The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-05-22
Hanging First
Impressions.
By LULU JOHNSON.
laohoAoHoaotoo aoaoAoAoAo,
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

Literary Press.
SsoAoAoAoAoAoOaoAoaOaoaoAS
Until Nettie Joined the Moonlight
Maiden company Dick Grantley had
never given a derogatory thought to
his padded stomach and his chin beard.
They were simply parts Of his funny
makeup, like the great grease paint
and the long haired wig which COM
pleted his resemblance to the German
character type found only upon the
stage.
In fact Grantley had been rather
proud Of his makeup. There were GER
tain little tricks and articles which
the other comedians did not seem to
know and which completed his ludi-
crous appearance. Grantley rarely left
the dressing room without taking a
self satisfied glance at himself In the
mirror .-.-..,., s7~-
But Nettie's coming had changed all
that. A score of chorus girls had
come and gone since the company had
opened, and their presence or absence
had not affected Grantley at all AS
the comedian he was not called for
the rehearsals held for the benefit of
the new girls. The stage manager
drilled them In their songs and dances,
and 1t was not always that Grantley
noted a new face In the chorus ranks.
But Nettie Bladen was different
from the rest. She was an ambitious
girl, with a desire to take her place
some day among the principals. Her
fresh young voice rang true to key,
and she did not go through her work
with the mechanical dizziness displayed
by the other girls. Grantley, coming
on the stage for his first entrance,
glanced up and down the chorus line
to discover the identity of the girl
whose clear soprano, held the others
together.
AS they were waiting for the next
big entrance Grantley spoke to Nettie.
He uttered only few words Of self
introduction and a bald remark In
praise of her voice, but in so doing he
stamfnered like schoolboy, glad that
the heavy coat of paint hid his bushes.
Even in that brief moment he had
fallen in love, and love was new SEN
sation to the comedian.
Nettie smiled her thanks and then
rushed off with the other girls. leaving
Grantley to follow more slowly, as his
part demanded.
Even the other members of the cast,
who usually were intent only upon
their own work, noticed that Grantley
tonight was exerting himself to do his
best, and various were the speculations
as to the cause. Perhaps he had a
friend "out front" This was the east
est and therefore the accepted solution.
But Grantley knew he was playing to
the new chorus girl. while Nettie was
spending every moment she could spare
from her changes Of costume in watch
ing the show that she never would see
in its entirety. Once or twice a sup
pressed laugh from the wings meant
more to Graptley than the roar of ap-
plause from the audience, and as they
were all waiting for the last act cur
what do you think of the show?"
he demanded.
"It's splendid" was the enthusiastic
response. II think you ought to be on
Broadway with theater Of your own"
Thinking that has spoiled a lot Of
good men," answered Grantley, with a
shake Of the head, but he was none the
less pleased with her praise. and there
was warm glow about his heart the
rest Of the evening.
After that Grantley saw much of
"the newest gin," as the others called
her. There were several moments in
the play when they stood on the same
side Of the stage waiting for cues, and
1t was always to Nettle that Grantley
directed his conversation. though the
other actors crowded around. enjoying
the fun. Grantley. for all he headed
a cheap company, was a comedian at
heart as we'll as by training, and be
could give humorous twist to the
most serious of statements.
Though they became fast friends,
weeks passed before Grantley put his
fate to test. They were making a long
railroad jump, and Grantley. passing
through the day coach given over to
the chorus. dropped into the seat be-
side Nettie, whose chum. Bessie New.
ins. was restlessly pacing the aisle.
"It's funny place for proposal
he said abruptly. but there is such a
racket In the car that no one can hear
what the others are saying. Besides
you won't give fellow chance to
catch you without that everlasting
Bessie Neyins along. love you. Net
tie. and ] want you to marry me. VIII
you. dearl"