Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
was glad to slip OF her things ana

was glad to slip OF her things an
creep in between the curtains.
The train soon started, and the noise
died down, but the sobs continued, and
Beatrice sought to comfort the girl
you have been away from home
before" she reminded. You will get
used to it soon" Miss Stillings turned
and Beatrice put her arm comfortingly
about the others shoulders.
Its this way" explained Miss Still
lings. I've been on the stage ever
since | was kid. 1t amt that, but
this is the first time I've been away
from Jim since we married.
You are married!" said Beatrice I'm
surprise.
Almost three years." was the an
swer II married Jim Purroy. He's a
leader. Always before this we got a
show together. This year we couldn't
make it. | couldn't afford to travel
along with him. 1t would take all his
salary for fares and expenses, and
were building little home down on
Long Island. We've both got to work
until we get that built
But you have that to look forward
to-" suggested Beatrice.
Three years from now" assented
the other. Maybe we can get show
together again next season. but think
what it will be i'm the meantime You're
new. amt you?"
This is my first season. admitted
Beatrice. II studied for the profession
so l could get in a good company.
want to work my way up"
Mrs. Purroy nee Stillings) laughed
bitterly.
II had that idea once" she said
There's about one in five hundred
that works up to small parts. There's
one Edna May in about million cbO-
rus girls. / wish I'd had sense enough
to learn typewriting. l guess you don't
know how we live on the road"
You can live well anywhere for
what we get" contended Beatrice.
Mrs. Purroy laughed again.
You can live good on what you
think you're going to get But when
they take out fines and shoes and
stockings and gloves and things like
that it's Il different story. Say, Kid.
If you've got fellow that isn't on the
stage forget how nice it's going to
feel TO be Il second Bernhardt and get
busy with a wedding ring"
Mrs. Purroy quoted down soon but
Beatrice lay awake thinking of her
words.
This was all very different from
what she had anticipated. Her par
ents were not rich. but she was used
TO living well. and the whole reality
was very different from her anticipa-
ton. 1t seemed that she had only
fallen asleep when a pillow banged
against her head and voice announc-
ed that unless she wanted TO miss
breakfast she had better get up and
dress.
The dressing rooms at either end of
the car were filed by the early birds.
and there was long wait before
Beatrice could get TO the washstand.
and then her toilet was accomplished
under difficulties because of the
laughing, pushing mob of girls that
filed the place to overlooking.
She was sick and tired when the
train pulled into Washington. and the
girls were hustled across the street for
a hurried breakfast The breakfast
was distinctly bad, and as Beatrice
went back to the train shed, where
the ear had been attached to n way
train. she was bitterly homesick.
Her heart stood still as she saw
standing by the ratings a man whose
figure suggested Ben Streator, but
when he turned and Beatrice saw that
it really was Ben she gave glad cry
and ran toward him.
what are you doing hereW she
cried
II came after you." he explained.
Il met Mr.. Ratsey Il couple of days
ago. and II was he who suggested that
I come over He said he thought that
a night I'm the car would be all of the
stage experience you'd want. 1t will
be all right If YOU want to come home
with me. have it all fixed"
Homer" echoed Beatrice ben,
don't want ever to go way from home
again." and she smiled gratefully upon
Ratsey, who stood by the gate regard
ing them with "bess you. my chill
dren." air. HE was right One night
I'm the ear Is enough"