The Price of a Performance

Among the few who are able to stem the tide is the well-known Mattie Boyd Company. They have been playing to large crowds on the Sound and have been corresponding by mail and telegram with the railroad officials of Portland. A personal interview being necessary, Miss Boyd reluctantly left her company for four nights, went from Nanaimo to Portland, and conferred two days on the new laws. She has paid thousands of dollars to the northwestern transportation companies in her line of travel on this coast, and they are disposed to give her every advantage. She offered to charter a car at full rate if it could accompany the express train for her two tons of scenery, but it could not be done. She also tried to buy excursion tickets good for six months to extend her season from Helena to St. Paul and return, using the route on round trip tickets for the summer. The law demands that excursionists shall reach their destination in fifteen days and return at will. To do so, Miss Boyd would have to cancel all dates made ten weeks ahead and pay forfeit fees and other expenses contracted in various towns. After two days' worry, headache, and heartache, the Northern Pacific found they could not ship the devil around this interstate camp, and Miss Boyd was compelled to close the season or pay in full. In justice to her people, she chose the latter alternative and drew her check for $1,700. After paying $500 for 'Pauper's Slave' and 'Castown,' there is not much margin left for profit after deducting other expenses, yet there are people who want passes for no service rendered. Her company has been on the route for thirty-three weeks and never missed a salary day. Few managers could make such a jump as that from Nanaimo, B.C., to Pendleton, Oregon, laying off for intervening days. Miss Boyd will play at the New Market on her return trip in June with new plays and deserves all the good luck that can attend a courageous, conscientious woman.