The Washington herald., 1909-02-28
RY ONE nF THEM

NJ UNE Of hEA.
Charlie Hsrdupp needed work. He vas
by vocation a salesman. but there was
nothing doing in his line, his funds were
low, and his mesl-ticket punched fun Of
holes.
He was snxiously scanning the want
column the other day. when this ad. met
his eve.
wANTED-lm MEN AND LADIES APPLY
p stage door. Midway Thestsr. MONDAY. a. m.
shsrp.
Hsrdupp had never had any stage ex-
perience, but he surmised the nature Of
the employment offered and thought ne
saw some expense money ahead. II he ap-
piled for one OF the jobs.
Promptly al the time specified ne was
on hand at the theater where he found
a crowd OF men and women already as
sembled, with more coming every minute.
All sorts and conditions OF men we're
there-old and young, some shabby sen-
teel. others shabby. but not genteel: the
majority. however. well dressed and far
from appearing II needy circumstances.
The women were all young. or near
young. al neatly clad and some quite
modish in their toggery. A few pretty
ones were 10 be seen.
The stage was bare Of scenery and
looked ike a big barn An attache OF
the company TO appear that week was
taking the names OF applicants in q
book and after noting down each name,
he called out a number by which the man
was to be known In the rehearsals.
When a sufficient list had been made
UP (some sixty mems names we're taken.
the crowd was ordered 10 repair 10 a
large hail in smother part Of the build
ing. Hardupp was among the selected
ones.
After a short wait the stage manager
made his appearance 70 drill the supers-
This gentleman. Air. Buskin Bluff. was a
well-grooned, smooth-faced. and keen
eyed member OF the profession
He called out numbers and assigned to
some the roles of soldiers. others as
lords, others as peasants, and grouped
them on the sides Of a space supposed 10
represent the stage.
Nov said Air. Bluff, Il want 20 tell
you right OF that We have q heavy super
bin 20 pay here. and We expect everybody
20 work. Understand You've got TO work
every minute; no wooden men or back
ward ladies viii be tolerated. You've all
got TO be actors in this play. You must
forget that you are supers and act ali the
time IL you can't act, we'll let you 90
and try others IN your places that can.
ra-Er- CO.. Aha H-z4 at Thn
scene OF this act Is a chateau near the
town Of Nancy, France; the time, just
at the beginning OF the French Revolu-
ton. Numbers TO 10 are supposed to be
Royalist soldiers; numbers IS 10 q are
lords, aristocTats. and. turniag toward
several OF the women, You are titled Ia
dies in the suite OF his highneSs, the
Duke OF Chsmpignon, owner Of the cha
tesu and governor under the king Of the
surrounding district You men from
No. 2 20 % are starving peasants. mis-
erable. unkerpt- Don't any Of you wear
any collars tonight or leave collar hut
tons In your shirts. nor have your hair
smOOthed down. You must have your
shirts open al the neck and your hair as
tousled as you can make il.
You peasants have revolted against
your oppressors- mobiles You have
become desperate. have risen and at
tempted 20 destroy some Of their prop
erty-tried TO burn a chateau. but at this
time you have failed, been captured by
the soldiers, and are brought in chains
before the duke 70 be sentenced TO such
punishment as he chooses 70 infict You
must appear in attitudes Of supplication,
abject. inploring mercy with outstretched
arms"