The Washington times., 1920-07-25

ment whether the vista of my future in British titled
society or the offer of A. NJ Palmer of real opportunity
on the stage gave me the greater thrill.
How vividly remember Mr.. Palmer's remark, mot
so bad, little girl; not so bad I'll engageyou"
Away scared into heaven Of delight. was to be
a New York actress. My head began to whirl; was in
the clouds but came back to earth again with rush
when the great manager sad Your salary to commence
will be nine dollars a week" Nine dollars and keep
myself could do better than that teaching the piano
in Philadelphia slipped my hand into the madres and
we crept of the big empty dreary place like two mice
that had been badly scared.
wanted to 60 back home right then but mother said,
"No let's 90 and try Mr. DAY. 1t the same thing
over again. only he offered little money but
oh so ttle-not enough to live and buy boot leather
We went home and didn't say word to any one about
our bghted hopes but became i'll with brain fever.
guess worried quite lot about that time One defeat
to the very young looks like disaster but the passing years
bring courage if you have any backbone.
When got well worked at my music and in between
whiles dreamed Dreams and some of the nice American
bows made love to me, and fear l hrted with them
Nothing cures the pangs of bghed ambition like little
harmless flirting, and soon found myself singing about
the house again. .
Once again Fate threw bouquet at me. John Russell,
the actor manager came to Philadelphia with company
He was producing musical comedy called Natural
Gas" The leading lady, Miss JEANNE Yeemans, became
ill., and heard that John Russell wanted some one to
understudy her. so, without word to any one, went
and saw him. He looked me up and down rather dis
dainfully thought and asked, "Can you singf Yes
Wel he said "Ive here to accompany you, and
suppose you don't pay!'' eyes, doF'
He seemed rather surprised at my selfcon6dence and
motoned me to the piano. Down sat and sang Tosts
famous song IBID Me Goodby and Co."
John Russell was just wild with delight: He had ex-
pected to have to send to New York for big salared
prima donna. He beamed me and offered me the
engagement there and then at sixty dollars week.
The sky looked very blue at that moment to for sixty
dollars week to the little music teacher yet out Of
short frocks, was fortune.
This was one Of the moments / referred to when 1
said to the Prince of Wales that didn't know whether
was happest when got my 6rst position the stage or
when learned that the man l was engaged to, Lord
Francis Hope, a real live lord. And now really
think this moment the happiest-the most Joyous
time in my life. really believe there are few girls in
the world who at period Of their young lives do not
entertain less secret longing to be an actress
Some Of course have sincere ambition in this yearn-
ing-they just think they'd like to be what they think
actresses arebutteres with all the world paying court
to them and all the nice boys wild them Others are
serious and feel that the stage holds genuine career for
them was Of those who didn I look upon the stass
as a merry adventure but something that would hit
me ND to heights wanted to reachfame, success for
tune and place in the world all my When John
Russell said engaged and that my salary would be
sixty dollars week would not have traded places with
Queen Victoria.