The $500 Check — page 262: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BERT’S FIRST STAGE APPEARANCE 248 his social position were supposed to have im- proved. At the close of the performarce Orville in- troduced Bert to the different members of the company. ‘*Do you mean to say you have never acted before?’’ asked Mr. Pearson. ‘This is my first appearance on any stage,”’ sald Bert with a smile. ‘Then you have done yourself great credit. I was myself trained at Wallack’s Theatre, but had been a year on the boards before I could acquit myself as well as you.” “Thank-ou. I have done better than I ex- pected.”’ ‘‘ You more than filled Hazleton’s place.”’ ‘* Has he been long with you?”’ cc A year. 39 Bert felt this was indeed praise, that on fig first appearance he should have equaled a boy with a year’s experience. ‘Of course you will play with us the balance of the week ?’’ said Pearson. ‘* Tf you wish me to do so.”’ What salary will you expect 2” Gomichoo cS (E(@)