Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-31

shortly after arriving at the mature age
of seventeen she had. through the medi-
alton Of former schoolgirl friend. who
had been whole year in the business
been presented to the favorable notice Of
the manager of a musical comedy COM
pany-one of those productions that APP
peal to the eye. and In a less degree I"
the ear but are not much concerned with
the understanding.
The manager had looked her over criti
cally. Her face. with its half comical.
partly turned-up nose. with its Irish
gray-blue eyes and fair complexion. was
very attractive. there could be no doubt
Of that. Her figure, though girlish. was
well proportional and entirely fit and
proper for the eXigencieS Of musical COM
edy costuming: she could hum a tune and
was very fond of dancing. These partiCu-
lars emnently satisfied all the most ex-
acting requirements. and in short order.
TO her unutterable delight, she had found
herself engaged for the chorus OF the
Land OF Nonsense" company at the
munificent salary of ST. week with
six changes of costume. all of which
were supplied free of charge by the man
agement.
Annie could scarce believe her good for
tune. It seemed as If her most extrava-
CANT dreams had been crystallized into
glorious reality. And. she had eX-
pected she found the work fascinating.
She was always early at rehearsals. Ex-
ira natinees served but to Whet her ap-
petite for more.
In the Land Of Nonsense company
each leading character mad understudy.
These substitutes were chosen on account
of ability which had already been
+. proved by the acceptable performance of
some minor part. Annie was well aware
that she had very little chance Of being
selected as the understndy of any par
ticular character. yet ii occurred to her.
in one of her exuberant moods. that If she
learned the parts of all the woman prin-
cipals. and thus. as 1t were. became a
second understudy for every female role
IN the cast fortune would have CON
siderahly larger opportunity of smiling
upon her. II seemed at first formi-
t,abe undertaking. bu: in reality was not.
Constant presence at all the perform
ances and close attention to the lines,
dances. music and business" soon en-
abled her to become fairly familiar with
each of the four roles contemplated in
her enterprise In the spare time at home
she supplemented her work at the theater
, and made herself letterperfect by copying
out the lines and reciting them to her
mothe critical and not altogether in
spring audience.
At first II did not seem that this meth
cd. arduous and somewhat desperate
though il was would accomplish the de-
sired result, though never for minute
1t CHANGED, however. that one night
when the production was in the midst of
very successful run. Miss Flossie Du-
pree. the company soubrette. had been
suddenly indisposed-a privilege peculiar
to actresses and prima donnas when ord!-
i nary mortals are either sick or ILL., II was
therefore up to- Miss Flosses under
study, a young woman who rejoiced In the
name Of Venus Lemonde. TO take the part.
. This particular young lady unfortunately
for the peace of mind of Abe Never. the
state manager had been subjected the
week before 10 what she rcgardd as a
highly indecorous and humliating call
ing down. right in the presence of all
! the ladies and gentlemen of the chorus.
She had, III fact. been chidden for ate
ness AT rehearsals. and had further been
summarily fined two dollars. Therefore.
being already disaffected with her posi-
ton and prospects. AS she declared
through tears and having a much better
+ job in view Ia circumstance almost in
variable under the conditions). she had
abruptly terminated her engagement and
taken herself off in d huff. Thus whereas
/ the manager was in possession of "a prin-
cipa and an undsrstudy for every part in
the cast except one for that particular
part he had one at all
IL was already 80 o'clock TIE doors
had been opened. The lights were ur. Mr..
Meyer. a small. bald headed gentleman.
was fretting and swearing on the stage
behind the huge asbestos curtain. walking
nervously about in a maze or ropes. drops
properties and general paraphernalia A
messenger, who had been dispatched to