The Footlights or the Farm

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Margaret is the pretty daughter of a farmer. She becomes stage-struck and decides to go to New York to begin a career. Her young sweetheart is informed of her intention and is heartbroken at the intelligence. Margaret reaches the great city and has the usual experience of a great many young girls who start to climb the ladder of fame in the great metropolis. It is some time before anyone is attracted to her, but finally she is engaged by a manager to play a leading part. It is necessary for her to spend nearly all of her savings for wardrobe, but Margaret is not daunted by this, as visions of stage triumphs flit before her eyes. The great day of the first rehearsal arrives about a month or so after her engagement. Margaret reports for rehearsal. On the stage are gathered a number of persons, actors and stage attachés, and at his table near the footlights sits the stage director accompanied by the stage manager. Margaret stands waiting for her part to be given out, but is dumbfounded when no part is passed to her and her name is not called. She finally musters courage and steps up to the stage director, only to learn that he has never heard of her and that another young woman, an actress of experience, is about to rehearse the part. While the stage director is very sorry, he can do nothing in the matter. Margaret leaves the stage with saddened heart. Her great ambition has received a damper, and her spirit is completely crushed. She no sooner passes out through the stage door than she almost runs into her country sweetheart, John, to whom she tearfully unfolds the story of her wrong. John is immediately inclined to go in and punch the stage director's head, but Margaret dissuades him. Finally he pleads with her to give up her stage ideas and come back to the farm. Margaret looks long into his eyes as if deciding between two careers. Finally John wins.