Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-29
Z LIFE--By Eve)y11 Nesbjt The


made IN those early days 10 master such clas-
sizes as came my way had been a sort OF men,
tai gymnastics which enabled me to secure a
sense of proportion, the one sense which spells
salvation to girl upon whom is lavished the
subtle hattery OF publicity. This, and my own
taste for healthy open-air life enabled me to
take normal view Of things. [ have always
loved the fields and the woods and every beast
that walks or cTeeps or crawls There are no
phenomena OF nature which are not beautiful
to me.
So when l am asked in what spirit I an
preached the stage and the career it offered
me, | say I approached the stage as l would
a virgin forest, with a bubbling sense of hap
piness IN the revelations which it would open
to me. | was not stage-struck In the accepted
sense. | never thought Of the audiences ana
what charm | might exert over them. | did
not anticipate huge triumphs In floral tributes
handed across the footlights, nor did I dream
dreams of laudatory newspaper notices |
was supremely Indifferent as to the position
| might occupy in the profession; It was enough
to me that should be one with the people of
the new world, privy to their lives. their habits
of thought and speech should be In It."
There came offers to me from all manner
OF people, promising me this and that succesAl
dazzling prospects OF distant fame were held
before my eyes. With the advertisement given
me by newspapers | should command high sal
aries, l should star, l should be the MOST.
ises, hghtheartedly given, came to me. and
remember that I not impressed. I was
only interested in the actual getting thsrN"
One letter from manager asking for my ser
vices at $40 week would have eclipsed all
other communications. was sane enouwh %
realize that a freakish notoriety was not de-
sirable from any point OF view.
The greatest advancement apart from an m
born desire for enlargement Of life. lnY IA
the very material fact that the stage nfe would
enable me to make a double income could
pose by day and appear on the stage by night
The dollars counted horribly, for had tasted
prtvation and was anxious to put myself a.
far distant from repetition as l could
I do not think that my mother WIS ovOrN
anxious for me to adopt the stage as my pro
fession. but fate was moving me inexorAblY N
the direction was to take.
Every day the new life became q more tan
gtble possibility, and when at length entnred
the unpromising stage door It seemed less of
new experience than an iDtYduction TO a
life with which was already k1miliar
| had letter from Mr. Marks, who was 4
theatrical manager. He was very anxious that
I should go on the stage and promised me that
he would do all he could to make me famous
These letters used to come addressed to ua
but we paid little attention to them but after
ward he wrote saying that he could get me a
position In "FloradorR" and some time later
through girl knew, met hirI and secured
letter OF introduction to John G. Fishell who
was at that time the manager Of the Flora.
cora company from thence OE,Eard the stage
became practical issue l overTuled mother'S
objections, and went with her one day to Ma
FishelPs office. He had long look at me. Ha
was pleasant genial man, blessed with
sense of humor, and he burst int a fit Of
laughter.
so you want to be an aotress7" he said with
mock solemnity. Il am running a theater, not
a baby farm. Why" he went on IF took
you in Floradora' l should have the Gerry
Society on my back. No, my child. can not
rob the cradle.
When got back to the Office Mr.. Fishell
asked me II l could dance. said yes" a
little fearfully. l had learned dancing at a
school IN Ptttsburg. He sent for a woman who
came to the piano and played.
The stage manager was keen on my coming
into the theater, but Mr.. Fishell was not so
enthusiastic and said he would let me know
THE fact Is" he said frankly, the only
chance Of your coming on the stage is for you
to be little reticent as to what your age f.
II you liSe to do this am willing to give you
a trial; lS1 can come tomorrow and rehearsa."