The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-02
Eifc Fay ana Nellie o'NeiI.

Elfe Fay. the little comedienne who is
scoring q great hit at the Grand this week,
worked harder than ever yesterday after
noon to please her audience, and thereby
hangs a tale.
An hour before it was time for her to
go upon the stage with her entertaining
singing specially. she was discussing her
plans for next season with a newspaper
writer on theatrical topics. She sat on a
trunk in her dressing room. occasionally
applying a Dit OF rouge 70 her checks or
arranging her ret lock" Of yellow hair in
she il Just rs fUll CT life eff the stage rs
she IS While Before the audience. and when
she talks she usually has something 20
say-and whatever she says IS right 10 the
point
DO you know. I'm awfulIy ambitious 20
she said, as she thrust hairpin into some
mysterious nook among the yellow tresses.
Il want to star in a musical comedy, and
l m to be given my longed-fOr opportunity
next season. Ms managers-Rush and
the piece in which / am to create the lead
ing feminine part, and l had chance 10
look over the manuscript recently: L like
it immensely. The liberetto is by Fred
Ranken, who wrote the book for lSiGore
Witmarks 'Chaperons;' and the music is
by Gust2ve Kerker, who can write such
pretty melodies. It's a japanese affair.
anu ali OF the acton taxes place III anu
about Toxic during the Chino-Japanese war
OF ten years ago. l think Mr.. Ranken in
tends calling ii Chingaling."
II am to play the part of an American
actress with lots OF money. And just listen
to this-Tm TO make my first entrance in
a jinricksha drawn by six Cinnamon and
I'll drive them across the stage by holding
on to the ends of their pigtails. Isn't that
create" And the little woman's pretty
face shone with radiant enthusiasm, while
her eyes fairly danced in glee.
Il don't like this vaudeville stunt a lit
tie Bit" she went on, turning up her nose
just as she does when she sings OF the
troubles Of the little toy that was marked
down from sixty-three." Il notice that
in writing about me in the Journal you
said that / seemed TO enjoy my work Just
as much as the audience enjoyed it, Well,
you were right about that do enjoy my
work, but the trouble is in vaudeville, / am
obliged to bow myself off the stage just
at the time when I've got my audience
stirred up. don't mean that / would care
TO go on singing several more songs-for
that wouldn't do at all-but l am crazy to
get good part in good, lively musical
comedy where ! can show that L am cap
able of doing other things besides singing
three songs. Vaudeville Is all right in Its
way, but an artist can never amount TO
anything if she gives her whole life UP TO
vaudeville. I've told Rush and Weber
time and again that I've resigned from this
resignation, SO L suppose / might as well
stick it out. There will be only few more
weeks or IL anyway, thank goodness.
"Of course that story about me being
married to Sol Myers, the press agent for
Rush and Weber, was all joke. told
Mr.. Myers that l wanted to cancel all of
the rest of my vaudeville engagements He
said that he would keep me on the road
if he had to marry me. That struck me
as funny, and l telegraphed Rush and
Weber that there was no way out of my
contract, as Mr.. Myers intended to make
me his wife. That's how the silly yarn
got started"
Suddenly Miss Fay's face underwent a
change. A girlish laugh had echoed through
the corridor outside her dressing room,
and then young womans voice was heard
excitedly asking questions. Miss Fay Sprang
from her trunk and landed In the middle of
the dressing room, almost upsetting the
newspaper visitor.
Goodness gracious!" she cried. THAT
voice must be Nellie's Yes, it is Nellie'sr'
popped the diminutive Nellie O'Neil, the
popular soubrette who has often been seer
in Indianapolis in vaudeville and musical
comedy.
"NeieI' cried Ellie.
'Eifiei'' cried Nellie.
And the two fell into each others arms
Heard you were in indianapolis" painted
little Miss O'Neil Couldn't resist tempta-
ton to cOme-was over at small town In
Illinois-ran away and took first train
bully glad to see you
Soon after Ellie Fay was giving her spe-
cialty to laughing audience while the de-
lighted Nellie O'Neil stood in the wings
rapturously applaudng. The two coined
iennes have been lifelong chums and this
was their first meeting in many months.