The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-09
UNDER THE aAsIN.
By AN OLD ACTOR.

never found such an exponent, and the
plaudits of the public could hardly be
controlled. Repeatedly must tho hero
make his Acknowledgements to his en-
chanted admirers; and as he did so, his
fine, manly face seemed to be suffused:
with intense Joy; and we'll it might for.
it was the first time that he had ever
taken the chief part in the play as Othel-
10 himself - !;
For many years I had known him init,
mately, Ayet I never knew his history;
that was his own. My first feelings
were to rush behind the scenes and con-
gratulate him on his grand success
"What" said I, ''are you not happy,
too?" and gazed almost thunder-struck
upon him rs he stood in dark, deep
thought, and then wiped his hand across
his great high forehead, as if he would
drive away some troublous memory. He
did not appear to notice my remark ut
first, but gradually he recovered his COM
posure, and addressed me in his usual
friendly manner.
''Do not be offended" said he, laugh
ingly, 'at my strange conduct. You
know we actors are sometimes strange
people. Our best friends themselves do
not know our inner life. Nobody ina
gines that we have suffering and deep
smarts, which we must always conceal
from the world. We must often laugh
when our hearts would break, and tho
plaudits of the public appear like death
knells to us. The public believe that we
only play with suffering; that we only
represent foreign misfortune, only give
them role which we have learned, with
more or less feeling, and that we only
feign love and jealousy, hate and de-
spair. But he who has seen behind the
scenes, as have, knows full we'll that
under the assumed appearance there is
the deepest earnestness, the most fearful
truth concealed. They do not think that
the laughing, fun-making comedian can
feel the pain of his sick child within his
own heart. or think upon his wife whom
he must leave upon her dying bed. Yes,
stage; we repeat nearly word for word
our own thoughts; we feel the same an
guish, the same pain, which we must ut
ter in brilliant words of poetry. And
will tell you myself the truth of what I
have just spoken, which took place in
my own experience. I was once an eye
witness to scene which can never for
get. An actor played the part of a ten
' der father, who related the death Of his
beloved child; and he became 80 con-
vulsed that he sank upon the stage dead.
He had, in truth, lost his only daughter
but few weeks before. The public
thought he acted mngnificently, and the
curtain fell amid the thunders of ap-
plause, on u corpse.
cit is TERRIBLE" cried, convulsivcly.
II can now imagine your own emotion
that seized you in Othello. But have
you the jealousy in your own heart that
you act out OH the boards?"
He did not answer. Gently he took
me by tho arm, and we walked silently
to his room. We sat down to supper,
but hardly a word was uttered. AT last
he turned again to the subject which we
had previously spoken of.
81 do not know" said he, elf know
the history of my youth I will try and
remember. L have told you, I.'think,
that am descended from poor parents,
and grew up surrounded only by po-
verify and distress. Like the Moor, I,
too, belong to q foreign aud despised
race. Perhaps that may have enabled
mo to assume Othello's character easier.
I know not. But I became all actor.
My ambition has been gratificd to-night.
But l did not make myself. 1t was
Othello. Othello is IL part of my life
my existence-his love, his jealousy, his
light and shade are my own. You tell
me to relate my life. will.
'After many early years of wandering
in nearly all parts of the country, L
fount II regular engagement in the city
of -, where became introduced to
splendid society Of distinguished fell
low-actors, who had also engagements
there. 1t was both n Joy and n fortune
to belong to such mn establishment, and
, to be worker among snch representa-
tions rs we had there. Every actor ap-
peared to be inspired with zeal to do his
best, and the public rewarded us by full
houses and almost continued applause.
For me it was really the school of my
education, and I made such important
progress in very short time, that great
er roles were entrusted to me, although I
was only young beginner, and had not
won the name which afterward brought
misfortune.
"Our director was an excellent charac-
~ player, and he interested himself for
As much rs he could, giving me every
to enrich my repertoire and