The Washington herald., 1906-11-25

Vltlng chinks of the lonely cabin perched
way Up on the mountains crest. The
wind whistled and shrieked in falsetto
tones that penetrated to the bone. Every
one who listened to the slamming Of the
door and shutters and watched the sway
ing Of the calico bed curtains hoped that
all would be well that night, and yet
dramatic interest provoked an ardent de-
sire that something would happen. It
was not long before one Of the greatest
billiards which ever swept the Sierras
was in full blast on the stage OF the
Belasco Theeter. The very opening Of
the door sent the shivers down ones
back. Without was the ice. the biting
wind, the posse with its guns, which
did not hesitate to loudly proclaim their
thirst for prey in the person Of Ramarrez,
the road agent. Inside the cabin was
light and warmth and humanity idealized
by love into its highest type. The Girl
was nature itself as God made il She
spoke her mind. her heart, her soul IN a
fashion which would make those stran-
gers TO their Creator seek the comfort Of
His omnipotence. What a sham life in
the East seemed to be! This Girl, with
her red dress and honest face, was true
womanhood in all its reality.
n a little while it was all over. The
tense dramatic climax had been passed.
and the Girl played poker, winning
herself and the other man by way of
stakes. Flushed with the excitement Of
Jhe scene and affected by the number OF
curtain calls, the Girl. in the person Of
Blanche Bates, hastened through the
fallen snow to her cosy dressing-room,
where she had an alcohol rundown and
prepared for the schoolroom scene. Her
COlored maid, Carrie, who has been with
her for seven years, showed her the let
ters, teIegrams, and packages which had
arrived earlier in the evening. for Up TO
that time the star had been too busy TO
notice such things Mr.. Belasco had
thcughtfully provided a breathing spell.
so that the Girl might recuperate from
the tremendous ending OF the second act.
Miss Bates was in high good humor.
on the stage she is more like a school
girl on a holiday than anything else. Those
connected with the Belasco love her for
her simplicity and lack OF affectations.
She IS one Of the few Of whom IL may he
truly said that success has in no way
turned her head. Every year when she
begins her New York engagement Mr.
Beiasco offers her the use of three or four
dressing rooms. but she modestIy reserves
only one for her own use. She dresses
with the greatest simplicity and celerity.
her one desire being to get out and take
the fresh air as soon as possible after her
work IS done
How fortunate I am to find you alone"
7 said, by way of greeting.
Miss Bates looked at me quizzlcaIIy
and said, Now, please don't commence
10 joke. So much has been written and
said about the life of the actress. her
sUppers, admirers. &C, that believe even
you follow the public idea. You know
my life how simple it is, and how COM
pletely without all the glamour which
the uuinitiaJed would throw about IT, You
have seen me leave the theater at night
after the performance. You didn't no.
Jice even one or two admirers who were
waiting for me, did you?" Upon my an
swering IN the negative. she continued.
What a glorious and altogether impos-
sible existence actresses would lead if
We followed the routine outlined for us
by the press and those who think that
the stage is sort of fairy land Il is
more Ike a gold mine 10 me. and we
are most Of Us haTd-working miners with
pick and shovel, straining every muscle
in our bodies and ever waiting for the
real thing. Yes, it's like that to me
Once In while 1 60 to a matinee or
shopping or take a drive Sometimes I
Join my closest friends for a bite Of sup
per after the play. but this is very un-
usual. since I am generally in "a hurry TO
get home. Such is my life. There are
none or the champagne suppers and lob
sJer parties with automobile rides in the
park afterwaTd. I have to take care Of
myself, for in this profession health plays
an important part. Actresses are no
stronger physically than other women.
out IL Is very seldom that we hear Of an
actress being unable TO appear. There is
much IN realizing that what is 10 be done
must be so, That is half the battle.
Many times have felt too I'll to report
az the theater, but it was Inevitable and
somehow always managed TO get
through.
Did I seem in my usual spirits this
evening? I am so glad YOU did not no
tee that I had been CRYING
Look at my eyes, how red and eu-oJla,
Ihey are All because of Nine. Butter
fly You see L feel things so keenlv. They
enter my soul somehow, but I tboupbt
was safe in hearing PuccInis onera Tor
have played the story so often and know
every turn IN the heart interest 7 felt
that 1 must see and hear the new Nine
Butterfly. who I had heard was so
charming. Well, I went and I cried my
eyes out, with the result that bava q
splitting headache. You wouldn't think
Il; oh, no. but I have. You see headaches
are nothing when one must act Oh the
beautiful opera, Nine. Butterfly I shall
never forget it. When Cho Cho San stood
by the window and watched for the nus
band who never came, the exquisite
music without words seemed to express
eli the hope, the longing, the despair
Of the deserted one. A single word would
have ruined it all, but one had time 10
think and to listen. and the pathos Of the
scene was more than human endurance
could stand. used up my handkerchief
and the lace on my muff to dry my eyes,
and then couldn't stop
Perhaps shouldn't say this, but Nine.
Butterfly is my favorite Of all the roles 1
have ever played
What of 70 San in The Darling Of
the GodsP
''Oh. she was altogether different. She
was all japanese, and such a thing as a
twentieth century person putting her