The age-herald., 1900-03-11

ceit as I could He asked where I had played last. told him 1t was my first ex- perdence. He raised his eyebrows, took down my name and address, and said he d let me know if he could get me placed He evidently could find no place for me, for that was nearly four years ago, and up to this morning I have heard nothing from him.
 I next went to a theatrical agency on up- per Broadway, where had heard a chorus was being collected. The manager tested my voice, found it satisfactory and asked:
 Any experience?'
 "None," I replied
 How do you think you'd look in tights?"
 "Pd never, never wear such things!''
 Good by!'
 My heart sank as I went away.
 I have computed that about one girl in five who applies to a first-class manager gets a position. She will secure this for one of four reasons: Pull" good voice, good shape, pretty face. The girl with the last three qualities Is bound to get a position sooner or later.
 A friend gave me a letter to Oscar Ham merstein, whose new Olmpia was just then tine talk of New York. He was preparing his tuneful opera, Santa Marta" for the stage there.
 I entered hds office and presented my let ter. He read it and asked:
 sSo you want to go on the stage? What can you do?'
 'Anything I'm told to-" answered 'T'm a novice, but I'm willing to begin at the bottom of the ladder, and I'll work ever so hand to climb to the top"
 '"They all say that" he replied, 'but somehow they newer do 1t. I'll send you to my stage manager, MT. Smith, and let him try your voice."
 MT. Smith heard me sing, then went back to MT. Hammerstein with me. ss~
 At last MT. Hammerstein said he would try my vodce. He sat down to the piano, and with fear and trembling I sang. He tested the range of my voice and tried me on sustadning several high notes. Then there was another pause, and again my heart fell to my boots. At the end of century of thought Mir. HammerStein actually offered me @ part in 'sSanta Maria" It was a chorus part, but had, besides, a few words to speak. A month earlier would have scorned so Insignificant a role; but now I accepted 1t with rapture.
 I am told that some managers ask girls insulting questions, speak to them insolent- iy Other managers humiliate applicants by insisting on judging for themselves as to the girls physical qualifications for chorus costume.
 These brutes, am glad to say, are sell dom found among first class managers. Such managers are trained to ten at a glance af a girls figure is suitable, with- out forcing her to pose for them in any degrading costume. MT Hammerstein told me to report for work on the Monday following my engage- ment.
 I went home with my head in whirl of delight.
 At ten o'clock sharp that Monday morn- ing I arrived at the Olympia, registered with the doorman, and was admitted to the stage A lot of other girls were there all ready. By 10:15 the whole chorus was on hand.
 The stage looked dim and dirty and din- gy The empty, dark auditorium yawned blanlHly in front Where was the e~'---'o nd gleam and glitter? How were these chatter ing business-1ike girls. in more or less shabby street clothes to be transformed in- to the houris of beauty, whom I had so often envied from across the footlights?
 And thus another of my illusions fled. had no earthly notion of the real work I would be expected to do. All I had planned was to look pretty and win ap- plause. soon found out the truth. stood in a corner. very much scared, watching the other girls. and envying their professional coolness. At last MT. Hammerstein hustled on the stage and called out: 'sNow, ladies. get together; sopranos, step