The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-05-21
ae-Aule-Team-Our Trade Mark.

in an off-hand manner that he would
make an appointment with the stage
manager of the Theater for a try
out.
Then he asked me If ! would object
to singing it to the manager just as L
had sung it to him. That sounded rea-
soEable. and so l acquiesced. and went
home happy. When l reached the theater
the publisher led the way to a stuffy
little cubbyhole. AS soon as my eyes
became accustomed TO the darkness /
saw before ne great cavern which the
publisher said was the stage. To one
side and to the front of the stage YVES
an upright piano Standing beside it was
what | believe is called a bunch light.
This shown down on a stout, good-na-
tured looking man, who was playing a
very pretty melody.
That whispered the publisher, is
So-an-So, the great composer
Il was properly impressed, and my
mind began To absorb the fact that
there were several other people on the
stage just then. One of them was a
nervous energetic man who appeared to
have everything in his charge. There
were two or three pretty girls down in
front. near the footiights, and quite a
few in the background.
Suddenly a thought struck me.
What are we doing here?' asked
the publisher, and he said:
why, were waiting to try out your
song
But not here, gasped. Not before
all these people Why. can't, I daren't
do it
ing over to US.
Now Mr.. Publisher he said. Well
try over the song
without a word the publisher handed
the words to the energetic manager, the
rest grouped themselves around the
piano. / stationed myself as close as
possible TO the broad shoulders Of my
friend. who took his place at the instru-
ment, and the trouble began.
Now my voice. as you know, sounds
very well in a tiny apartment, when l
am surrounded by friends and feel con-
fident of myself But here: 1 screamed
through two lines and then lowered my
voice and heard somebody say: Louder.
please at which l screamed again
BY this time 1 had absolutely lost
control OF myself My knees had been
shaking from the start. Now my hands
began, and 1 knew that in very short
space OF time my voice would follow
their example. Then. perhaps. the man
ager would shake his head and it would
all be over
Il made strenuous efforts and went on
singing. We were now well into the
chorus. I made another discovery. My
tongue was dry.
Pretty soon the dryness extended 10
the roof of my mouth. and if the pianist
had not Just then wound up with
tinal crash. I've no do'.ht I should have
made an undignifed spectacle of myself
crying.
AFTER all the noise I made it seemed
very quiet. and long way of l seemed
to hear 4 faint voice say:
That's q very pretty sons: l should
like 10 have it for the consideration OF
Miss -. Here she is now. Wiil you
sing IL over. Miss -?
Miss - sang it over. and il didn't
seem ike my song at all. The music
staring very hard just then al nothing.
l heard two or three voices repeat; II :
4 very pretty Song, and somehow Il
sounded Ike phonograph- fhen some
body said 'Good-bv.' and found NY
self at the stage door again. going out
=. We're YOU very badly scared asked
the publisher.
=, on mn nc. Not 4 biz. Only just
a little excited. Goodness, but 10" !
did scream. said 7
Screamed nothing. said the publish
CT. 1t was all ] could Go 10 hear you.
ana tie stage manager. forgot . ten
YOU. is somewhat deaf. so l doubt II
he heard you 81 all.
Here the friend who should have oeeo
sys,pa thetic. hut wasn't. chuokied-
And she chuckled.-New York SUM-