Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-09-16

says II Is Hard Climb ~ SHOW
Circles.

-
Ezra c. walck. an Abilene boy
who has made good on the stage, is
in Kansas City and writes to the Re-
Hector from there concerning his
work on the stage. The papers every
where pick him out as an actor of
coming prominence. Several Of the
big papers including the New York
World say he is good as Maclyn Ar
buckle, which is a high compliment.
The Omaha Bee puts 1t this way:
"There is a sheriff, for instance,
whose part is played by Ezra G..
Walck. The latter, every bit as
stout as Maclyn Arbuckle in The
Roundup seems more than a mere
manhuhter in his role and gives to
the play that human touch so often
missing in melodrama. Mr.. Walck
scored a real success"
This Is his letter: while near
the old home and meeting friends
of mine; also some relatives, ! un-
derstand that there has been some
controversy between the city Of Abb
lene and some other city, and l am
led to believe, is the city of st. Paul,
relative as to where I made my de-
but in the theatrical profession. You
can positiely state that my first APP
pearance upon any stage was at the
Seelye theatre in February, 1901.
This time created new part in
new play of Miss Ella Wilson.
"You undoubtedly saw the write
UP the Chicago Tribune gave me
some weeks ago. The write-up stat
ed that had signed with the Stub
born Cinderella Co.." but as the peo-
pie that was working for last sea-
son, namely, The Kllmt G Gazzola
Amusement Co., Of Chicago, offered
me SIS per week moro than would
have received from the Stubborn
Cinderella people, released myself
and came back to the old home as
it we're, playing the part that orr
ginated three years ago, keeping me
in the part three consecutive years.
~ took a vow in leaving home
never to play my home town until
was with one Of the best, and as
my prospects now are so bright that
nv dreams may be realized within
the next twelve months, then, and
not until then, shall / return. To
start your way at the foot of the
ladder where there are thousands
waiting to put their foot on the
first round and gradually play foot
ball with them until you have finally
grasped the first landing and cling
ing to 1t with tooth, all your strength,
finger nails and long hair included;
and after meeting defeat at the hands
Of the managers, who would bid you
a kind adieu in the middle OF the
night, leaving you in the morning
with an empty stomach and remem-
ORANGES Of a nice home, hot break
fast. etc. After meeting several OF
these little inconvenience you nm
allv arrive at the second landing,
Here is an eager crowd awaiting you,
willing to take your hand and throw
you down again; then in course Of
months you struggle here, stepping
on peoples toes, putting their eyes
out, and saying gentle loving, unkind
things about each other, until finally
YOU grasp another hold; you lift your
head high in the air and take one
snort of good old Kansas air and
get ready to battle anew; and you
start up again. After traversing the
distance about half way suddenly
some one steps upon your fingers, ne
is coming down-there is the sad
part. You swing around the other
side of the ladder to let him pass;
YOU look after him with feeling
of sorrow and saying to yourself
there goes a has BEEN Then you
put on more courage and you glance
M and the end is not yet. You