as follows:
We were four girls who had come 10
New York from the west with desire
to go on the stage and an idea that our
histrionic genius would become self-evi-
dent TO the managers OF the metropolitan
theatres before many months had elapsed
In our native western town We were
known and highly commended. both for
our amateur and professional work, and
as elocutiOnists had taken such high rank
that even the critics on the papers Of all
the neighboring towns predicted bril-
liant things for Us.
We were pretty and each OF a different
type. One of us was called the Glib
son girl Of the west" another was of the
Burne-Jones type" the third resembled
cleo de Merode" to such marked de-
gree that the New York papers wrote
about her experiences as being taken for
the French dancer. and the fourth was a
timid looking little ash blonde, with large
appealing blue eyes and a Grecian nose.
We were young. quite young. scarcely
twenty, but chock full Of pluck and en-
ergy and with an engaging stage pres
ence. which we meant 10 improve every
day-what did we fear?
We drifted apart after we had been in
New York while, and for nearly two
Years seldom heard of each other. one
day. to our surprise. we found that we
had been assigned small parts in a forth
coming New York production.
When the first rehearsal was called we
sat and eyed each other somewhat coldly.
and had it not been for the little ash
blonde perhaps We never would have re-
newed our acquaintance. but she invit-
ed US to her room for little reunion-to
talk over old times-and we reluctantly
decided TO accept, half for the curiosity
of hearing about each other but more
because Of the appealing look Of the blue
eyes. which seemed 10 make ii impossi-
bic to refuse
The little ash blonde had improved
wonderfully. We hardly recognized her.
Her hair had taken on more golden
tinge. and her gown was the newest
style and shape. Her eyes were more
appealing than ever. and looked brilliant
by contrast Of the darkness of the shad-
ing beneath them and the heightened coll
or of her cheeks and lips
We wondered at the magnifcence Of
the apartments she ushered us into. and
glanced enviously at the costly bric-a-
brac and silken draperies which hung in
the doorways Of her rooms. separating
them and giving a gloomy air Of grand
eur and ease to everything
When we were seated comfortably in
the dining room and ready TO drink the
tea that the French maid was serving
she gave us her idea Of what constituted
success and the road to success on the
stage.
do you know" she said. that have
long ago decided that the one way to sue
coed on the stage is to be+-weIl. comfort
able. If a girl is badly gowned and i'll
fed looking what manager will take an
interest in her and give her an engage
ment? Not one. It's ali stuff and nom
sense about succeeding on ones own
merits. It's impossible. because you
don't get a chance to show what your
merits are. l found that out long ago.
1t took me nearly two years to do II.
though; but now that I've made what
consider to be Il proper start and saved
sum Of money. have nothing TO fear.
and feel positive that I shall make rapid
strides.
Il am ambitious: 7 live for the stage.
because I love it: and is it not funny
how. no matter how miserable we NAV
have been. let one thing come along that
points toward success and we are happy.
Until a very short time ago I was SO
unhappy that ! simply dreaded each dav
Of my life until my opportunity came
embraced it. and here I am with every
comfort. I can call on nv manager or
agent and they receive me differently
now. simply because I am prosperous
looking and they know can dress p
part we'll
Il remember when stood for two
hours at a time before our little mirror
way up in my hall bedroom. dressing
with great care. because I hoped n make
an impression on manager. Then I
called, and il I did get TO see him he
would look at me as though 20 say. You
poor little upstart. why should We give
YOU anything when there are plenty Of
stunning women with fine clothes anx-
ious to act a part Tor almost nothing
"One day An actress, a successful one.
played in a company In which I was an
extra girl. said to me. My dear. you
need clothes; YOU must dress better: You
must have a new gown. T-ntn you can
present some kind Of an appearance you
won't amount 70 a row Of pins
Il explained that ] had no money. that
my salary was scarcely enough 10 pay
my board 50 she suggested that 7 Dor
row. She knew ~ many people. rich
influential-wh7 would be glad 70 assist
a struggler on the road 20 fame. and she
kindly offered to Introduce ne met
many brilliant people after that. and soon
caught glinpses ~ a gayer llfe than I
ever thought To experience. am never
without amusement aow. and since then
things have come ny way. 50 al present
7 am happy
We lstene7 in silence 70 the unfoldi7y
Of her exp-risrtc ard saw pictured BE-
fore our eyes car own experiences. CoBiI
any ~ Us cast the stone2
The cleo do Merode girl was the first =
break the silence. she asked FOR oIrar-
cite. He watched her Ug1t g. SIC had
long since left oT The peculiar hcs5dress
she had sneetei. and her hair. pom3s-
doured away from her face. accentuafed
rhe pai2r of beg skin and fne sadness
~ her eyes. Sha. too was vell gnw.@1
but in a less sun rfe78s styls- Her dress
was black and neatly brushed and closer
Inspection showed 81 vas a tri9e threat
bare Sc places. Ire tins p8Ts ~ smoke
issued from He- mouth and formed
halo above ser bead she leased back n
Per chair ard sToke
~Tt IS q1ee~. done yca drink h7w 49,
going OK IA the e.. ris 20 struggle f1r
c1~eer ras changed Esg yyaa w1zi8 rc-
oguizs rs es ths fou- Egat-aeartef srIe
Mo started away together only tus
yeavs ago. HsVs E= changes fer fhe
ae-sers douht &. 5sn'- think have.