The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-06-03

ance we packed our bags and sadly
fitted back to New York The show
wouldn't do" and even the cleo
tricians knew there was no use trying
1t out any further.
What a "FrIend" Means.
Three weeks later l got my first
regular employment. 1t was think
Ing part in one OF the big broadway
successes Of the year. We played at
one theater 200 times. and during that
time ! played the leading woman;s
part three times. l resembled her in
face and figure. and had been made
her understudy. l got $40 week.
Let me say right here that was as
high as ever got.
In the spring four companies play.
ing this success were made UP to 20
on the road l was selected for the
company that was to play the south.
and my hopes rose high, as l felt sure
that | would be given the lead. When
the time for rehearsing came II
preached this idea OF mine to the man
ager. who was to take out the south
ern company.
Nav said he. "a friend OF IS
(the owner OF the show is going to
have that"
Why" I asked. "You know the
part is made for me-"
\ know 1t is" he agreed. "and you
ought to have II. But l amt heard
no friend of yours putting in a spiel
for you. The new girl is IS friend:
don't you get me?"
DO you mean to say that influence
is all that counts in a case like this?"
asked.
1T counts enough to say that you
don't get no boost till you get some
pull" he said. You could get 1t
easy. too; you're young and look good
to me-"
1t cost me my job to tell him what
! thought OF him and the methods of
the owner. but felt better when It
was over Experience No. 2. The road
to quick preference was not one |
could follow.
Talent Not Key to Success.
So determined to make my talent
win me my way For the next two
months | had a series OF experiences
that disguised me. l sought employ.
ment steadily, but 1t was in the sea-
son when only cheap companies were
being given work. and the two posi-
tons offered me were so much lower
than the one 1 had just left that ]
could not accept them.
Finally ! went on the road with a
light comedy. My part was one that
htted me excellently. and made
something that resembled a hit II
cost me something in pride to do 1t.
because the leading man was drunk
every night and persisted in Fostering
me with his attention.
He said he would marry me as soon
as his wife got divorce. In the mean
time ] laughed at him and told him
to take his pleas elsewhere. For the
rest OF the tour he did everything he
could to spoil my scenes. but in spite
OF him ! came to New York with
something of a reputation
Too Old-Fashloned.
That was all the good il did me. !
Managers acknowledged that | was
competent far beyond the ordinary, |
and several OF them had good parts |
that were made for me; but what |
right had l to expect one of them? | !
wasn't a star. Who was putting in a
word for me? Where was my pull?
My only qualification was my abil |
ity to play the parts successfully, and |
that wasn't enough. This is not say |
ing that ability has not some small |
chance of winning recognition by |
itself on the stage. But my experience |
showed me that they are so small as !
to be the merest kind of a gamble. and |
that most opportunities for success |
are not gained in this way alone.
The landlady in my rooming house |
on Forty-eighth street put 1t all in a |
few words.
You're old-fashioned, dearie. and |
that's handicap in this business"
AT the end of three years of being |
an actress l sat down and began to |
figure up. i was then twenty-five |
years old, mature physically and men.
tally, and. by the word OF managers, |
a good actress. Yet / had never got |
beyond minor parts at a small salary;
had suffered-actually suffered-in |
the long periods between engage |
ments. and SO far as ! could see moth |
ing but some unforeseen STROKE of |
iuOh Nbulu bilHB me the advancement |
necessary for the chance of a success
full career.
Wrecks Of Youth and Hope
All around me were the wrecks of
youth and hope women who we're
hanging on because they hoped and
hoped for that stroke of luck to strike |
them. Beating them out in all lines |
OF the profession we're girls who we're
willing to pay any price for prefer.
cnce-and who were paying It, ] saw
before me years OF continued strug
giles, OF long waits between engage
ments when my savings would be
swallowed up, of constantly diminish
ing hope.
Was it worth the struggle? Was It
a sensible way for a girl to spend
her life?
These were the questions asked
myself. and from my experience there
could be but one answer-No!
] began 10 look around had espe.
cial ability only in one line. that OF
acting. / had tried that. and was
ready 70 throw 1t up AS I was max