The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Curing Stage Ambition.
A True Story of & Remedy which
Worked.


I am going on the stage Mamma 5
n-ilking fuss about it. but there ls
no reason why you should. Now. don't
be angry about it. papa, for have quite
made up my mind"
But papa" one OF the biggest rail-
roao magnates in the far West. proceed
ca 10 make as much fuss over IL as
II his only daughter had announced he-
determination to plunge into the vortex
OF gilest sin The result was that the
young woman went to her room and
painful silence pervaded the dining
room throughout dinner.
The next day the railroad man was
on hts way to San Francisco to see
an old friend who was playing there
William. Il Crane. He got i'm town
In the evening. and shortly afterward
was ushered into Mr. Cranes dressing
room, at the Columbia Theater.
My God, Billy. 80 he exclaimed, what
DO you think? Ny daughter is deter
nlined TO go on the stage
Lord" replied the actor, lis that all?
I thought that some one had died, that
ycu wanted to borrow money. or be let
ia on a poker game In the neighbor-
hood"
For heavens sake. don't joke.
Crane" caI.se the exclamation My
little girl must not go on the stage.
There is no necessity for it. She has a
good home and everything she wants.
What shall dor"
"Let Her Go Ahead"
Let her go ahead" replied the actor.
resuming Work on his makeup.
What do you mean?" asked his
friend DO you realize her mother S
20. IT, Il.
Perfectly" responded the actor.
Now. you DO not want her to go on the
stage. You cannot reason with her, III
wager. She is not to be cured that way.
Let her go TO New York, hide her real
identity so that no one will engage her
for the notoriety OF another society girl
goes on the stage and await the result.
III see that she is watched and will be
all right. The experience will do her
good"
The advice was followed. The Young
woman had ambitions outside OF a
chorus position. What she wanted 10
do was to become a leading woman
quickly. She haunted the agencies and
offices on Broadway with lots OF other
young women. In three months she was
home and glad of It.
Hundreds of young women have had
the same experience" said Mr.. Crane.
in speaking Of this young woman's
stage ambitions. They throw their
relatives into CONSERVATION by an
nouncing their intention of going on
the stage. The determination ia an
right, but the putting of 1t into effect
is quite another matter.
Little Chance Against 1000.
THE young woman without experi-
ence has little or no chance of securing
position nowadays. Managers do not
wish TO run the risk of intrusttnp he,
with even a small part. which. by beine
badly played, may help mar an effec-
tive picture AT the present time there
are over 1900 disengaged professionals
in New York. What chance has a DIR,
without experience got when there are
so many to be had with lots of exna-
rience and training?
Not long ago a young woman with
stuge aspirations brought me a letteT
OF introduction from an old and valued
friend. She unfolded ali her homes and
ambitions, and seemed to be very much
In earnest. She said she had a good
home. 1 advised her to stick to II eivo
up her ambitions. and marry some good
man. She listened attentiveIy 10 all maj
had TO say. and 1t hurt her. Finally
she acknowledged that she felt / must
DO right, and she would take my advice.