Midsummer Night's Dream,
and now I am reading As
You Like It.
December 4, 1865
I heard some exciting news at the theatre today. John Wilkes Booth's brother Edwin Booth is returning to the stage! People have convinced him that he should not have to pay for the crimes of his brother by giving up his career as an actor. So in January he will
55
perform
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare at the Winter Garden Theatre.
Mrs. Wood says that Shakespeare is the greatest writer who ever lived, that
Hamlet
is the greatest play ever written, and that Edwin Booth is the greatest actor of our time.
I think I
must
find a way to see Edwin Booth in this play!
December 5, 1865
I asked Jed about going to see Mr. Edwin Booth play
Hamlet.
He said he would inquire at his newspaper about tickets.
December 9, 1865
Another show is opening at the theatre next week. Mrs. Wood asked if I could please come in early tomorrow to help organize the
56
new costumes. I guess I am now an official dresser at the Olympic Theatre!
December 11, 1865
I asked Jed if he had had any success getting tickets for Edwin Booth's
Hamlet.
He said it had slipped his mind! I asked him to please try to remember, as everyone at the theatre is talking about this event.
December 14, 1865
I have saved enough from my wages to buy Christmas presents for everyone. I am giving Pa a pair of gloves; Jed, a new pen; Jane Ellen, a red scarf; and Baby Abe, a rag doll.
[Image: Two American flags.]
57
I asked Jed again about seeing
Hamlet.
He said many people wanted to see the play, and it is extremely difficult to get tickets. I asked him to please, please keep trying.
December 23, 1865
Jane Ellen and I went shopping for our Christmas dinner today at Washington Market. I have never seen anything like it!
Every day, farmers bring their produce from the countryside to the market. Hundreds of beef carcasses hang from hooks in the ceiling. Butcher counters are piled high with ducks, turkeys, and chickens. Women carry baskets filled with breads, pastries, and muffins.
There seems to be much more food in the land since the war has ended.
58
Christmas Eve
We awoke this morning to a blanket of snow all over the city. I was delighted -- I thought we were surely going to enjoy a beautifully white Christmas.
The beauty lasted only a short while, though, for soon it began to rain. The cold rain washed away the snow, and now our street looks dirty and bleak again. I fear our first Christmas in New York will be a bit dreary.
December 25, 1865
Christmas Day
I was wrong. Our first New York Christmas will not be dreary at all. We awoke to a beautiful Christmas morning. It is like a soft,
59
spring day in the middle of winter. Pa said it is our Christmas gift from the Lord.
Later
I am happier than I can say. I have been given a priceless treasure.
This evening, when it came time to open our Christmas gifts, Jed and Jane Ellen handed me a big box wrapped in green paper.
Everyone watched as I opened the box. Inside, I found a great nest of crumpled newspaper. Buried in the newspaper was a brown envelope.
I opened the envelope and pulled out a small slip of paper.
I stared at the slip of paper for a long moment before I realized what it was: a ticket to the Winter Garden Theatre for the evening
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of January 3. That is the night Edwin Booth returns to the stage in
Hamlet!
I am going to see
Hamlet!
Hooray! Hooray!
December 26, 1865
Tonight I asked Mrs. Wood if I might be excused from my duties as a dresser to see Edwin Booth perform
Hamlet
next week. I told her my brother had given me a ticket as a Christmas gift.
Mrs. Wood said my brother must be a very important person, as tickets are almost impossible to get! She said that for such a special event, she would certainly arrange for someone to cover my duties backstage.
[Image: Two American flags.]
61
New Year's Day
Pa got dressed in his best clothes today. I asked if he had a job. He said, "No, I am just going calling."
Pa going calling?
January 2, 1866
There was a very unkind article in one of the papers today about Mr. Edwin Booth. The writer thought that rather than playing in
Hamlet,
he should play in
Julius Caesar
-- as the person who murders Caesar!
This is mean and unkind. Mr. Booth never supported the South and even retired from acting when the President was assassinated. I hope he is not booed when he appears onstage tomorrow night.
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Tonight I will finally wear my lacy yellow dress. I had been saving it for a special occasion. Jane Ellen and I spent much of the day working on it. I have grown so much taller in the past nine months that we had to let out what we had taken up last spring!
Later
Jed and I are at the Winter Garden Theatre. Hundreds of people are crowding to get inside. Women are wearing gold powdered wigs and jewels. Men are in their finest coats and hats. This is clearly a great occasion. We must hurry now to get to our seats.
[Image: Two American flags.]
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I am finally settled in my seat. But I must put away my writing now, as the play is about to begin.
Later
It is near midnight. I am home. I have had an astonishing experience. I will try to write about it tomorrow.
January 4, 1866
I will now try to describe what happened last night.
I saw Mr. Edwin Booth perform
Hamlet
at the Winter Garden Theatre. He was not booed. In fact, people cheered and cheered when he
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appeared onstage. They waved handkerchiefs and threw bouquets of flowers.
Mr. Booth took a deep, deep bow. When he stood up, there were tears in his eyes. Then he went on to perform the play.
There was an entire castle onstage. There was a ghost, and soldiers, and much fighting with swords. And in the center of it all was Mr. Edwin Booth.
Mr. Booth did not shout or wave his arms as many of the players did. And even though he sometimes spoke the poetry of Shakespeare very softly, I understood every word.
I was so sad when he was killed that I cried and cried. But when he came out for his curtain call, I wept for joy that he was not really dead.
I wish life could be like that.
[Image: Two American flags.]
65
I have been reading
Hamlet
in Jed's Shakespeare book. As I read it, I see and hear Mr. Edwin Booth, over and over.
January 8, 1866
I am weeping again. I just read the words spoken over Hamlet when he dies.
"Goodnight Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." Isn't that beautiful?
January 9, 1866
This morning, I talked with Jed about why Mr. Edwin Booth is such a great actor. I reminded him that when President Lincoln gave his speech at Gettysburg, a magazine said he had spoken "from the heart to the heart."
66
That is what I believe Mr. Edwin Booth does onstage. When he performed
Hamlet,
I felt I always knew exactly what he was thinking and feeling. He spoke directly from his heart to mine.
January 10, 1866
I think I am in love with Mr. Edwin Booth. I cannot s
top thinking about how he looked in his black costume, and how he walked, and how he spoke. He is surely the greatest actor who has ever lived.
January 13, 1866
There was an engraving of Edwin Booth on the cover of
Harper's Weekly
newspaper today.
He has dark, wavy hair, sad eyes, and a
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strong nose. He looks very thoughtful. I wonder, I wonder what he is thinking about.
January 15, 1866
I have noticed that Mrs. Edmonds is staying longer and longer after Charles's lessons. Today she and Pa sat together in the parlor for almost an hour.
After she left, Pa went to his room and played his violin until Jane Ellen called him to supper. His music was joyful and spirited.
Could Pa's feelings about Mrs. Charles Edmonds be like mine for Mr. Edwin Booth?
January 18, 1866
I spoke to Jane Ellen about Pa and Mrs. Edmonds. She thinks it is good for Pa to have
68
a lady friend. She said he must be very lonely. I told her he shouldn't be lonely, that our house is filled with people. She said there were many ways to be lonely.
January 20, 1866
I have been thinking about Pa's loneliness. Perhaps Jane Ellen is right. I myself have sometimes felt very lonely, even in our crowded little home.
I am sure Edwin Booth has felt terrible loneliness in his life. I can tell from the sadness in his eyes.
January 23, 1866
I have done a bold thing. I have written a letter to Mr. Edwin Booth. Here is what I said:
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Dear Mr. Booth,
I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing you perform
Hamlet
at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 3. I feel your performance changed my life.
I am concerned that you might be feeling lonely and sad. I heard that you had retired from acting because of your brother John. I am very glad you changed your mind. I believe President Lincoln would be glad, too.
If you would like to correspond with someone who understands your loneliness, I would very much like to hear from you.
Yours most sincerely,
Virginia Dickens
[Image: Two American flags.]
70
It has been nearly a week since I wrote to Mr. Booth. I still have not received a reply. But I know he is very busy.
January 30, 1866
Last night Pa played at a very fancy charity ball for the Nursery and Children's Hospital. Mrs. Edmonds had helped to organize the event. The conductor of the orchestra was an acquaintance of hers, and last week she arranged for Pa to play his violin for him.
The conductor said Pa is very talented and hired him on the spot. He even said he might have more jobs for Pa in the future.
Mrs. Edmonds and Charles went to hear Pa play at the ball. Afterward, they all went out for ice cream! I will admit I was a bit jealous
71
when Pa told me this. But when I thought about Pa's loneliness, I calmed down.
I wonder: Are Mrs. Edmonds and Charles lonely, too?
February 5, 1866
Another play opened in the theatre today. It is called A
New Way to Pay Old Debts.
There are only five actresses, so I will not have to work nearly as hard getting everyone dressed.
February 6, 1866
Today when Mrs. Edmonds was here with Charles for his lesson, she spoke very sweetly to me. She said, "Your father always says such nice things about you, Ginny. I hope we can get to know each other better."
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I wonder when Pa says these nice things. Does he call on Mrs. Edmonds a lot?
February 7, 1866
Pa is growing a beard! At first I thought he had just forgotten to shave for a few days. But when I asked him about it, he said he had been the only man in the charity ball orchestra who did not have whiskers. He thinks the beard might bring him luck.
I think he will look very handsome. But I will miss seeing the dimple in his chin.
February 11, 1866
Nearly three weeks, and still no answer from Mr. Booth. He must get many letters from people who admire his talent. I imagine it takes him quite a while to answer them all.
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Today is President Lincoln's birthday. He would have been fifty-six years old today.
I once read that President Lincoln grew his beard because a little girl told him he would look more handsome if he had a beard.
I wonder if Mrs. Charles Edmonds has anything to do with Pa's whiskers.
February 16, 1866
Wonderful news! Today Pa was offered a regular job with the orchestra that played at the charity ball! Perhaps his beard has indeed brought him luck.
[Image: Two American flags.]
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An amazing thing has happened. I am so excited I can barely write. It is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in all my life.
Tonight I am to have a part onstage! I shall perform the role of Waiting Woman in the play A
New Way to Pay Old Debts.
Here is how this came about:
When I arrived at the theatre tonight, I learned that the actress who normally plays Waiting Woman had come down with a terrible case of laryngitis. She cannot speak above a whisper.
The Waiting Woman actress is very close to my height and size. When I heard about the situation, I spoke right up. I told Mrs. Wood that the Waiting Woman costume fit me perfectly and that I was sure I could perform
75
the role! The play closes in less than a week, and Mrs. Wood does not want to hire another actress for only a few performances. So she agreed!
I shall have only three lines, but Mrs. Wood says they are very important to the play and I must speak them loudly and clearly.
Here is what I am to say:
"Foh, what a smell is here!"
Then: "I begin to feel faint!"
And finally: "Sweet madam, keep your glove to your nose!"
Later
I am dressed in my Waiting Woman costume. I was very confident when I spoke to Mrs. Wood, but now I feel my confidence is leaving me. I wish Mr. Booth were here to give me advice!
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In less than an hour, I will be onstage. I keep saying my three lines over and over and over. Mr. Ponisi has told me not to worry, that he will be there to call out my lines if I forget. That would be so embarrassing! I pray, I pray that I do not forget my lines.
Later
I am terrified. I have never been so frightened. I thought writing in my journal might calm me, but it has not. My hand is shaking so badly I fear I will never be able to read what I am writing now.
I tell myself that there is nothing to be afraid of, but my heart will not stop pounding.
I must go now and stand in the wings and listen for Frank Wellborn to shout: "Ah!
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Better and better!" That is Waiting Woman's cue to go onstage.
Later
It is over. I am home.
My time onstage seemed to fly by. When I came off, I could not be certain I had spoken
any
of my lines. But Mr. Ponisi assured me I had spoken them all, and had done a fine job!
I am the happiest I have ever been. When Pa came to walk me home, Mrs. Wood told him I had the makings of a real actress!
When we got back, Jed, Jane Ellen, and Baby Abe were all asleep. But I insisted on waking Jed to tell him my news.
[Image: Two American flags.]
78
Tonight I shall have my second performance as Waiting Woman. I feel a bit calmer, but not much.
I know Mr. Booth has played the part of Hamlet many times. I wonder: Is he also nervous before he steps onto the stage? I think I shall write to him and ask him.
Later
I have completed my second performance as Waiting Woman. I was not shaking so badly, and I believe I said my lines more clearly.
&
nbsp; As I was leaving the theatre, the actress who normally plays the part whispered that I had done a good job. It is clear her voice will not return in time for her to perform again
79
before the show closes. I tried to feel sorry for her, but I am afraid I was too happy for myself.
February 24, 1866
Tonight is my final performance as Waiting Woman. Pa, Jed, Jane Ellen, Baby Abe, Mrs. Edmonds, and Charles are all coming to see me perform.
Last night, when I said the line "I begin to feel faint," I pretended to swoon a little. The audience laughed. I think I shall try swooning a bit more tonight.
Later
Just before I went onstage, Mr. Ponisi told me not to swoon when I said I felt faint. Still, I think tonight was my best performance yet.
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After the show, everyone met me backstage. Pa clapped and whistled when he saw me. Jed said I had done a very respectable job and that he was proud of me. Jane Ellen wanted to know if I had had any trouble memorizing my lines. Charles said he thought I was funny.
But Mrs. Edmonds said the nicest thing of all. She put her arms around me and whispered that I was absolutely radiant.
February 25, 1866
I have spent all this Sunday afternoon thinking of different ways I might have said my Waiting Woman lines. I believe with a little more practice, I could have been even better!
I am already wondering what roles I might play in the future. A new show opens tomorrow night:
The Count of Monte
Cristo.
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Unfortunately, there do not seem to be any roles for women my height and size.
February 26, 1866
Pa told me this morning that I did not need to work as a dresser any more. He is proud to be able to support us all now, I think, and wants me to spend more time on my lessons. But I told him that I do not want to quit my job. I love the theatre -- even if I have to work behind the scenes for now.
So tonight I will go back to being a dresser, until I am given another opportunity to go on the stage.
February 27, 1866
Guess what? Now Jed is growing a beard, too! But Jed's beard has never been good. It is
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wispy and thin and patchy -- not thick like Pa's or President Lincoln's. Jane Ellen hates it!
February 28, 1866
We have all been teasing Jed about his beard. Today I found this notice in the paper:
WHISKERS AND MUSTACHES!
One Dollar! Dr. Briggs's Grecian Compound is guaranteed to grow a beautiful set of whiskers on the smoothest face in five weeks. This wonderful discovery has been used by the elite of both Paris and London. Entire satisfaction given or money cheerfully refunded.
A Time to Dance-My America 3 Page 3