The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05


scheme remarked theatrica press agent
who helps to exploit stars-for a consid-
GRAFTON. Each announcement invariably
means that n new financial angel has been
discovered 10 back the venture
There are dozens of men down In Wall
Street who wouldn't caro- to have search
light turned on themselves that have aided
moro than ono deserving young female
person to advance herself artistically at
the expense of several thousands Of dollars.
more or less | have seen many angels In
nv time. but few of them have been good
losers. Still. the first affair has usually
been productive Of plenty of money, though
as a rule an angel seldom backs show
moro than once, and II he does invest a
second time. he proceeds with lawyer
and extreme caution.
Il have In mind now the sad story OF
what happened to an angel l know, who
was interested, In a purely philanthropio
way, Of course. in the artistic advancement
of beautiful young chorus lady several
years ago.
The chorus person. whom we will call
Dotte because that isn't her name, adorned
ehe front row OF a Casino extravaganza
when the angel, having several out OF town
friends to entertain, bought soats for this
particular show. The seats we're well
down In front, and the dark haired Dottie
happened to spend most OF the evening
singing ohoruses on the side of the stage in
front Of the angel and his friends
The angel, who at that time had not
thought Of himself In an angelic light. was
SO much Interested In the dark haired
Dottte that he came again to see the show,
this time by himself This visit was sue
ceedsd by several others. and after several
weelY he began to attend the theatre
every night
Lest any one doubt his motives, may
add chat he Ia confirmed bachelor, who
had no Eighty tendencies and rather prlded
himself upon his sedate conduct and be-
havior. Gentlemen Of these traits, l may
observe, generally make good angels.
st didn't take the manager OF the COM
pany long to observe the frequency OF the
visits OF the prospective angel. and az this
particular manager made two or three
musical productions each year and always
with different hacker to furnish the money,
he was always on the lookout for available
flnanoers He had already run through
his list Of possible angels without encour-
aging results for new production which
he wished TO make In the spring, and he
rightly surmised that the nightly visitor
was attracted TO the show by some young
lady In the chorus
Proceeding very carefully. ne secured
formal introduction through a common
friend to the prospective angel, whose
business connections were Of such nature
that any attempt at informal acquaintance
would have beent lie The following night,
when tho manager again found the pro-
spective angel at the theatre. an invitation
TO supper ensued, and the angel was duly
guided to a lobster refectory in the white
light district.
Here half dozen girls from the com
pany. among them the dark haired
Dottie, had already installed themselves
at convenient tables. acting under the
direction Of the manager, who was In doubt
him-,lf as to the identity OF the fairy who
served as a magnet for his guest. This
doubt, may add. was dispeled when the
manager and his guest arrived and general
tntroduotions had taken place.
"A lobster refectory is no place to talk
about art, so it seemed quite natural for
sLe prospective angel to accept an invita-
<tun 10 O Sunday night social party at an
uptown Eat, where he again met the same
party OF oongenial friends. This function
led to similar affairs, and before he fully
realized it the sedats gentleman with angelic
tendencies was fully embarked upon a
somewhat hilarious voyage of midnight
suppers and Sunday night fat parties,
In which he behaved himself with marked
propriety, and was even voted dead one
by all the girls except Dotte.
For Dottie had talked OF artistic ad-
vanoement and the difficulties that beset
a girl without influence until the angel
had about decided to speak a word in her
behalf TO the manager himself. This he
proceeded ultimately to do. whereupon
the manager invited him 10 business
conference in his private Office the next
afternoon.
do you know began tho manager,
that girl Dottie is gifted with wonderful
talent. have noticed it myself
"'She seems TO be very sincere, hard
working girl replied the business man,
earnestly. She thought II you realized
how hard she is working you might ad-
vance her from the chorus
I'D like to, honest, replied the man
arer. But here's the situation: There are
three other partners with me in this show.
They have furnished the money to back
L. cannot make any changes in the cast
without consulting them for it would be
disoharging friends of theirs. See2
The angel saw that the only way a
man can acquire a pull IS to have a financial
interest, and he said so. The manager
cordially agreed with him.
Now, you take Dottie he said There's
a girl with genuine talent, who ought to
be playing parts Why could even make
real star Of her If had the money. Look
at Edna May-she was only a chorus girl.
too Why. Dot;ie is a dream when IL
comes to talent. II I only had the 1foney-'
And he paused for a reply.
He didn't get it that day, but when
the prospective angel repeated the con-
versation TO Dottie that young woman
proceeded to have mild Mysteries Of de-
light. coupled with fearful regrets that she
couldn't possibly have the chance because
she knew no one who would invest money
In theatrical production.
THE prospective angel thought It over
for a while. and a few days later asked
the manager Tor facts and figures about
making a theatrical production.
IT, dead easy said the manager.