Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-11-10
JIMMY's PREPAREDNESS
By FANNY GRAY.

Jimmy Benton was usher in the Star
theater. He had been part way
through college, and had had to stop
because of the necessity to earn more
money. The first job he took had been
that of elevator boy in summer no.
tel, but when the summer came to an
end, he found he must try to get some
thing which would give him few
hours off each day for study. A play
wright, who had been staying at the
hotel and had become interested in
the ambitious young man had spoken
word for him in the Star Etheater,
and he had made good in his position,
SO that after two months he had been
promoted to be head usher. Thus he
could study a part of the time, and so
hasten the day for taking up college
work again.
There was more than one reason for
his application to work and his desire
TO make something worth while of
himself. Louise Drake, an attractive
and desirable young girl, was watch
ing his fight, and he looked forward
TO the day when he might ask her to
marry him.
For a while the work Of usher was
interesting, and listening to the plays
was good fun. But when a decided
success settled down for an indefinite
run. this became monotonouS. Having
an always active brain, Jimmy cast
about for some way to pass the time.
One day he discovered that he had
heard the stars lines so often that he
could anticipate almost every speech.
This gave him a thought of something
further to do. He would memorize
the part.
II was not very difficult, and having
accomplished it, he turned his atttn-
zion to the part that Interested him
most next to that of the star. 1t was
that of a young man who figured rath-
er prominently in the play, and was
more or less Jimmy's ideal of young
manhood. He became so absorbed in
it that he frequently found himself
standing before his glass, making the
gestures to fit the lines as he had seen
the actor do. At the end of the third
week. it seemed to him he must know
the play by heart.
One Saturday night, the young ac-
tor, a man named Langdon, was taken
violently i'll an hour before the per-
Torrance. His understudy had been
allowed leave of absence over Sun
day, and had just left town. How
could the play go on? The man in the
box office, who knew Jimmy and had
had many q chat with him about his
stunt Of learning the different parts,
laid a seemingly absurd proposition
before the manager and was criticized
for his pains.
Twenty minutes later, however, the
manager, In desperation, reconsidered
and sent for Jimmy. For half hour
he heard him say the lines, and then
asked him if he was afraid his nerve
would give out. Jimmy, inwardly
quaking, said mo" Then he was hur-
ried to a dressing room. The clothes
fitted, and someone came and made
him up"
The audience began to assemble.
Among them was a girl who scanned
the face Of each usher, evidently look
Ing for one she knew.
At last the bell sounded, the lights
slowly grew dim, and the audience set
tied itself for the first act, little know
ing that behind the scenes q young
amateur actor was waiting for his cue
with shaking knees and fast-beating
heart. The most thrilling moment of
Jimmy's life was at hand, and he felt
he could not go through with it. Stage
fright had seized him, his courage
ebbed away, and he leaned against the
scenery for support. The manager,
close at hand, alternately swore and
encouraged. The success Of his eve
ming was at stake.
The cue came. Jimmy, more dead
than alive, stepped out on to the stage.
And, behold With the first word OF
his part, all embarrassment departed
and confidence returned.
The curtain fell on the last act. ID
the dressing room the manager
grasped Jimmy's hand. BE in the Of
flee on Monday morning at ten o'clock,
and We'll talk things over. You're to
have the part till LangdOn gets well,